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We present a flora and fauna dataset for the Mira-Mataje binational basins. This is an area shared between southwestern Colombia and northwestern Ecuador, where both the Chocó and Tropical Andes biodiversity hotspots converge. We systematized data from 120 sources in the Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A) standard and geospatial vector data format for geographic information systems (GIS) (shapefiles). Sources included natural history museums, published literature, and citizen science repositories across 13 countries. The resulting database has 33,460 records from 6,821 species, of which 540 have been recorded as endemic, and 612 as threatened. The diversity represented in the dataset is equivalent to 10% of the total plant species and 26% of the total terrestrial vertebrate species in both hotspots. The dataset can be used to estimate and compare biodiversity patterns with environmental parameters and provide value to ecosystems, ecoregions, and protected areas. The dataset is a baseline for future assessments of biodiversity in the face of environmental degradation, climate change, and accelerated extinction processes.

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Escherichia coli phytase (AppA) is widely used as an exogenous enzyme in monogastric animal feed mainly because of its ability to degrade phytic acid or its salt (phytate), a natural source of phosphorus. Currently, successful recombinant production of soluble AppA has been achieved by gene overexpression using both bacterial and yeast systems. However, some methods for the biomembrane immobilization of phytases (including AppA), such as surface display on yeast cells and bacterial spores, have been investigated to avoid expensive enzyme purification processes. This study explored a homologous protein production approach for displaying AppA on the cell surface of E. coli by engineering its outer membrane (OM) for extracellular expression. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of total bacterial lysates and immunofluorescence microscopy of non-permeabilized cells revealed protein expression, whereas activity assays using whole cells or OM fractions indicated functional enzyme display, as evidenced by consistent hydrolytic rates on typical substrates (i.e., p-nitrophenyl phosphate and phytic acid). Furthermore, the in vitro results obtained using a simple method to simulate the gastrointestinal tract of poultry suggest that the whole-cell biocatalyst has potential as a feed additive. Overall, our findings support the notion that biomembrane-immobilized enzymes are reliable for the hydrolysis of poorly digestible substrates relevant to animal nutrition.

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BACKGROUND: The natural history of candidemia in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) remains poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate mortality, prognostic factors and overall graft loss after candidemia in KTRs. METHODS: This is a retrospective multicentre study enrolling all KTRs ≥15 years old with candidemia diagnosed at hospitals in Brazil, Spain and Italy from 2010 to 2020. Primary endpoints were mortality rates at 14 and 30 days. Secondary endpoints were prognostic factors of 14-day mortality and overall graft loss. RESULTS: We enrolled 93 KTRs of which 75 were from Brazil. The mean time interval from transplantation to the onset of candidemia was 45.2 ± 61.5 months. 42% of all patients were on haemodialysis, 31.3% had an episode of sepsis and 39% underwent surgery within 30 days before fungemia. European patients were more likely to receive echinocandin (32 vs. 72%, p < .001). 22.7% of Brazilian patients did not receive any antifungal before death. All-cause mortality at 14 days was higher in Brazil (41.3 vs. 11.1%, p = .016). Candida colonisation (OR 6.91 [95% CI: 1.08-44.3], p = .042) and hypotension (OR 4.87 [95% CI: 1.62-14.66], p = .005) were associated with 14-day mortality. Echinocandin treatment had a protective effect (OR 0.19 [95% CI: 0.05-0.73], p = .015). Graft loss at 90 days occurred in 48% of patients (70.7 in Brazil vs. 22.2% in Europe, p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Candidemia in KTR is usually documented late after engraftment in patients requiring HD, surgical procedures and dysbiosis secondary to antibiotic use. Mortality was higher in Brazil. Echinocandin therapy was associated with improved survival.

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Introducción: La pandemia por COVID-19 trajo consigo grandes cambios a nivel socioeconómico, producto de las medidas tomadas para mitigar su expansión, que implicó cierre de colegios y dificultad para el acceso a servicios de salud. Sin embargo, no se cuenta con mucha información respecto al impacto que estas medidas han tenido en la salud y el bienestar de niños y adolescentes, por lo cual se desarrolló una encuesta virtual para conocer la dimensión de los efectos de la pandemia en el bienestar integral de los menores y sus familias. Metodología: Estudio observacional de corte transversal que se realizó mediante la aplicación de una encuesta en formato electrónico a padres de familia de niños y adolescentes del Área Metropolitana de Bucaramanga. Resultados: Se obtuvieron 960 respuestas. El 25,63 % de los encuestados refieren cancelación de citas médicas. El 98 % de los estudiantes pudo continuar las actividades académicas durante el aislamiento. El factor económico fue la principal causa de preocupación en el periodo de la encuesta. Discusión: Durante el periodo de aislamiento, los problemas de salud mental, las dificultades para el acceso a herramientas para la educación virtual y las barreras para la atención, propias de la emergencia sanitaria, causaron efectos significativos en la calidad de vida de los menores. Conclusiones: Ante emergencias sanitarias, se deben mantener los servicios de atención en salud de la misma forma que se hacía previo a la ocurrencia del evento, como los programas de vacunación, crecimiento y desarrollo, promoción y prevención, además de la continuidad de la escolaridad.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought great changes along with, some of those were at the socioeconomic level, as a result of the actions taken to mitigate the virus expansion, which involved the closure of schools and restriction in accessing to some health services. However, there is not much information regarding the impact that these measures have had on the health and well-being of children and adolescents, for this reason, a virtual survey was developed to find out the dimension of the pandemic's effect on the comprehensive welfare of minors and families. Methodology: Cross-sectional observational study, which was carried out by applying a survey in electronic format to parents of children and adolescents in the Metropolitan Area of Bucaramanga. Results: A total of 960 responses were obtained. Of those surveyed, 25,63% refer cancellation of medical appointments. The 98% of students were able to continue academic activities during isolation. The economic factor was the main cause of concern in the survey period. Discussion: During the isolation period, mental health problems, difficulties in accessing tools for virtual education and barriers to care, typical of the health emergency, caused a significant effects on the quality of life of youngsters. Conclusions: In the event of health emergencies, health care services should be maintained in the same way as before the occurrence of the event, such as vaccination, growth and development, promotion and prevention programs, in addition to the continuity of schooling.

