The Complex Landscape of Structural Divergence Between the Drosophila pseudoobscura and D. persimilis Genomes.

Structural genomic variants are key drivers of phenotypic evolution. They can span hundreds to millions of base pairs and can thus affect large numbers of genetic elements. Although structural variation is quite common within and between species, its characterization depends upon the quality of genome assemblies and the proportion of repetitive elements. Using new high-quality genome assemblies, we report a complex and previously hidden landscape of structural divergence between the genomes of Drosophila persimilis and D. pseudoobscura, two classic species in speciation research, and study the relationships among structural variants, transposable elements, and gene expression divergence. The new assemblies confirm the already known fixed inversion differences between these species. Consistent with previous studies showing higher levels of nucleotide divergence between fixed inversions relative to collinear regions of the genome, we also find a significant overrepresentation of INDELs inside the inversions. We find that transposable elements accumulate in regions with low levels of recombination, and spatial correlation analyses reveal a strong association between transposable elements and structural variants. We also report a strong association between differentially expressed (DE) genes and structural variants and an overrepresentation of DE genes inside the fixed chromosomal inversions that separate this species pair. Interestingly, species-specific structural variants are overrepresented in DE genes involved in neural development, spermatogenesis, and oocyte-to-embryo transition. Overall, our results highlight the association of transposable elements with structural variants and their importance in driving evolutionary divergence.

Binary decisions of artificial intelligence to classify third molar development around the legal age thresholds of 14, 16 and 18 years.

Third molar development is used for dental age estimation when all the other teeth are fully mature. In most medicolegal facilities, dental age estimation is an operator-dependent procedure. During the examination of unaccompanied and undocumented minors, this procedure may lead to binary decisions around age thresholds of legal interest, namely the ages of 14, 16 and 18 years. This study aimed to test the performance of artificial intelligence to classify individuals below and above the legal age thresholds of 14, 16 and 18 years using third molar development. The sample consisted of 11,640 panoramic radiographs (9680 used for training and 1960 used for validation) of males (n = 5400) and females (n = 6240) between 6 and 22.9 years. Computer-based image annotation was performed with V7 software (V7labs, London, UK). The region of interest was the mandibular left third molar (T38) outlined with a semi-automated contour. DenseNet121 was the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) of choice and was used with Transfer Learning. After Receiver-operating characteristic curves, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.87 and 0.86 to classify males and females below and above the age of 14, respectively. For the age threshold of 16, the AUC values were 0.88 (males) and 0.83 (females), while for the age of 18, AUC were 0.94 (males) and 0.83 (females). Specificity rates were always between 0.80 and 0.92. Artificial intelligence was able to classify male and females below and above the legal age thresholds of 14, 16 and 18 years with high accuracy.

Distillation of essential oils: An innovative technological approach focused on productivity, quality and sustainability.

Essential oil (EO) distillation units, which are commonly installed on farms, have difficultly accessing knowledge centers. The apparent simplicity of the process hides unwanted losses and deviations that go undetected and, therefore, not corrected. This article proposes improvements to the process that are based on "4.0" technologies in order to detect and correct two important deficiencies, with an impact on the yield, quality and environmental performance. The first deficiency comprises the steam channels that are formed through green mass (channeling), are well known and are considered normal by EO producers. Without detection and correction, this negatively affects the extraction results. The second is the lack of technology that is able to automatically determine the extraction endpoint. Smart sensing, control, self-configuration and the dynamic determination of improved process parameters make up a set of actions undertaken by a smart extraction plant (50-liter capacity). Nineteen experiments using lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) exhibited remarkable 24% and 10% improvements in the yield and quality, respectively. Energy consumption and a more than 50% reduction in the processing complete the set of results achieved. In addition to manufacturing costs and the utilization of capacity, better sustainability indicators are positive consequences of this technological updating.

