Modeling social cognition in alcohol use disorder: lessons from schizophrenia.

A better understanding of social deficits in alcohol use disorder (AUD) has the potential to improve our understanding of the disorder. Clinical research shows that AUD is associated with interpersonal problems and the loss of a social network which impedes response to treatment. Translational research between animal models and clinical research may benefit from a discussion of the models and methods that currently guide research into social cognition in AUD. We propose that research in AUD should harness recent technological developments to improve ecological validity while maintaining experimental control. Novel methods allow us to parse naturalistic social cognition into tangible components, and to investigate previously neglected aspects of social cognition. Furthermore, to incorporate social cognition as a defining element of AUD, it is critical to clarify the timing of these social disturbances. Currently, there is limited evidence to distinguish factors that influence social cognition as a consequence of AUD, and those that precede the onset of the disorder. Both increasing the focus on operationalization of social cognition into objective components and adopting a perspective that spans the clinical spectrum will improve our understanding in humans, but also possibly increase methodological consistency and translational dialogue across species. This commentary underscores current challenges and perspectives in this area of research.

Risk communication in cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: Risk communication is an integral aspect of shared decision-making and evidence-based patient choice. There is currently no recommended way of communicating risks and benefits of cataract surgery to patients. This study aims to investigate whether the way this information is presented influences patients' perception of how risky surgery will be. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Two-arm parallel randomised study and patients referred for cataract surgery were assigned to receive information framed either positively (99% chance of no adverse effects) or negatively (1% chance of adverse effects). Subsequently, patients rated their perceived risk of experiencing surgical side effects on a 1-6 scale. RESULTS: This study included 100 patients, 50 in each study group. Median (IQR) risk perception was 2 (1-2) in the positive framing group and 3 (1-3) in the negative framing group (p<0.0001). Risk framing was the only factor that was significant in risk perception, with no differences found by other patient clinical or demographic characteristics. CONCLUSION: Patients who received positive framing reported lower risk scores for cataract surgery than patients who received negative framing. Patient factors were not identified as significant determinants in patients' perceived risk. Larger longitudinal studies are warranted to further investigate.

The relationship between SGLT2 and systemic blood pressure regulation.

The sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) is a glucose transporter that is located within the proximal tubule of the kidney's nephrons. While it is typically associated with the kidney, it was later identified in various areas of the central nervous system, including areas modulating cardiorespiratory regulation like blood pressure. In the kidney, SGLT2 functions by reabsorbing glucose from the nephron's tubule into the bloodstream. SGLT2 inhibitors are medications that hinder the function of SGLT2, thus preventing the absorption of glucose and allowing for its excretion through the urine. While SGLT2 inhibitors are not the first-line choice, they are given in conjunction with other pharmaceutical interventions to manage hyperglycemia in individuals with diabetes mellitus. SGLT2 inhibitors also have a surprising secondary effect of decreasing blood pressure independent of blood glucose levels. The implication of SGLT2 inhibitors in lowering blood pressure and its presence in the central nervous system brings to question the role of SGLT2 in the brain. Here, we evaluate and review the function of SGLT2, SGLT2 inhibitors, their role in blood pressure control, the future of SGLT2 inhibitors as antihypertensive agents, and the possible mechanisms of SGLT2 blood pressure control in the central nervous system.

NOD2 Responds to Dengue Virus Type 2 Infection in Macrophage-like Cells Interacting with MAVS Adaptor and Affecting IFN-α Production and Virus Titers.

In pathogen recognition, the nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) and leucine rich repeat receptors (NLRs) have noteworthy functions in the activation of the innate immune response. These receptors respond to several viral infections, among them NOD2, a very dynamic NLR, whose role in dengue virus (DENV) infection remains unclear. This research aimed to determine the role of human NOD2 in THP-1 macrophage-like cells during DENV-2 infection. NOD2 levels in DENV-2 infected THP-1 macrophage-like cells was evaluated by RT-PCR and Western blot, and an increase was observed at both mRNA and protein levels. We observed using confocal microscopy and co-immunoprecipitation assays that NOD2 interacts with the effector protein MAVS (mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein), an adaptor protein promoting antiviral activity, this occurring mainly at 12 h into the infection. After silencing NOD2, we detected increased viral loads of DENV-2 and lower levels of IFN-α in supernatants from THP-1 macrophage-like cells with NOD2 knock-down and further infected with DENV-2, compared with mock-control or cells transfected with Scramble-siRNA. Thus, NOD2 is activated in response to DENV-2 in THP-1 macrophage-like cells and participates in IFN-α production, in addition to limiting virus replication at the examined time points.

