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Flourensia cernua DC, commonly known as hojasen or tarbush, is a medicinal plant used in arid regions due to its therapeutic properties, especially in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. This study aimed to assess the toxicity of a polyphenolic extract obtained from F. cernua. This research involved both in vitro (hemolytic and brine shrimp assay) and in vivo tests (acute oral toxicity) to determine the safety profile of this extract. The extract was obtained through a novel ultrasound-microwave extraction and purified by ion-exchange chromatography. Analysis of the polyphenolic extract revealed a rich composition of flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids, mainly apigenin glycosides. In toxicity tests, the polyphenols did not exhibit toxicity towards Artemia salina at a concentration of 1 mg/ml. Furthermore, incubation at 500 µg/ml for 4 hours showed a slight toxic effect on erythrocytes. In the acute oral toxicity test in mice, doses of 300 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg did not result in animal mortality, indicating that the LD50 exceeds 2000 mg/kg. However, the higher dose induced signs of toxicity, including lethargy, drowsiness, piloerection, and a significant decrease in weight during the initial two days postadministration of the polyphenolic extract. In addition, histological analysis suggested potential kidney damage at the 2000 mg/kg dose. According to OECD guidelines, while the extract can be classified as category 5 (low acute toxicity) due to the absence of mortality at 2000 mg/kg, the observed signs of toxicity should be considered in the overall risk assessment. These findings highlight the potential of F. cernua in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications due to its high polyphenolic content. However, further investigations are necessary to explore the specific effects of the compounds present in the extract. In addition, continuous evaluation of its long-term toxicity is essential to fully understand the extract's safety profile and efficacy.

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Leptospirosis is an infectious disease with a worldwide distribution, which represents a major challenge in animal production across developing countries, mainly in tropical areas. Horses are particularly susceptible to the disease, presenting manifestations ranging from subclinical to the development of uveitis that compromises the visual health of the animals. In recent years, serological studies have been carried out in equid populations from America, demonstrating high exposure. For this reason, the aim of this study was to demonstrate microbiologically and molecularly the presence of the members of the genus Leptospira in urine samples from equids in an endemic state of leptospirosis in Mexico, and to detect the serological presence of anti-Leptospira antibodies in the sampled animals. For this reason, blood and urine samples were collected from 28 horses and one mule from three localities in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Urine samples were inoculated in Ellinghausen-McCullough-Johnson-Harris (EMJH) medium, and the recovered isolates were typed using a short Multi Locus Sequence Typing scheme. Amplifications of the expected size were subjected to sequencing, and the recovered sequences were compared with those of reference deposited in GenBank using the BLAST tool. To identify their phylogenetic position, we performed a phylogenetic reconstruction using the maximum likelihood method. Additionally, Microscopic Agglutination test was performed on the serum samples to identify anti-Leptospira antibodies. We recovered 16 urine isolates which tested positive for the presence of Leptospira DNA. The phylogenetic reconstruction and the MLST analysis confirmed the presence of several genotypes of Leptospira interrogans and Leptospira santarosai. An overall serological frequency of 97.1 % was detected. Our results represent the first record of the presence of Leptospira through bacteriological isolates in equids from Mexico.

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The infection process of the hemibiotrophic fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum has been independently studied at the microscopic and genomic levels. However, the relationship between the morphological changes and the pathogenicity mechanisms of the fungus at the early stages of the infection remains uncharacterized. Therefore, this study attempts to bridge this gap by integrating microscopic and transcriptional approaches to understand the infection process of C. lindemuthianum. Fungal structures were followed by fluorescence microscopy for 120 hours. Simultaneously, the transcriptomic profile was made using RNAseq. Morphological characterization shows that appressoria, infective vesicles, and secondary hypha formation occur before 72 hours. Additionally, we assembled 38,206 transcripts with lengths between 201 and 3,548 bp. The secretome annotation revealed the expression of 1,204 CAZymes, of which 17 exhibited secretion domains and were identified as chitinases and ß-1,3-glucanases, 27 were effector candidates, and 30 were transport proteins mostly associated with ABC-type. Finally, we confirmed the presence and expression of CAC1 role during the appressoria formation of Clr7. This result represents the first report of adenylate cyclase expression evaluated under three different approaches. In conclusion, C. lindemuthianum colonizes the host through different infection structures complemented with the expression of multiple enzymes, where CAC1 favors disease development.

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The accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, or small animals on wet surfaces that have a mechanical function causes biofouling, which can result in structural or other functional deficiencies. The maritime shipping industry must constantly manage biofouling to optimize operational performance, which is a common and long-lasting problem. It can occur on any metal structure in contact with or submerged in ocean water, which represents additional costs in terms of repairs and maintenance. This study is focused on the production of antifouling coatings, made with nanoparticles of copper selenide (CuSe NPs) modified with gum arabic, within a water-base acrylic polymeric matrix. During the curing of the acrylic resin, the CuSe NPs remain embedded in the resin, but this does not prevent the release of ions. The coatings released copper and selenium ions for up to 80 days, and selenium was the element that was released the most. The adhesion of film coatings to metallic substrates showed good adhesion, scale 5B (ASTM D3359 standard). Antimicrobial activity tests show that the coatings have an inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. The effect is more noticeable when the coating is detached from the substrate and placed on a growing medium, compared to the coating on a substrate. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations show that nanostructured CuSe coatings are made up of rod-shaped and spherical particles with an average particle size of 101.6 nm and 50 nm, respectively. The energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) studies showed that the ratio of selenium nanoparticles is greater than that of copper and that their distribution is homogeneous.