Differences in volume, density, electrolyte concentration, and total proteins in the fluid of the paranasal sinuses of freshwater and saltwater drowning victims: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study summarized the available evidence on the differences in volume, density, electrolyte concentration, and total proteins in paranasal sinus fluid between freshwater and saltwater drowning victims. A systematic search was conducted in electronic databases and gray literature, resulting in the inclusion of five studies with 234 drowning victims (92 saltwater incidents and 142 freshwater incidents). Meta-analyses using the inverse-of-variance method and a random-effects model were performed, reporting effect sizes as standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The findings showed a significantly higher sinus density in saltwater drowning cases compared to freshwater drowning cases (SMD 0.91, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.32). However, no significant differences were observed in sinus fluid volume. Saltwater drowning victims exhibited higher electrolyte concentrations (sodium: SMD 3.77, 95% CI 3.07 to 4.48; potassium: SMD 0.78, 95% CI 0.07 to 1.49; chloride: SMD 3.48, 95% CI 2.65 to 4.31; magnesium: SMD 4.01, 95% CI 3.00 to 5.03) and lower total protein concentrations (SMD - 1.20, 95% CI - 1.82 to - 0.58) in sinus fluid compared to freshwater drowning victims. This meta-analysis highlights the importance of analyzing the characteristics and composition of sinus fluid in forensic investigations of drowning cases. While no differences were found in sinus fluid volume, saltwater drowning victims exhibited higher sinus density, elevated electrolyte concentrations, and lower total protein concentrations compared to freshwater drowning victims.

The role of paranasal sinus fluid in determining drowning as the cause of death: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Drowning is a significant global cause of unintentional injury fatalities, and accurate forensic diagnosis of drowning remains a challenge due to the nonspecific nature of post-mortem findings obtained through classical autopsy methods. Our manuscript addresses this issue by focusing on the emerging use of paranasal sinus fluid as a valuable tool in determining the cause of death, specifically in distinguishing drowning from non-drowning cases. The study provided a comprehensive summary of available evidence from observational studies that compared findings in the paranasal sinuses between drowning and non-drowning victims, analyzing parameters such as the presence of fluid, fluid volume, and density. The study encompassed a total of 14 selected studies involving 1044 subjects and utilized rigorous risk of bias assessment and data synthesis techniques. The meta-analysis demonstrated a strong association between the presence of fluid in the paranasal sinuses and drowning (OR = 17.1; 95% CI 7.2 to 40.5; p < 0.001). In addition, drowning victims had a significantly greater volume of fluid (SMD = 0.8; 95% CI 0.5 to 1.2; p < 0.001) and lower fluid density (SMD = -1.4; 95% -2.5 to -0.4; p = 0.008) compared to non-drowning cases. The results support the utility of paranasal sinus fluid analysis as a valuable diagnostic method in cases where drowning is suspected but cannot be definitively confirmed through traditional approaches.

Field sampling of fig pollinator wasps across host species and host developmental phase: Implications for host recognition and specificity.

Previous genetic studies of pollinator wasps associated with a community of strangler figs (Ficus subgenus Urostigma, section Americana) in Central Panama suggest that the wasp species exhibit a range in host specificity across their host figs. To better understand factors that might contribute to this observed range of specificity, we used sticky traps to capture fig-pollinating wasp individuals at 13 Ficus species, sampling at different phases of the reproductive cycle of the host figs (e.g., trees with receptive inflorescences, or vegetative trees, bearing only leaves). We also sampled at other tree species, using them as non-Ficus controls. DNA barcoding allowed us to identify the wasps to species and therefore assign their presence and abundance to host fig species and the developmental phase of that individual tree. We found: (1) wasps were only very rarely captured at non-Ficus trees; (2) nonetheless, pollinators were captured often at vegetative individuals of some host species; (3) overwhelmingly, wasp individuals were captured at receptive host fig trees representing the fig species from which they usually emerge. Our results indicate that wasp occurrence is not random either spatially or temporally within the forest and across these hosts, and that wasp specificity is generally high, both at receptive and vegetative host trees. Therefore, in addition to studies that show chemicals produced by receptive fig inflorescences attract pollinator wasps, we suggest that other cues (e.g., chemicals produced by the leaves) can also play a role in host recognition. We discuss our results in the context of recent findings on the role of host shifts in diversification processes in the Ficus genus.