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INTRODUCCIÓN: La carga de cuidado en los cuidadores familiares (CF), tiene un efecto en la salud física y mental, relaciones familiares, laborales y estado financiero, aumentando la necesidad de intervenciones efectivas para mejorar el automanejo de su condición y el cuidado al familiar en el hogar. OBJETIVO: evaluar la efectividad de un programa para promover el automanejo en CF. METODOLOGÍA: de diseño cuasi experimental con mediciones pre y post intervención, en una muestra no probabilística, intencionada de 19 CF de personas mayores con nivel de dependencia. El programa "Trabajando juntos en colaboración" (TJC), implementado por facilitadores entrenados y certificados, promueve el automanejo y habilidades para cuidar a su familiar en casa. Para evaluar el efecto de la intervención se aplicó pre y post-test el Instrumento de "Automanejo en Cuidadores Familiares", la prueba Shapiro-Wilks, el análisis de diferencias por la t-Student y test de Wilcoxon, se calculó el tamaño del efecto y la potencia estadística (1- ß). RESULTADOS: se encontró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre el pre y post intervención, observando un incremento en el resultado de la sumatoria global y en las tres dimensiones del automanejo. Estas diferencias muestran un efecto relevante a considerar (>,80) y una potencia alta (>,80). CONCLUSIÓN: El Programa TJC, muestra efectividad en mejorar el automanejo en CF, con una potencia adecuada que podría permitir generalizar resultados en poblaciones similares. Siendo este un programa genérico, podría ser aplicado en cualquier caso de CF, independiente a la enfermedad o condición de su familiar.

INTRODUCTION: The caregiving burden on family caregivers (FC) has an impact on physical and mental health, family relationships, work, and financial status, increasing the need for effective interventions to improve self-management of their condition and care for the family member at home. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effectiveness of a program to promote self-management in FC. METHODOLOGY: The study employed a quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-intervention measurements in a non-probabilistic, purposive sample of 19 FC of older individuals with a level of dependency. The "Trabajando Juntos en Colaboración" (TJC) program, implemented by trained and certified facilitators, promotes self-management and skills to care for their family member at home. To assess the intervention's effect, pre and post-tests were administered using the "Automanejo en Cuidadores Familiares" instrument, along with the Shapiro-Wilks test, t-Student analysis of differences, and Wilcoxon test. Effect size and statistical power (1- ß) were calculated. RESULTS: indicated statistically significant differences between the pre- and post-intervention periods, with an observed increase in the overall sum and in all three dimensions of self-management. These differences demonstrate a relevant effect (>0.80) and high statistical power (>0.80). CONCLUSION: the TJC program proves effective in enhancing self-management in CF, with sufficient power to potentially generalize results to similar populations. As a generic program, it could be applied in any FC case, regardless of the disease or condition of their family member.

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TOR proteins, also known as targets of rapamycin, are serine/threonine kinases involved in various signaling pathways that regulate cell growth. The protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia is the causative agent of giardiasis, a neglected infectious disease in humans. In this study, we used a bioinformatics approach to examine the structural features of GTOR, a G. lamblia TOR-like protein, and predict functional associations. Our findings confirmed that it shares significant similarities with functional TOR kinases, including a binding domain for the FKBP-rapamycin complex and a kinase domain resembling that of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinases. In addition, it can form multiprotein complexes such as TORC1 and TORC2. These results provide valuable insights into the structure-function relationship of GTOR, highlighting its potential as a molecular target for controlling G. lamblia cell proliferation. Furthermore, our study represents a step toward rational drug design for specific anti-giardiasis therapeutic agents.