Counter-regulatory RAS peptides: new therapy targets for inflammation and fibrotic diseases?

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is an important cascade of enzymes and peptides that regulates blood pressure, volume, and electrolytes. Within this complex system of reactions, its counter-regulatory axis has attracted attention, which has been associated with the pathophysiology of inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. This review article analyzes the impact of different components of the counter-regulatory axis of the RAS on different pathologies. Of these peptides, Angiotensin-(1-7), angiotensin-(1-9) and alamandine have been evaluated in a wide variety of in vitro and in vivo studies, where not only they counteract the actions of the classical axis, but also exhibit independent anti-inflammatory and fibrotic actions when binding to specific receptors, mainly in heart, kidney, and lung. Other functional peptides are also addressed, which despite no reports associated with inflammation and fibrosis to date were found, they could represent a potential target of study. Furthermore, the association of agonists of the counter-regulatory axis is analyzed, highlighting their contribution to the modulation of the inflammatory response counteracting the development of fibrotic events. This article shows an overview of the importance of the RAS in the resolution of inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, offering an understanding of the individual components as potential treatments.

Risk factors for therapeutic failure in adults with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection treated with vancomycin in a high-complexity hospital in Cali, Colombia.

Objective: To determine the risk factors associated with therapeutic failure of vancomycin in hospitalized adult patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Design: Case-control study. Setting: Conducted in a high complexity hospital in Cali, Colombia. Participants: Adult hospitalized from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2021, with MRSA infections with confirmed microbiological isolation. Methods: Cases were patients with therapeutic failure of vancomycin (mortality, poor clinical improvement, change of antibiotic used, early relapse, or persistence of positive blood cultures) and control patients were those who did not present failure. Significant variables from the bivariate analysis were included in a multiple analysis with an asymmetric logistic regression model. Results: A total of 105 patients were included in the study, 28 in the treatment group and 77 in the control group. The median age was 49 years and 59 (56%) of participants were men. The following variables: age (OR 1.034; 95% CI 1.007-1.061, p=0.011), osteomyelitis/ septic arthritis (OR 6.035; 95% CI 2.282-15.956, p=0.000) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (OR 5.971; 95% CI 1.321-26.979, p=0.020) were found to be independent risk factors associated with therapeutic failure of vancomycin. Vancomycin trough levels were not different between cases and controls (OR 0.976; 95% CI 0.911-1.044, p=0.478). Conclusions: When a multiple analysis was performed to control for confounding factors, only 3 variables were found to be significant and were considered risk factors for therapeutic failure of vancomycin in adult patients with MRSA infection: age, MIC, and osteomyelitis/ septic arthritis.

Clinical features of patients with hands arthralgia referred from primary care physicians to rheumatologists: A cohort study / Características clínicas de los pacientes con artralgia de manos que son referidos a la clínica de reumatología por médicos de atención primaria: un estudio de cohorte

Purpose: Early referral of patients with suspicious of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has an impact on prognosis. Our study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with hands arthralgia who were referred from primary care physicians (PCP) to the rheumatologist.Methods: A descriptive, observational, prospective cohort study was performed. We included patients who visited a PCP for the first time for hands arthralgia. Demographics and the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology criteria for arthralgia suspicious for progression to RA plus seven complementary questions, the time to referral, the pressure needed to provoke pain with an automatic squeeze test machine in the metacarpophalangeal joints of both hands, and the diagnoses established at the last review of medical charts from patients on follow-up were documented. The primary outcome was the referral to a rheumatologist. Results: A total of 109 patients were included. The mean age was 49.9 years, 81.6% were women. 30.3% were referred to the rheumatologist. The time to referral was a median of 38 days. The main clinical characteristics associated with referral to the rheumatologist were the “most severe symptoms are present after midnight” (OR=6.29) and the “difficulty with making a fist” (OR=3.67). An isolated “positive squeeze test of metacarpophalangeal joints” was not associated with a referral to the rheumatologist. Conclusions: Among patients with hands arthralgia who attended PCP, those with most severe symptoms after midnight and difficulty making a fist were more likely to be referred to the rheumatology clinic. Isolated positive squeeze tests are not a parameter for referral, it should only be performed if arthralgia is clinically suspected.(AU)