Brazilian Guidelines for In-office and Out-of-office Blood Pressure Measurement ­ 2023 / Diretrizes Brasileiras de Medidas da Pressão Arterial Dentro e Fora do Consultório ­ 2023

Hypertension is one of the primary modifiable risk factors for morbidity and mortality worldwide, being a major risk factor for coronary artery disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Furthermore, it is highly prevalent, affecting more than one-third of the global population. Blood pressure measurement is a MANDATORY procedure in any medical care setting and is carried out by various healthcare professionals. However, it is still commonly performed without the necessary technical care. Since the diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurement, it is clear how important it is to handle the techniques, methods, and equipment used in its execution with care. It should be emphasized that once the diagnosis is made, all short-term, medium-term, and long-term investigations and treatments are based on the results of blood pressure measurement. Therefore, improper techniques and/or equipment can lead to incorrect diagnoses, either underestimating or overestimating values, resulting in inappropriate actions and significant health and economic losses for individuals and nations. Once the correct diagnosis is made, as knowledge of the importance of proper treatment advances, with the adoption of more detailed normal values and careful treatment objectives towards achieving stricter blood pressure goals, the importance of precision in blood pressure measurement is also reinforced. Blood pressure measurement (described below) is usually performed using the traditional method, the so-called casual or office measurement. Over time, alternatives have been added to it, through the use of semi-automatic or automatic devices by the patients themselves, in waiting rooms or outside the office, in their own homes, or in public spaces. A step further was taken with the use of semi-automatic devices equipped with memory that allow sequential measurements outside the office (ABPM; or HBPM) and other automatic devices that allow programmed measurements over longer periods (HBPM). Some aspects of blood pressure measurement can interfere with obtaining reliable results and, consequently, cause harm in decision-making. These include the importance of using average values, the variation in blood pressure during the day, and short-term variability. These aspects have encouraged the performance of a greater number of measurements in various situations, and different guidelines have advocated the use of equipment that promotes these actions. Devices that perform HBPM or ABPM, which, in addition to allowing greater precision, when used together, detect white coat hypertension (WCH), masked hypertension (MH), sleep blood pressure alterations, and resistant hypertension (RHT) (defined in Chapter 2 of this guideline), are gaining more and more importance. Taking these details into account, we must emphasize that information related to diagnosis, classification, and goal setting is still based on office blood pressure measurement, and for this reason, all attention must be given to the proper execution of this procedure.