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The linaloe [Bursera linanoe (La Llave) Rzed, Calderon and Medina] is an endemic species of Mexico, representative of the low deciduous forest of the states of Guerrero, Puebla, Morelos, and Oaxaca, and has been of great economic importance for the people, mainly for the artisanal use of its aromatic wood that is used to make boxes, trunks, and furniture that are manufactured in Olinala, Guerrero, Mexico; and industrial, thanks to the fine aroma of its essential oil (linalool), which is used in the manufacture of perfumes and pharmaceuticals. Overexploitation has endangered the species in recent years, and propagation by seed and/or cuttings has produced very poor results compared to those obtained with other recalcitrant Bursera species. The protection of endangered species makes urgent the need to propose new alternatives for its propagation. Somatic embryogenesis is a reliable and feasible technique, including induction, maintenance, multiplication, and maturation of embryos, often in semisolid culture media; however, the recent use of liquid media has allowed semi-automation in temporary immersion bioreactors, for example, the RITA® system, which favors both the multiplication rate and the final conversion to seedlings.

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Introducción. Los niños requieren especial dedicación para lograr espirometrías de calidad. Objetivo. Este trabajo evalúa la frecuencia de maniobras aceptables en escolares, la utilidad de gestos de incentivo para optimizar la obtención de pruebas de alta calidad y realiza un análisis de ajuste a varias ecuaciones de referencia. Materiales y Métodos. Se realizaron maniobras espiratorias forzadas en un grupo de escolares de Asunción- Paraguay, escogiendo variables recomendadas para la interpretación en un espirómetro portátil, para evaluar la frecuencia de pruebas de calidad. Aquellos que no consiguieron estudios aceptables, fueron sometidos a un entrenamiento con silbato en rollo (juguete) para evaluar el desempeño ulterior. Los resultados de alta calidad fueron pareados a valores esperados determinados por diversas ecuaciones buscando evaluar el grado de adecuación. Resultados. De 113 escolares, el 58,4% pudo conseguir maniobras de grado A o B. Después del estímulo con el silbato en rollo, la frecuencia de estudios aceptables ascendió a 79,6%. Los parámetros de referencia con mejor ajuste fueron aquellos determinados por la Global Lung Initiative (GLI). Conclusión. Los incentivos lúdicos son una alternativa para optimizar la obtención de pruebas de espirometría en escolares, que con el uso de parámetros de GLI adecuarían el manejo clínico de ciertas enfermedades respiratorias.

Introduction. Children require special dedication to achieve high quality spirometry. Objective. This work evaluates the frequency of acceptable maneuvers in schoolchildren, the usefulness of incentive gestures to optimize the obtaining of high-quality tests, and performs an analysis of adjustments to several reference equations. Material and Methods. Forced expiratory maneuvers were performed in a group of schoolchildren from Asunción, Paraguay, choosing variables recommended for interpretation in a portable spirometer, to evaluate the frequency of high quality tests. Those who did not achieve acceptable studies were subjected to training with a roll whistle (toy) to evaluate their subsequent performance. The high-quality results were matched to expected values determined by various equations to evaluate adequacy. Results. Of 113 schoolchildren, 58,4% were able to achieve grade A or B maneuvers. After the stimulus with the roll whistle, the frequency of acceptable studies rose to 79,6%. The reference parameters with the best fit were those determined by the Global Lung Initiative (GLI). Conclusion. Playful incentives are an alternative to obtaining acceptable spirometry tests in schoolchildren, which, with the use of GLI parameters, would adjust the clinical management of certain respiratory diseases.

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In recent months, Paraguay has been grappled with a notable monkeypox outbreak, straining its healthcare infrastructure. The sudden spike in cases underlines the imperative need for a comprehensive understanding of the virus's dynamics, enabling the formulation of robust containment measures. To address this challenge, our team joined forces with the Central Public Health Laboratory of Asunción and the Pan-American Health Organization. Through this collaboration, we employed portable whole-genome sequencing combined with phylodynamic analysis to examine the MPXV strains circulating in Paraguay. Our genomic monitoring approach has produced the first 30 whole-genome sequences from Paraguay, all of which were identified under lineage IIb. Interestingly, our data suggest that the origin of the monkeypox virus in Paraguay at the beginning of 2022 can be traced back to Brazil. This introduction subsequently catalyzed further community spread that was further exacerbated by several independent introduction events as time progressed. These findings not only shed light on the transmission patterns of the virus but also highlight the pivotal role such insights play in sculpting effective response strategies and driving impactful public health measures. Furthermore, our findings strongly advocate intensified surveillance at international borders, ensuring swift detection and proactive countermeasures against potential outbreaks in the future.