Objetivo: Derivar tempranamente a los pacientes con sospecha de artritis reumatoide (AR) tiene un impacto en su pronóstico. Nuestro estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar las características clínicas de los pacientes con artralgia de manos que fueron remitidos desde médicos de atención primaria (MAP) al reumatólogo. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de cohorte descriptivo, observacional, y prospectivo. Incluimos pacientes que acudieron con un MAP por artralgia de manos. Se documentaron criterios demográficos y de la European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) para artralgia con sospecha de progresión a AR más siete preguntas complementarias, el tiempo de derivación, la presión necesaria para provocar dolor con una máquina automática que comprime las articulaciones metacarpofalángicas, y los diagnósticos establecidos en la última revisión documentados en los expedientes médicos de los pacientes en seguimiento. El resultado principal fue la referencia al reumatólogo. Resultados: Un total de 109 pacientes fueron incluidos. El promedio de edad fue de 49,9 años, 81,6% fueron mujeres, 30,3% fueron referidos al reumatólogo. El tiempo de derivación al reumatólogo tuvo una mediana de 38 días. Las principales características clínicas asociadas con lo anterior fueron: «síntomas más severos presentes después de la medianoche» (OR=6,29) y «dificultad para hacer un puño» (OR=3,67). Una «prueba de compresión positiva de las articulaciones metacarpofalángicas» aislada no se asoció con una derivación al reumatólogo. Conclusión: Entre los pacientes que acudieron con MAP por artralgia de manos, aquellos con síntomas más severos después de la medianoche y que refirieron dificultad para realizar un puño fueron más frecuentemente referidos a una clínica de reumatología. Sin embargo, una prueba de compresión aislada no fue útil para la derivación temprana.(AU)

Clinical features of patients with hands arthralgia referred from primary care physicians to rheumatologists: A cohort study.

PURPOSE: Early referral of patients with suspicious of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has an impact on prognosis. Our study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with hands arthralgia who were referred from primary care physicians (PCP) to the rheumatologist. METHODS: A descriptive, observational, prospective cohort study was performed. We included patients who visited a PCP for the first time for hands arthralgia. Demographics and the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology criteria for arthralgia suspicious for progression to RA plus seven complementary questions, the time to referral, the pressure needed to provoke pain with an automatic squeeze test machine in the metacarpophalangeal joints of both hands, and the diagnoses established at the last review of medical charts from patients on follow-up were documented. The primary outcome was the referral to a rheumatologist. RESULTS: A total of 109 patients were included. The mean age was 49.9 years, 81.6% were women. 30.3% were referred to the rheumatologist. The time to referral was a median of 38 days. The main clinical characteristics associated with referral to the rheumatologist were the "most severe symptoms are present after midnight" (OR=6.29) and the "difficulty with making a fist" (OR=3.67). An isolated "positive squeeze test of metacarpophalangeal joints" was not associated with a referral to the rheumatologist. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with hands arthralgia who attended PCP, those with most severe symptoms after midnight and difficulty making a fist were more likely to be referred to the rheumatology clinic. Isolated positive squeeze tests are not a parameter for referral, it should only be performed if arthralgia is clinically suspected.

The Effects of Fucoidan Derived from Sargassum filipendula and Fucus vesiculosus on the Survival and Mineralisation of Osteogenic Progenitors.

Osteosarcoma is a bone cancer primarily affecting teenagers. It has a poor prognosis and diminished quality of life after treatment due to chemotherapy side effects, surgical complications and post-surgical osteoporosis risks. The sulphated polysaccharide fucoidan, derived from brown algae, has been a subject of interest for its potential anti-cancer properties and its impact on bone regeneration. This study explores the influence of crude, low-molecular-weight (LMW, 10-50 kDa), medium-molecular-weight (MMW, 50-100 kDa) and high-molecular-weight (HMW, >100 kDa) fractions from Sargassum filipendula, harvested from the Colombian sea coast, as well as crude fucoidan from Fucus vesiculosus, on a specific human osteoprogenitor cell type, human embryonic-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy coupled with attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) results showed the highest sulphation levels and lowest uronic acid content in crude extract from F. vesiculosus. There was a dose-dependent drop in focal adhesion formation, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of cells for all fucoidan types, but the least toxicity was observed for LMW and MMW. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), JC-1 (5,50,6,60-tetrachloro-1,10,3,30-tetraethylbenzimi-dazolylcarbocyanine iodide) staining and cytochrome c analyses confirmed mitochondrial damage, swollen ER and upregulated autophagy due to fucoidans, with the highest severity in the case of F. vesiculosus fucoidan. Stress-induced apoptosis-like cell death by F. vesiculosus fucoidan and stress-induced necrosis-like cell death by S. filipendula fucoidans were also confirmed. LMW and MMW doses of <200 ng/mL were the least toxic and showed potential osteoinductivity. This research underscores the multifaceted impact of fucoidans on osteoprogenitor cells and highlights the delicate balance between potential therapeutic benefits and the challenges involved in using fucoidans for post-surgery treatments in patients with osteosarcoma.

Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: Recent Updates.

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors have revolutionized the landscape for the treatment of hematological malignancies, solid tumors, and, recently, autoimmune disorders. The BTK receptor is expressed in several hematopoietic cells such as macrophages, neutrophils, mast cells, and osteoclasts. Similarly, the BTK receptor is involved in signaling pathways such as chemokine receptor signaling, Toll-like receptor signaling, and Fc receptor signaling. Due to their unique mechanism, these agents provide a diverse utility in a variety of disease states not limited to the field of malignant hematology and are generally well-tolerated.

Indocyanine green and iohexol loaded hydroxyapatite in poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone)-based composite for bimodal near-infrared fluorescence- and X-ray-based imaging.

This study aimed to develop material for multimodal imaging by means of X-ray and near-infrared containing FDA- and EMA-approved iohexol and indocyanine green (ICG). The mentioned contrast agents (CAs) are hydrophilic and amphiphilic, respectively, which creates difficulties in fabrication of functional polymeric composites for fiducial markers (FMs) with usage thereof. Therefore, this study exploited for the first time the possibility of enhancing the radiopacity and introduction of the NIR fluorescence of FMs by adsorption of the CAs on hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles. The particles were embedded in the poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) (P[LAcoCL]) matrix resulting in the composite material for bimodal near-infrared fluorescence- and X-ray-based imaging. The applied method of material preparation provided homogenous distribution of both CAs with high iohexol loading efficiency and improved fluorescence signal due to hindered ICG aggregation. The material possessed profound contrasting properties for both imaging modalities. Its stability was evaluated during in vitro experiments in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and foetal bovine serum (FBS) solutions. The addition of HAp nanoparticles had significant effect on the fluorescence signal. The X-ray radiopacity was stable within minimum 11 weeks, even though the addition of ICG contributed to a faster release of iohexol. The stiffness of the material was not affected by iohexol or ICG, but incorporation of HAp nanoparticles elevated the values of bending modulus by approximately 70%. Moreover, the performed cell study revealed that all tested materials were not cytotoxic. Thus, the developed material can be successfully used for fabrication of FMs.

Determination of 45 Pesticides in Avocado Varieties by the QuEChERS Method and Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Gas chromatography (GC) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) stands as a preeminent analytical instrument extensively employed for the surveillance of pesticide residues in food. Nevertheless, these methods are vulnerable to matrix effects (MEs), which can potentially affect accurate quantification depending on the specific combination of analyte and matrix. Among the various strategies to mitigate MEs, matrix-matched calibration represents the prevailing approach in pesticide residue applications due to its cost-effectiveness and straightforward implementation. In this study, a total of 45 representative pesticides were analyzed in three different varieties of avocado (i.e., Criollo, Hass, and Lorena) using the Quick-Easy-Cheap-Effective-Rugged-Safe (QuEChERS) method with ammonium formate and GC-MS/MS. For this purpose, 5 g of the avocado sample was extracted with 10 mL of acetonitrile, and then 2.5 g of ammonium formate was added to induce phase separation. Subsequently, the supernatant underwent a cleanup process via dispersive solid-phase extraction employing 150 mg of anhydrous MgSO4, 50 mg of primary-secondary amine, 50 mg of octadecylsilane, 10 mg of graphitized carbon black, and 60 mg of a zirconium oxide-based sorbent (Z-Sep+). The GC-MS/MS analysis was successfully performed in less than 25 min. Rigorous validation experiments were carried out to assess the performance of the method. The examination of a matrix-matched calibration curve for each variety of avocado revealed that the ME remained relatively consistent and less than 20% (considered as a soft ME) for most pesticide/variety combinations. Furthermore, the method´s limits of quantification were lower than 5 µg/kg for all three varieties. Finally, the recovery values for most pesticides fell within the acceptable range of 70-120%, with relative standard deviation values below 20%.