La hipertensión arterial (HTA) es uno de los principales factores de riesgo modificables para la morbilidad y mortalidad en todo el mundo, siendo uno de los mayores factores de riesgo para la enfermedad de las arterias coronarias, el accidente cerebrovascular (ACV) y la insuficiencia renal. Además, es altamente prevalente y afecta a más de un tercio de la población mundial. La medición de la presión arterial (PA) es un procedimiento OBLIGATORIO en cualquier atención médica o realizado por diferentes profesionales de la salud. Sin embargo, todavía se realiza comúnmente sin los cuidados técnicos necesarios. Dado que el diagnóstico se basa en la medición de la PA, es claro el cuidado que debe haber con las técnicas, los métodos y los equipos utilizados en su realización. Debemos enfatizar que una vez realizado el diagnóstico, todas las investigaciones y tratamientos a corto, mediano y largo plazo se basan en los resultados de la medición de la PA. Por lo tanto, las técnicas y/o equipos inadecuados pueden llevar a diagnósticos incorrectos, subestimando o sobreestimando valores y resultando en conductas inadecuadas y pérdidas significativas para la salud y la economía de las personas y las naciones. Una vez realizado el diagnóstico correcto, a medida que avanza el conocimiento sobre la importancia del tratamiento adecuado, con la adopción de valores de normalidad más detallados y objetivos de tratamiento más cuidadosos hacia metas de PA más estrictas, también se refuerza la importancia de la precisión en la medición de la PA. La medición de la PA (descrita a continuación) generalmente se realiza mediante el método tradicional, la llamada medición casual o de consultorio. Con el tiempo, se han agregado alternativas a través del uso de dispositivos semiautomáticos o automáticos por parte del propio paciente, en salas de espera o fuera del consultorio, en su propia residencia o en espacios públicos. Se dio un paso más con el uso de dispositivos semiautomáticos equipados con memoria que permiten mediciones secuenciales fuera del consultorio (AMPA; o MRPA) y otros automáticos que permiten mediciones programadas durante períodos más largos (MAPA). Algunos aspectos en la medición de la PA pueden interferir en la obtención de resultados confiables y, en consecuencia, causar daños en las decisiones a tomar. Estos incluyen la importancia de usar valores promedio, la variación de la PA durante el día y la variabilidad a corto plazo. Estos aspectos han alentado la realización de un mayor número de mediciones en diversas situaciones, y diferentes pautas han abogado por el uso de equipos que promuevan estas acciones. Los dispositivos que realizan MRPA o MAPA, que además de permitir una mayor precisión, cuando se usan juntos, detectan la hipertensión de bata blanca (HBB), la hipertensión enmascarada (HM), las alteraciones de la PA durante el sueño y la hipertensión resistente (HR) (definida en el Capítulo 2 de esta guía), están ganando cada vez más importancia. Teniendo en cuenta estos detalles, debemos enfatizar que la información relacionada con el diagnóstico, la clasificación y el establecimiento de objetivos todavía se basa en la medición de la presión arterial en el consultorio, y por esta razón, se debe prestar toda la atención a la ejecución adecuada de este procedimiento.

A hipertensão arterial (HA) é um dos principais fatores de risco modificáveis para morbidade e mortalidade em todo o mundo, sendo um dos maiores fatores de risco para doença arterial coronária, acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) e insuficiência renal. Além disso, é altamente prevalente e atinge mais de um terço da população mundial. A medida da PA é procedimento OBRIGATÓRIO em qualquer atendimento médico ou realizado por diferentes profissionais de saúde. Contudo, ainda é comumente realizada sem os cuidados técnicos necessários. Como o diagnóstico se baseia na medida da PA, fica claro o cuidado que deve haver com as técnicas, os métodos e os equipamentos utilizados na sua realização. Deve-se reforçar que, feito o diagnóstico, toda a investigação e os tratamentos de curto, médio e longo prazos são feitos com base nos resultados da medida da PA. Assim, técnicas e/ou equipamentos inadequados podem levar a diagnósticos incorretos, tanto subestimando quanto superestimando valores e levando a condutas inadequadas e grandes prejuízos à saúde e à economia das pessoas e das nações. Uma vez feito o diagnóstico correto, na medida em que avança o conhecimento da importância do tratamento adequado, com a adoção de valores de normalidade mais detalhados e com objetivos de tratamento mais cuidadosos no sentido do alcance de metas de PA mais rigorosas, fica também reforçada a importância da precisão na medida da PA. A medida da PA (descrita a seguir) é habitualmente feita pelo método tradicional, a assim chamada medida casual ou de consultório. Ao longo do tempo, foram agregadas alternativas a ela, mediante o uso de equipamentos semiautomáticos ou automáticos pelo próprio paciente, nas salas de espera ou fora do consultório, em sua própria residência ou em espaços públicos. Um passo adiante foi dado com o uso de equipamentos semiautomáticos providos de memória que permitem medidas sequenciais fora do consultório (AMPA; ou MRPA) e outros automáticos que permitem medidas programadas por períodos mais prolongados (MAPA). Alguns aspectos na medida da PA podem interferir na obtenção de resultados fidedignos e, consequentemente, causar prejuízo nas condutas a serem tomadas. Entre eles, estão: a importância de serem utilizados valores médios, a variação da PA durante o dia e a variabilidade a curto prazo. Esses aspectos têm estimulado a realização de maior número de medidas em diversas situações, e as diferentes diretrizes têm preconizado o uso de equipamentos que favoreçam essas ações. Ganham cada vez mais espaço os equipamentos que realizam MRPA ou MAPA, que, além de permitirem maior precisão, se empregados em conjunto, detectam a HA do avental branco (HAB), HA mascarada (HM), alterações da PA no sono e HA resistente (HAR) (definidos no Capítulo 2 desta diretriz). Resguardados esses detalhes, devemos ressaltar que as informações relacionadas a diagnóstico, classificação e estabelecimento de metas ainda são baseadas na medida da PA de consultório e, por esse motivo, toda a atenção deve ser dada à realização desse procedimento.