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Previous studies have noted that persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) experience persistent lung dysfunction after an episode of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that inflammation during pneumonia triggers increased tissue damage and accelerated pulmonary fibrosis, resulting in a gradual loss of lung function. We carried out a prospective cohort study of people diagnosed with CAP and/or HIV between 2016 and 2018 in three clinical institutions in Medellín, Colombia. Clinical data, blood samples, and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were collected at baseline. Forty-one patients were included, divided into two groups: HIV and CAP (n = 17) and HIV alone (n = 24). We compared the concentrations of 17 molecules and PFT values between the groups. Patients with HIV and pneumonia presented elevated levels of cytokines and chemokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, IL-1RA, IL-10, IP-10, MCP-1, and MIP-1ß) compared to those with only HIV. A marked pulmonary dysfunction was evidenced by significant reductions in FEF25, FEF25-75, and FEV1. The correlation between these immune mediators and lung function parameters supports the connection between pneumonia-associated inflammation and end organ lung dysfunction. A low CD4 cell count (<200 cells/µL) predicted inflammation and lung dysfunction. These results underscore the need for targeted clinical approaches to mitigate the adverse impacts of CAP on lung function in this population.

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Introducción: La asfixia perinatal es un síndrome caracterizado por la suspensión o grave disminución del intercambio gaseoso a nivel de la placenta o de los pulmones. Objetivo: Caracterizar los neonatos con asfixia perinatal durante el trabajo de parto con la introducción de la gasometría de la arteria umbilical. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal, de octubre de 2016 a diciembre de 2021. Se trabajó con la totalidad del universo: 75 neonatos asfícticos. Las variables fueron: edad materna, edad gestacional al nacimiento, enfermedades asociadas y dependientes del embarazo, tipo y tiempo de trabajo de parto, características del líquido amniótico, anomalías de la placenta y cordón umbilical, pH de la gasometría de la arteria del cordón, evolución clínica del recién nacido. Los datos se almacenaron y procesaron en una hoja de cálculo de Microsoft Excel, utilizando la estadística descriptiva. Resultados: Predominaron pacientes con edad materna menor de 20 años (56 %), y edad gestacional al nacimiento de 28 a 33,6 semanas (77,3 %). La hipertensión arterial fue la comorbilidad más común, así como la preeclampsia, entre las enfermedades dependiente del embarazo (30,7 %); 61,3 % tuvieron parto eutócico, con líquido amniótico claro (65,3 %), placenta previa (38,7 %) y circulares en cordón umbilical (30,7 %). En el 86,7 % el pH de la gasometría fue menor que 7, y el 92 % presentó evolución clínica favorable. Conclusiones: La asfixia perinatal estuvo predominantemente asociada a madres adolescentes, con tiempo gestacional entre 28 y 36 semanas, preeclampsia, placenta previa, circulares del cordón umbilical y predominio de gasometría con pH menor que 7.

Introduction: Perinatal asphyxia is a syndrome characterized by the suspension or severe decrease in gas exchange at the level of the placenta or lungs. Objective: To characterize neonates with perinatal asphyxia during labor with the introduction of umbilical arterial blood gas test. Materials and methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out from October 2016 to December 2021. It dealt with the entire universe, 75 asphyxiated neonates. The variables were: maternal age, gestational age at birth, associated and pregnancy-dependent diseases, type and time of labor, characteristics of the amniotic fluid, anomalies of the placenta and umbilical cord, pH of the cord arterial blood gas test, clinical evolution of the newborn. The data were stored and processed in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, using descriptive statistics. Results: Patients with maternal age below 20 years (56%), and gestational age at birth from 28 to 33.6 weeks (77.3%) predominated. Arterial hypertension was the most common comorbidity, as well as preeclampsia, among pregnancy-dependent diseases (30.7%); 61.3% had eutocic delivery, with clear amniotic fluid (65.3%), previous placenta (38.7%) and umbilical cord circulars (30.7%). In 86.7%, the blood gas pH was less than 7 and 92% had a favorable clinical evolution. Conclusions: Perinatal asphyxia was predominantly associated with adolescent mothers, with gestational time between 28-36 weeks; preeclampsia, placenta previa, umbilical cord circulars, and blood gases pH lower than 7.

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The genus Bartonella encompasses 38 validated species of Gram-negative, facultative intracellular bacteria that colonize the endothelial cells and erythrocytes of a wide spectrum of mammals. To date, 12 Bartonella species have been recorded infecting humans, causing diseases of long historical characterization, such as cat scratch fever and trench fever, and emerging bartonellosis that mainly affect animal health professionals. For this reason, this study aimed to report a documented case of Bartonella bovis infecting a veterinarian from Mexico by the amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic reconstruction of the citrate synthase (gltA) and the RNA polymerase beta-subunit (rpoB) genes, and to report the natural course of this infection. To our knowledge, this work is the first to report the transmission of B. bovis via needlestick transmission to animal health workers in Latin America.

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