Fusariosis in Mexico: A 10-year retrospective series.

Fusarium species represent an opportunistic fungal pathogen. The data in Mexico about Fusarium infections in humans are scarce. Here, we present a retrospective series of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of fusariosis in eight different hospitals in Mexico from January 2010 to December 2019. The diagnosis of proven fusariosis was made according to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and the Mycoses Study Group Education and Research Consortium (EORT/MSG) criteria. A total of 49 cases were identified in our series. Most patients had burn injuries (49%), and 37% had hematological malignancies. Most patients had fire injuries (40%), followed by electric injuries (8%), febrile neutropenia (10%), and pancytopenia (6%). Patients had skin and soft tissue involvement in 49%, followed by blood culture isolation and biopsies from different sites of the body (lung, sinuses, bone tissue, and eyes). Febrile neutropenia (10%) and fungemia (8%) were the most common clinical syndromes in immunosuppressed patients. Most patients received monotherapy (67%), where voriconazole was used in 30% of the cases, followed by conventional amphotericin B (16%), and lipidic formulations of amphotericin B in 10% (either liposomal amphotericin B or amphotericin B lipid complex). Combination therapy was used in 20% of the cases, and the most common combination therapy was triazole plus any lipidic formulation of amphotericin B (10%). Mortality related to Fusarium infection occurred in 22% of patients. Fusariosis is a serious threat. Burn injuries and hematologic malignancies represent the most common causes of infection in this small series from Mexico.

This study describes the epidemiological characteristics of patients with fusariosis from a multicenter cohort in Mexico. These findings provide information from this invasive fungal disease that threatens different countries in Latin America.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Diagnosis and Treatment in High- and Low-Income Countries: A Narrative Review.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a hereditary cardiac condition characterized by unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy without a hemodynamic cause. This condition is prevalent in the United States, resulting in various clinical manifestations, including diastolic dysfunction, left ventricular outflow obstruction, cardiac ischemia, and atrial fibrillation. HCM is associated with several genetic mutations, with sarcomeric mutations being the most common and contributing to a more complex disease course. Early diagnosis of HCM is essential for effective management, as late diagnosis often requires invasive treatments and creates a substantial financial burden. Disparities in HCM diagnosis and treatment exist between high-income and low-income countries. High-income countries have more resources to investigate and implement advanced diagnostic and treatment modalities. In contrast, low-income countries face challenges in accessing diagnostic equipment, trained personnel, and affordable medications, leading to a lower quality of life and life expectancy for affected individuals. Diagnostic tools for HCM include imaging studies such as 2D echocardiography, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), and electrocardiograms (ECGs). CMR is considered the gold standard but remains inaccessible to a significant portion of the world's population, especially in low-income countries. Genetics plays a crucial role in HCM, with numerous mutations identified in various genes. Genetic counseling is essential but often limited in low-income countries due to resource constraints. Disparities in healthcare access and adherence to treatment recommendations exist between high-income and low-income countries, leading to differences in patient outcomes. Addressing these disparities is essential to improve the overall management of HCM on a global scale. In conclusion, this review highlights the complex nature of HCM, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis, genetic counseling, and access to appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Addressing healthcare disparities is crucial to ensure that all individuals with HCM receive timely and effective care, regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic status.

[Conocimiento de las madres de niños menores de 5 años sobre la vacunación en la Unidad de Medicina Familiar 1, Orizaba, Veracruz].

Objective: Determine the level of knowledge and acceptance that mothers of children under 5 years of age have about vaccination. Methods: Statistical analysis was performed using the GraphPad Prism statistical program. Absolute frequencies and percentages were estimated for the qual- itative variables, and measures of central tendency and dispersion for numerical variables. The level of knowledge and acceptance of vaccination was associated with the variables using Pearson's Chi-square. Results: The level of knowledge that prevailed was high (70.3%) and was associated with age (p=0.00), education (p=0.00) and occupation (p=0.03). The most frequent occupation was housewife (47.1%), the most frequent schooling was professional education (3.5%), the majority were married women (60.2%) and Catholics (81.2%). Conclusions: The null hypothesis of our study is confirmed, obtaining that 70.3% of the population has high knowledge about vaccination in children under 5 years of age, it was also found that this knowledge is associated with age, schooling and occupation of the mothers participating in this study.