The importance of morphological changes in neutrophils in the diagnosis of bacterial infections in dogs with confirmed urinary tract infections in a Veterinary Care Service, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Neutrophils (PMNs) are cellular markers used for diagnosing inflammation and/or infections. In this study, the objective was to highlight the importance of recording the toxic morphological alterations of the PMNs as markers of infection in 10 cases, positive bacterial isolation by culture due to dysuria, hematuria and/or fetid urine, as manifestations of urinary tract disease. Smear observations were performed by immersion for counting and morphological evaluations of 3,000 leukocytes in smears and in leukocyte concentrate. One (10.0%) of the dogs had leukocytosis, and two (20.0%) dogs had leukopenia. All animals showed toxic PMNs with positive bacterial culture. None of the cases in the study showed any quantitative alterations in PMNs such as: neutropenia or neutrophilia, where 100% had nuclear displacement of the regenerative type of PMNs to the left. 100% cases had toxic morphological changes: 90.0% had PMNs with toxic granulations, 80.0% had giant rod neutrophils, 70.0% had target PMNs, in 50.0% of those with vacuolation in the cytoplasm, in 40.0% of the animals, the presence of giant PMNs, 10.0% with Döhle bodies, and another animal 10.0% with karyorrhexis. All case studies had at least one association of two types of toxic changes. Toxic morphological alterations observed in PMNs through cystoscopy proved to be more reliable and sensitive in evidencing the diagnosis of infections than the quantitative alterations of absolute values of total leukocytes; therefore, they were essential in the laboratory diagnosis by blood count in the course of infections in dogs.

Os neutrófilos (PMNs) são marcadores celulares para o diagnóstico de inflamação e/ou infecções. Neste estudo, o objetivo foi apresentar a importância das alterações morfológicas tóxicas dos PMNs envolvidos como marcadores de infecção, em 10 casos com isolamento bacteriano positivo por cultura devido à disúria, hematúria e/ou urina fétida, como manifestações clínicas de doença do trato urinário. As observações de esfregaço foram realizadas para contagens e avaliações morfológicas de 3.000 leucócitos, em esfregaços e em concentrado de leucócitos. Um (10,0%) dos cães teve leucocitose e dois (20,0%) cães apresentaram leucopenia. Todos os animais tiveram alterações tóxicas em PMNs (100% dos casos) e com cultura bacteriana positiva. Nenhum dos casos do estudo apresentou qualquer alteração quantitativa nos PMNs como: neutropenia ou neutrofilia onde 10 (100%) tiveram deslocamento nuclear do tipo regenerativo de PMNs para a esquerda. 10 (100%) casos apresentaram alterações morfológicas tóxicas: nove (90,0%) tinham PMNs com granulações tóxicas, oito (80,0%) tinham neutrófilos de bastonetes gigantes, sete (70,0%) tinham PMNs-alvo, em cinco (50,0%) daqueles com vacuolização no citoplasma, em quatro (40,0%) dos animais a presença de PMNs gigantes, um (10,0%) com corpos de Döhle e outro animal (10,0%) com cariorrexia. Todos os casos observados tiveram pelo menos uma associação de dois tipos de alterações tóxicas. As alterações morfológicas tóxicas, observadas nos PMNs através da cistoscopia, foram mais confiáveis, e sensíveis em evidenciar o diagnóstico de infecções, do que as alterações dos valores absolutos de leucócitos totais e mesmo de PMNs em exames de rotina no curso de infecções em cães.

