The Role of ZO-2 in Modulating JAM-A and γ-Actin Junctional Recruitment, Apical Membrane and Tight Junction Tension, and Cell Response to Substrate Stiffness and Topography.

This work analyzes the role of the tight junction (TJ) protein ZO-2 on mechanosensation. We found that the lack of ZO-2 reduced apical membrane rigidity measured with atomic force microscopy, inhibited the association of γ-actin and JAM-A to the cell border, and instead facilitated p114RhoGEF and afadin accumulation at the junction, leading to an enhanced mechanical tension at the TJ measured by FRET, with a ZO-1 tension probe, and increased tricellular TJ tension. Simultaneously, adherens junction tension measured with an E-cadherin probe was unaltered. The stability of JAM-A and ZO-2 binding was assessed by a collaborative in silico study. The absence of ZO-2 also impacted the cell response to the substrate, as monolayers plated in 20 kPa hydrogels developed holes not seen in parental cultures and displayed a retarded elongation and formation of cell aggregates. The absence of ZO-2 was sufficient to induce YAP and Snail nuclear accumulation in cells cultured over glass, but when ZO-2 KD cells were plated in nanostructured ridge arrays, they displayed an increased abundance of nuclear Snail and conspicuous internalization of claudin-4. These results indicate that the absence of ZO-2 also impairs the response of cells to substrate stiffness and exacerbates transformation triggered by substrate topography.

Coinfections and Superinfections Associated with COVID-19 in Colombia: A Narrative Review.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on healthcare systems around the world, including in Latin America. In Colombia, there have been over 23,000 confirmed cases and 100 deaths since 2022, with the highest number of cases occurring in females and the highest number of deaths in males. The elderly and those with comorbidities, such as arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and respiratory diseases, have been particularly affected. Coinfections with other microorganisms, including dengue virus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, have also been a significant factor in increasing morbidity and mortality rates in COVID-19 patients. It is important for surveillance systems to be improved and protocols to be established for the early detection and management of coinfections in COVID-19. In addition to traditional treatments, alternatives such as zinc supplementation and nanomedicine may have potential in the fight against COVID-19. It is also crucial to consider the social, labor, educational, psychological, and emotional costs of the pandemic and to address issues such as poverty and limited access to potable water in order to better prepare for future pandemics.

Advances in Genomic Data and Biomarkers: Revolutionizing NSCLC Diagnosis and Treatment.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a significant public health concern with high mortality rates. Recent advancements in genomic data, bioinformatics tools, and the utilization of biomarkers have improved the possibilities for early diagnosis, effective treatment, and follow-up in NSCLC. Biomarkers play a crucial role in precision medicine by providing measurable indicators of disease characteristics, enabling tailored treatment strategies. The integration of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) further enhances the potential for personalized medicine through advanced biomarker analysis. However, challenges remain in the impact of new biomarkers on mortality and treatment efficacy due to limited evidence. Data analysis, interpretation, and the adoption of precision medicine approaches in clinical practice pose additional challenges and emphasize the integration of biomarkers with advanced technologies such as genomic data analysis and artificial intelligence (AI), which enhance the potential of precision medicine in NSCLC. Despite these obstacles, the integration of biomarkers into precision medicine has shown promising results in NSCLC, improving patient outcomes and enabling targeted therapies. Continued research and advancements in biomarker discovery, utilization, and evidence generation are necessary to overcome these challenges and further enhance the efficacy of precision medicine. Addressing these obstacles will contribute to the continued improvement of patient outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer.

Performance and Limitations of Nickel-Doped Chromite Anodes in Electrolyte-Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.

Ni-doped chromite anodes were integrated into electrolyte-supported cells (ESC) with 5×5 cm2 size and investigated in fuel cell mode with H2 /H2 O fuel gas. Both a stoichiometric and a nominally A-site deficient chromite anode material showed promising performance at 860 °C approaching the ones of state-of-the-art Ni/Gd-doped ceria (CGO) anodes. While the difference in polarization resistance was small, an increased ohmic resistance of the perovskite anodes was observed, which is related to their limited electronic conductivity. Increasing the chromite electrode thickness was shown to enhance performance and stability considerably. Degradation increased with current density, suggesting its dependency on the electrode potential, and could be reversed by redox cycling. Sulfur poisoning with 20 ppm hydrogen sulfide led to rapid voltage drops for the chromite anodes. It is discussed that Ni nanoparticle exsolution facilitates hydrogen dissociation to the extent that it is not rate-limiting at the investigated temperature unless an insufficiently thick electrode thickness is employed or sulfur impurities are present in the feed gas.