Objetivo: Determinar el nivel de conocimiento y aceptación que tienen las madres de niños menores de 5 años sobre la vacunación. Métodos: Se realizo el análisis estadístico en el programa estadístico GraphPad Prism. Se estimaron frecuencias absolutas y porcentajes para las variables cualitativas, y medidas de tendencia central y dispersión para variables numéricas. Se asocio el nivel de conocimiento y aceptación sobre la vacunación con las variables mediante de Chi cuadrada de Pearson. Resultados: El nivel de conocimiento que predomino fue alto (70.3%) y se encontró asociado a la edad (p=0.00), escolaridad (p=0.00) y ocupación (p=0.03). La ocupación más frecuente fue ama de casa (47.1%), la escolaridad con mayor frecuencia fue educación profesional (3.5%), la mayoría fueron mujeres casadas (60.2%) y católicas (81.2%). Conclusiones: Se confirma la hipótesis nula de nuestro estudio obteniendo que el 70.3% de la población tiene un conocimiento alto acerca de la vacunación en niños menores de 5 años, además se encontró que este conocimiento se encuentra asociado a la edad, escolaridad y ocupación de las madres participantes en este estudio.

Chlorphenamine adsorption on commercial activated carbons: Effect of Operating Conditions and Surface Chemistry.

Chlorphenamine (CPA) adsorption onto three activated carbons (ACs), namely, Megapol M (MM), Micro 10 (M10), and GAMA B (GB), was studied in this work. The textural properties, concentrations of active sites, surface charge and point of zero charge of the ACs were assessed. The surface areas (SBET) of MM, GB and M10 were 1107, 812 and 766 m2/g, respectively. The MM surface had an acidic character, while the surfaces of M10 and GB were basic. The adsorption capacity of MM, M10, and GB towards CPA was studied at pH 7 and 11, and the adsorption capacity decreased in the order MM > M10 ≈ GB, which was ascribed to the magnitude of SBET and the concentration of acidic sites. The solution pH significantly increased the adsorption capacity of MM towards CPA by raising the solution pH from 5 to 9, and this behavior was attributed to the electrostatic attraction between the negatively charged surface of MM and the cationic species of CPA. The maximum uptake of CPA adsorbed on MM was 574.6 mg/g at pH = 11 and T = 25 °C. The adsorption capacity of MM was slightly raised by incrementing the temperature. Lastly, the zeta potential measurements of pristine MM and MM saturated with CPA confirmed that the electrostatic attraction predominated in the pH range of 5-9, and the π-π stacking interactions were the principal mechanism of CPA adsorption on MM at pH 11.

Paraventricular nucleus projections to the nucleus tractus solitarii are essential for full expression of hypoxia-induced peripheral chemoreflex responses.

The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is essential to peripheral chemoreflex neurocircuitry, but the specific efferent pathways utilized are not well defined. The PVN sends dense projections to the nucleus tractus solitarii (nTS), which exhibits neuronal activation following a hypoxic challenge. We hypothesized that nTS-projecting PVN (PVN-nTS) neurons contribute to hypoxia-induced nTS neuronal activation and cardiorespiratory responses. To selectively target PVN-nTS neurons, rats underwent bilateral nTS nanoinjection of retrogradely transported adeno-associated virus (AAV) driving Cre recombinase expression. We then nanoinjected into PVN AAVs driving Cre-dependent expression of Gq or Gi designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) to test the degree that selective activation or inhibition, respectively, of the PVN-nTS pathway affects the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) of conscious rats. We used immunohistochemistry for Fos and extracellular recordings to examine how DREADD activation influences PVN-nTS neuronal activation by hypoxia. Pathway activation enhanced the HVR at moderate hypoxic intensities and increased PVN and nTS Fos immunoreactivity in normoxia and hypoxia. In contrast, PVN-nTS inhibition reduced both the HVR and PVN and nTS neuronal activation following hypoxia. To further confirm selective pathway effects on central cardiorespiratory output, rats underwent hypoxia before and after bilateral nTS nanoinjections of C21 to activate or inhibit PVN-nTS terminals. PVN terminal activation within the nTS enhanced tachycardic, sympathetic and phrenic (PhrNA) nerve activity responses to hypoxia whereas inhibition attenuated hypoxia-induced increases in nTS neuronal action potential discharge and PhrNA. The results demonstrate the PVN-nTS pathway enhances nTS neuronal activation and is necessary for full cardiorespiratory responses to hypoxia. KEY POINTS: The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) contributes to peripheral chemoreflex cardiorespiratory responses, but specific PVN efferent pathways are not known. The nucleus tractus solitarii (nTS) is the first integration site of the peripheral chemoreflex, and the nTS receives dense projections from the PVN. Selective GqDREADD activation of the PVN-nTS pathway was shown to enhance ventilatory responses to hypoxia and activation (Fos immunoreactivity (IR)) of nTS neurons in conscious rats, augmenting the sympathetic and phrenic nerve activity (SSNA and PhrNA) responses to hypoxia in anaesthetized rats. Selective GiDREADD inhibition of PVN-nTS neurons attenuates ventilatory responses, nTS neuronal Fos-IR, action potential discharge and PhrNA responses to hypoxia. These results demonstrate that a projection from the PVN to the nTS is critical for full chemoreflex responses to hypoxia.