The Green Maternity project: A midwife-led initiative to promote correct waste segregation on an Australian postnatal ward.

AIMS: Healthcare waste production is a significant contributor to carbon emissions, negatively impacting the environment. Ineffective healthcare waste disposal results in greater measures to manage it which is costly to both the environment and healthcare organizations. This study aimed to improve waste management in a tertiary maternity hospital. Specifically, the impact of a midwife-led intervention to improve waste segregation, staff knowledge and attitudes and waste management-related costs was investigated. DESIGN: A multi-method study including pre- and post-intervention staff waste management knowledge and attitude surveys and waste audits of bins located on the postnatal ward. METHODS: The intervention included education sessions, posters and signage by waste bins and monthly newsletters distributed throughout 2021 to raise staff awareness of correct waste segregation processes. Pre- and post-intervention surveys were distributed in early 2021 and early 2022, respectively. The waste audits occurred on three occasions, January, July and December of 2021. The waste audit included total waste in kilograms (kg), waste in kg by segregation and identification of correct and incorrect segregation. Waste audit and quantitative staff survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi square. Qualitative data from the staff surveys were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS: Knowledge and attitudes to waste management were similar across pre- and post-intervention staff surveys. Knowledge of accurate allocation of specific items to waste streams was variable with errors identified in both the pre- and post-surveys. Waste audit data showed reductions in clinical waste at each measurement, with a 71.2% decrease in clinical waste from baseline to the final audit. Accuracy of waste segregation also improved from the baseline to final audit, resulting in a 48% reduction in waste management costs. CONCLUSION: The midwife-led initiative improved waste segregation and achieved the associated waste management cost reduction. IMPACT: A midwifery-led initiative to address waste production and segregation on a maternity ward had a positive impact on waste segregation practices and associated waste management costs. The existence of change champions along with in-service sessions, posters and newsletters to raise awareness of correct waste segregation resulted in a 71% reduction of incorrect items being placed in clinical waste bins. Challenges such as COVID-19 pressures and workload made it difficult for midwives to engage in waste management education and effective waste segregation. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution. WHAT DOES THIS PAPER CONTRIBUTE TO THE WIDER GLOBAL CLINICAL COMMUNITY?: Implementing clinician-led waste management interventions across hospital wards while addressing workload issues are likely to have significant cost benefits for organisations and minimise the environmental impacts of healthcare settings.

Total and regional body composition are related with aerobic fitness performance in elite futsal players.

Body composition (i.e., fat and lean mass profile) has been related to aerobic performance, an essential capacity for futsal athletes. The present study aimed to verify the relationship between total and regional body composition (percentage of fat and lean mass) with aerobic performance in elite futsal players. Male professional futsal athletes (n = 44) from two Brazilian National Futsal League teams and athletes representing the National team participated in this study. Body composition was evaluated using DXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) and aerobic fitness by ergospirometry. There was a negative (p < 0.05) correlation between maximum oxygen uptake and maximal velocity reached with total body (r = -0.53; r = -0.58), trunk (r = -0.52; r = -0.56) and lower-limb (r = -0.46; r = -0.55) fat mass percentage. Lower-limb lean mass percentage had a positive (p < 0.05) correlation with maximum oxygen uptake (r = 0.46) and maximal velocity (r = 0.55). In conclusion, total and regional body composition present a relationship with aerobic performance in professional futsal players.