Infección con Toxoplasma gondii (Eucoccidiorida: Sarcocystidae) en murciélagos de Campeche y Yucatán, México

Toxoplasma gondii es un protozoario parásito reconocido como el agente causal de la toxoplasmosis, enfermedad zoonótica que afecta a humanos y animales domésticos o silvestres. En México, representa un problema de salud pública y veterinaria, sobre todo en regiones con climas tropicales y subtropicales. Los murciélagos han sido identificados como hospederos accidentales en el ciclo de transmisión; no obstante, en México no existe información previa; por lo tanto, el objetivo del presente estudio es reportar la infección con T. gondii en murciélagos capturados en sitios de los estados de Campeche y Yucatán, México. Se capturaron murciélagos en dos sitios de Yucatán y uno de Campeche, ubicados en la Península de Yucatán. Se recolectaron riñones, bazo e hígado y se emplearon en la extracción de ADN total. La infección con T. gondii se detectó a través de la amplificación de un fragmento del gen B1, utilizando PCR anidada. Los productos positivos fueron purificados y enviados a secuenciación para su posterior análisis de alineamiento; adicionalmente, se construyó un árbol filogenético. Se analizaron un total de 69 murciélagos pertenecientes a ocho especies distintas: 41 (59.4 %, 41/69) Artibeus jamaicensis; seis (8.7 %, 6/69) Pteronotus parnellii; seis (8.7 %, 6/69) Noctilio leporinus; seis (8.7 %, 6/69) Chiroderma villosum; cuatro (5.8 %, 4/69) Glossophaga soricina; dos (2.9 %, 2/69) Carollia sowelli; dos (2.89 %, 2/69) Artibeus lituratus y dos (2.9%, 2/69) Rhogeessa aeneus. La PCR anidada identificó ocho (11.6 %, 8/69) murciélagos positivos a la infección: seis (75 %, 6/8) A. jamaicensis, capturados en X'matkuil y Panabá, un (12.5 %, 1/8) G. soricina y un (12.5 %, 1/8) C. villosum, ambos capturados en Panabá. El análisis de alineamiento arrojó 99-100 % para cobertura y 97-99 % para identidad respecto a secuencias de T. gondii. Nuestros resultados aportan al entendimiento del ciclo de transmisión de T. gondii en la región; sin embargo, son necesarias investigaciones futuras para determinar los genotipos circulantes, ya que estudios anteriores han demostrado que estos animales pueden estar infectados con genotipos identificados en otros animales domésticos o silvestres e incluso en humanos.

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite recognized as the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease that affects humans and domestic or wild animals. In Mexico, it represents a public and animal health problem, especially in regions with tropical and subtropical climates. Bats have been reported as accidental hosts in the transmission cycle; however, there is no preceding information in Mexico. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to report the T. gondii infection in bats captured in sites of Campeche and Yucatan states, Mexico. Bats were captured in two sites in Yucatan (X'matkuil and Panaba) and one in Campeche (Hampolol), located in the Yucatan Peninsula. Kidneys, spleen, and liver were collected and used in the total DNA extraction. Toxoplasma gondii infection was detected through the amplification of a B1 gene fragment, using nested PCR. The positive PCR products were purified and sent to sequencing for a posterior sequence identity analysis. Additionally, a phylogenetic tree was made. A total of 69 bats belonging to eight different species were processed: 41 (59.4 %, 41/69) Artibeus jamaicensis; six (8.7 %, 6/69) Pteronotus parnellii; six (8.7 %, 6/69) Noctilio leporinus; six (8.7 %, 6/69) Chiroderma villosum; four (5.8 %, 4/69) Glossophaga soricina; two (2.9 %, 2/69) Carollia sowelli; two (2.89 %, 2/69) Artibeus lituratus; and two (2.9 %, 2/69) Rhogeessa aeneus. The nested PCR identified eight (11.6 %, 8/69) infected bats: six (75 %, 6/8) A. jamaicensis, captured in X'matkuil and Panaba, one (12.5 %, 1/8) G. soricina, and one (12.5 %, 1/8) C. villosum, both captured in Panaba. The alignment analysis yielded 99-100 % for cover and 97-99 % for identity to T. gondii sequences. Our results contribute to the understanding of the T. gondii transmission cycle in the region; however, future research is needed to determine circulating genotypes, as previous studies have demonstrated that these animals might be infected with identified genotypes in other domestic or wild animals and even in humans.

Control bacteriológico del agua de la red de distribución acueducto de las veredas Nápoles, Ponchos y Sebastopol en San Antonio de Tequendama / Bacteriological control of water distribution network of sidewalks aqueduct Naples, Ponchos and Sevastopol in San Antonio de Tequendama

El agua es empleada para satisfacer las necesidades básicas, pero a causa de su contaminación ocasiona un deterioro de la calidad de vida de la población. Por esto se han empleado indicadores de contaminación microbiológica, para verificar su calidad y evitar la propagación de enfermedades. El objetivo del presente proyecto es la determinación de la calidad bacteriológica (coliformes totales y Escherichia coli) del agua usada para el consumo de los habitantes de las veredas Nápoles, Ponchos y Sebastopol de San Antonio de Tequendama y así determinar si es apta para su consumo. La metodología incluyó la toma de muestra de cinco puntos de la red de distribución, una vez por mes durante tres meses, procesamiento de las muestras por el método filtración por membrana para determinar la cantidad de UFC/100mL de coliformes totales y E.coli. Los resultados muestran que el agua en estudio no es apta para consumo humano debido a que en los distintos puntos y meses de muestreo se encontró presencia de coliformes totales en un 100% y E. coli en un 86.6%, lo cual señala que estos indicadores se encuentran en una proporción mayor a lo establecido según la normatividad. Algunos de los microorganismos identificados son Citrobacter sp, Enterobacter sp, Klebsiella sp, Escherichia coli y otros como Hafnia sp., Arizona sp. y Serratia sp, que igualmente causan enfermedades. Se desarrolló un mapa de riesgo para conocer las causas de contaminación en la red de distribución, además se realizó una retroalimentación a la comunidad sobre la contaminación hídrica.