Binary fluoride and As(V) adsorption in water using pleco fish bone chars.

The present work studied individual and binary adsorption of fluorides and As(V) in water on pleco fish bone chars (BC), as well as the effect of BC mass variation on the adsorption capacity of fluoride and As(V) in water for human consumption. The results of individual adsorption indicated that the adsorption of fluoride and As(V) on BC depends on solution pH. The adsorption capacity of fluorides at an initial concentration of 30 mg L-1 increases approximately 3 times, from 5.9 to 15.3 mg g-1, when decreasing the pH of the solution from 9 to 5, however, for the case of As(V) an antagonistic effect is observed, the adsorption capacity increases 7 times when raising the pH from 5 to 9, from 18.4 to 132.1 µg g-1 at an initial As(V) concentration of 300 µg L-1. Besides, in the binary adsorption, BC showed a higher affinity to adsorb fluoride since its adsorption capacity decreased from 16.55 to 12.50 mg g-1 as the As(V) concentration increased from 0 to 800 µg L-1 in solution. In contrast, As(V) adsorption was severely affected, decreasing from 140.2 to 32.7 µg g-1 when the fluoride concentration in the solution increased from 0 to 100 mg L-1. On the other hand, in the adsorption of groundwater contaminated with fluoride and As(V), it was determined that increasing the mass of BC from 0.5 to 20 g increases the removal percentage, reaching 99.3 and 75.7% removal for fluoride and As(V), respectively, due to the fact that increasing the mass of the adsorbent leads to a larger area and a greater number of sites that allow the adsorption of these contaminants. The thermodynamic study revealed the spontaneity of fluoride and As(V) adsorption, better affinity for fluoride but higher adsorption rate of As(V) on BC. Characterization techniques such as XRD and EDS allowed identifying hydroxyapatite as the mineral phase of BC, which is responsible for the adsorption of BC. By studying the effect of solution pH on the adsorption capacities and the characterization of BC such as XRD, EDS and TGA, it was determined that the mechanisms of fluoride adsorption are by electrostatic attractions and ion exchange, and for As(V) it is by coprecipitation and ion exchange. It was concluded that BC from pleco fish could be an alternative for treating water contaminated by fluorides and As(V).

Effects of a high salt diet on blood pressure dipping and the implications on hypertension.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Salt intake has been shown to have a significant impact on BP, but the mechanisms by which it influences the blood pressure dipping pattern, and 24-h blood pressure remains controversial. This literature review aims to both summarize the current evidence on high salt diet induced hypertension and discuss the epidemiological aspects including socioeconomic issues in the United States and abroad. Our review indicates that a high salt diet is associated with a blunted nocturnal blood pressure dipping pattern, which is characterized by a reduced decrease in blood pressure during the nighttime hours. The mechanisms by which high salt intake affects blood pressure dipping patterns are not fully understood, but it is suggested that it may be related to changes in the sympathetic nervous system. Further, we looked at the association between major blood pressure and circadian rhythm regulatory centers in the brain, including the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and nucleus tractus solitarius (nTS). We also discuss the underlying social and economic issues in the United States and around the world. In conclusion, the evidence suggests that a high salt diet is associated with a blunted, non-dipping, or reverse dipping blood pressure pattern, which has been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms by which high salt intake influences changes within the central nervous system.