Effects of eccentric-emphasized leg curl intervention on muscle strength imbalance markers in professional soccer players during pre-season.

BACKGROUND: The effects of strength training on muscle strength imbalance are unclear in professional soccer players. As a result, this study examined the effects of an 8-week strength training program comprising eccentric-emphasized prone leg curl adjusted according to the individual strength imbalance status. METHODS: Ten professional soccer players (26.0 ± 3.6 yrs) participated in the study. Players who had a ≥ 10% contralateral imbalance in knee flexors eccentric peak torque (n = 6) performed two additional repetitions per set in the low-strength limb (high-volume, HV) compared to the high-strength limb (low-volume, LV). Isokinetic concentric knee extension and concentric and eccentric knee flexion peak torque (PT) and derived contralateral imbalances and conventional and functional hamstring-to-quadriceps ratios (H:Q) were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks. Differences at baseline were assessed using paired-sample T-tests, and a two-way (limb x time) repeated measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) for changes over time. RESULTS: A significant improvement in the eccentric knee flexion PT was observed in both limbs after 8 weeks (P < 0.05), with greater effects observed in the HV limb (25.0 N m, 95% CI: 15.1-34.9 N m). Significant decreases were also observed in the contralateral imbalances from concentric knee extension and flexion and eccentric knee flexion PT (P < 0.05). Differences were not observed in concentric knee extension and flexion PT (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A short-term eccentric-emphasized leg curl intervention adjusted by the initial knee flexors eccentric strength was an efficient method to improve knee flexors strength imbalance in professional soccer players.

Temporal Analysis of Malaria Cases in the Brazilian Yanomami Pediatric Population: A Retrospective Ecologic Study From 2003 to 2022.

This retrospective ecological study investigated malaria incidence among Brazilian Yanomami children and adolescents from 2003 to 2022. Of the 145,573 recorded cases, 75.9% occurred in the Yanomami pediatric population. Moreover, an increase in the proportion of cases among the 10-19 age group has been observed, potentially associated with the recruitment of Indigenous adolescents to mining areas in recent years.

Is facial geometric morphometrics a useful method for age estimation in children and adolescents? Limited evidence and lack of studies leave us with an uncertain answer.

Facial geometric morphometrics is a non-invasive method that has recently shown potential applications, including age estimation, diagnosis of facial abnormalities, monitoring facial development, and evaluating treatment outcomes. A systematic review identified two studies that demonstrated the use of facial geometric morphometrics for age estimation in children and adolescents, showing promising results in terms of accuracy and error. This finding could be particularly relevant in forensic investigations. However, a research agenda should be established to prioritize the assessment of the diagnostic accuracy of facial morphometric geometrics in estimating age among children and adolescents.

Chronic effect of resistance training on blood pressure in older adults with prehypertension and hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The chronic antihypertensive effect of resistance training (RT) has been widely recognized in mixed-aged populations. However, the specific effect of RT on blood pressure (BP) in older individuals (≥60 years) remains unknown. Therefore, this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials explored the chronic effects of dynamic RT alone on BP in older people. The study followed the PRISMA statement, and the search was performed using MeSH terms "strength training", "blood pressure" and "aged" on MEDLINE (PubMed), SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases. From 1783 potential articles, 24 studies met all inclusion criteria resulting in 835 participants randomized into 26 RT interventions (n = 430) and 24 control groups (n = 405). Overall, BP reduction favoring RT was observed both in SBP (-6.88 [-10.02, -3.73] mmHg) and DBP (-3.37 [-4.71, -2.22] mmHg). Subgroup analysis revealed BP decreases in both participants with hypertension (SBP: -10.42 [-15.67, -5.17]; DBP: -3.99 [-5.76,-2.22] mmHg), and prehypertension (SBP: -4.87 [-7.76, -1.98]; DBP: -2.77 [-4.88, -0.66] mmHg). Improvement in BP was found in studies using traditional RT (free weights and machines) (SBP: -7.04 [-11.04, -3.05]; DBP: -2.60 [-3.72, -1.47] mmHg) and elastic band interventions (SBP: -2.79 [-3.72, -1.86]; DBP:-1.68 [-3.18, -0.18] mmHg). RT performed at moderate intensity (60-80 % 1RM) reduced SBP (-6.98, [-11.93, -2.03]mmHg) and DBP (-3.64 [-5.11, -2.18] mmHg). In conclusion, RT can reduce BP in older people at prehypertensive and hypertensive stage, with traditional RT performed with moderate loads leading to an effect estimate of approximately -7 mmHg for SBP and -4 mmHg for DBP.

Mucocele apendicular benigno / Benign Appendiceal Mucocele

Introducción: El mucocele apendicular se considera una lesión rara del apéndice que se caracteriza por la dilatación de la luz del órgano con acumulación de moco. Este puede ser benigno o maligno. Objetivo: Caracterizar un caso de mucocele apendicular de comportamiento benigno en un paciente adulto masculino. Presentación del caso: Se asiste a un paciente, en estudio de tumor de vías digestivas, que se interviene quirúrgicamente con cuadro peritoneal agudo hallando masa de localización apendicular. Se realiza apendicectomía convencional y se estudia la pieza por anatomía patológica como mucocele apendicular benigno. La evolución del paciente fue satisfactoria. Conclusiones: Se presenta clínicamente de forma inespecífica, lo que posibilita que su diagnóstico sea intraoperatorio con mayor frecuencia. La estrategia quirúrgica depende de los hallazgos intraoperatorios donde la apendicectomía y la hemicolectomía derecha son las técnicas más utilizadas. El pseudomixoma peritoneal es una complicación temida(AU)

Introduction: Appendiceal mucocele is considered a rare lesion of the appendix characterized by dilatation of the organ lumen with mucus accumulation. It can be benign or malignant. Objective: To characterize a case of appendiceal mucocele with benign behavior in an adult male patient. Case presentation: A patient under study of digestive tract tumor is attended. The patient underwent surgery for having acute peritoneal symptoms; a mass of appendicular location was found. Conventional appendicectomy was performed and the piece was studied by pathological anatomy, being a benign appendicular mucocele. The patient's evolution was satisfactory. Conclusions: This condition is presented clinically in a nonspecific manner, which makes for its diagnosis to be more frequently intraoperative. The surgical strategy depends on the intraoperative findings, in which appendectomy and right hemicolectomy are the most used techniques. Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a feared complication(AU)

Pollinator and host sharing lead to hybridization and introgression in Panamanian free-standing figs, but not in their pollinator wasps.

Obligate pollination mutualisms, in which plant and pollinator lineages depend on each other for reproduction, often exhibit high levels of species specificity. However, cases in which two or more pollinator species share a single host species (host sharing), or two or more host species share a single pollinator species (pollinator sharing), are known to occur in current ecological time. Further, evidence for host switching in evolutionary time is increasingly being recognized in these systems. The degree to which departures from strict specificity differentially affect the potential for hybridization and introgression in the associated host or pollinator is unclear. We addressed this question using genome-wide sequence data from five sympatric Panamanian free-standing fig species (Ficus subgenus Pharmacosycea, section Pharmacosycea) and their six associated fig-pollinator wasp species (Tetrapus). Two of the five fig species, F. glabrata and F. maxima, were found to regularly share pollinators. In these species, ongoing hybridization was demonstrated by the detection of several first-generation (F1) hybrid individuals, and historical introgression was indicated by phylogenetic network analysis. By contrast, although two of the pollinator species regularly share hosts, all six species were genetically distinct and deeply divergent, with no evidence for either hybridization or introgression. This pattern is consistent with results from other obligate pollination mutualisms, suggesting that, in contrast to their host plants, pollinators appear to be reproductively isolated, even when different species of pollinators mate in shared hosts.