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Causes of dopaminergic neuronal loss in Parkinson's disease (PD) are subject of investigation and the common use of models of acute neurodegeneration induced by neurotoxins 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), 6-hydroxydopamine, and rotenone contributed to advances in the study of PD. However, the use of study models more similar to the pathophysiology of PD is required for advances in early diagnosis and translational pharmacology. Aminochrome (AMI), a compound derived from dopamine oxidation and a precursor of neuromelanin, is able to induce all the mechanisms associated with neurodegeneration. Previously, we showed AMI is cytotoxic in primary culture of mesencephalic cells (PCMC) and induces in vitro and in vivo neuroinflammation. On the other hand, the effect of rutin in central nervous system cells has revealed anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and neuroprotective potential. However, there have been no data studies on the effect of rutin against aminochrome neurotoxicity. Here, we show that rutin prevents lysosomal dysfunction and aminochrome-induced cell death in SHSY-5Y cells, protects PCMC against aminochrome cytotoxicity, and prevents in vivo loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNPc), as well as microgliosis and astrogliosis. Additionally, we show that rutin decreases levels of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) mRNA and increases levels of glia-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and nerve-derived neurotrophic factor (NGF) mRNA. We evidence for the first time the protective effect of rutin on PD aminochrome-induced models and suggest the potential role of the anti-inflammatory activity and upregulation of NGF and GDNF in the mechanism of rutin action against aminochrome neurotoxicity.

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BACKGROUND: Opioid anesthetic agents can modulate the impaired immune response in obese patients through mechanisms that involve the expression and release of cytokines. For this reason, anesthetic care for obese patients remains controversial. Therefore, the aim of the study was to compare the effect of opioid-containing anesthesia (OCA) vs opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) using the Cortínez-Sepúlveda model on IL-6, IL-1ß and TNF-α serum levels before and after surgery in obese patients undergoing bypass surgery. METHODS: This randomized cross-sectional study conducted among 40 unrelated obese adults was performed in the Civil Hospital of Guadalajara "Dr. Juan I. Menchaca". Before undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, patients were randomly assigned to two anesthesia groups: OCA (n = 20) or OFA (n = 20). Fentanyl was the opioid used in the OCA group. The Cortínez-Sepúlveda pharmacokinetic model was used to characterize the disposition of intravenous propofol for the target-controlled infusion technique in obese patients. Body mass was determined to the nearest 0.05 kg using a balance scale (Seca 703; Seca, Hamburg, Germany). Blood samples were taken before and immediately after surgery and cytokine concentrations were determined by ELISA. Pain was assessed using a numerical pain rating scale. Adverse effects were collected within the first 24 h after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 6 men and 34 women were included (37.9 ± 10.6 years). Pre-surgery IL-6 and TNF-α serum levels were not detected in study subjects. However, IL-1ß levels significantly decreased after surgery (49.58 pg/mL (18.50-112.20)-before surgery vs 13 pg/mL (5.43-22)-after surgery, p = 0.019). IL-6 concentrations were significantly higher in subjects who received OCA (with fentanyl) compared to subjects with OFA (224.5 pg/mL (186.3-262.8) vs 99.5 pg/mL (60.8-138.2), respectively, p < 0.001; adjusted by age, gender, and BMI). In addition, the use of opioids confers an increased risk for higher IL-6 levels in obese patients (OR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.2-7.2, p = 0.010). A linear regression model showed that the operative time (in hours) of bypass surgery and anesthetic technique were positively correlated with IL-6 levels. CONCLUSION: Anesthesia with opioids correlated positively with IL-6 serum levels in obese patients undergoing bypass surgery. This finding could have clinical relevance when an appropriate anesthetic management plan is selected for bariatric surgical patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Identification Number: NCT04854252, date 22/04/2021.

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Studies showed that JM-20, a benzodiazepine-dihydropyridine hybrid molecule, protects against rotenone and 6-hydroxydopamine neurotoxicity. However, its protective effects against cytotoxicity induced by endogenous neurotoxins involved in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis have never been investigated. In this study, we evaluated the ability of JM-20 to inhibit alpha-synuclein (aSyn) aggregation. We also evaluated the interactions of JM-20 with aSyn by molecular docking and molecular dynamics and assessed the protective effect of JM-20 against aminochrome cytotoxicity. We demonstrated that JM-20 induced the formation of heterogeneous amyloid fibrils, which were innocuous to primary cultures of mesencephalic cells. Moreover, JM-20 reduced the average size of aSyn positive inclusions in H4 cells transfected with SynT wild-type and synphilin-1-V5, but not in HEK cells transfected with synphilin-1-GFP. In silico studies showed the interaction between JM-20 and the aSyn-binding site. Additionally, we showed that JM-20 protects SH-SY5Y cells against aminochrome cytotoxicity. These results reinforce the potential of JM-20 as a neuroprotective compound for PD and suggest aSyn as a molecular target for JM-20.

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INTRODUCTION: SARS-CoV-2variants of concern (VOC) have been described in the UK (B.1.1.7), South Africa (B.1.351) and Brazil (P.1). Among them, the most scarce information has been obtained from the P.1 variant and more data on its global presence and about its spreading dynamics are needed. METHODS: Whole genome sequencing was performed prospectively on travellers arriving from Brazil and on a random selection of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases from our population. RESULTS: In this study we report the first SARS-CoV-2 P.1 and P.2 variants exported from Brazil to Spain. The case infected with the P.1 variant, who had only stayed in Rio de Janeiro, required hospitalisation. The two P.2 cases remained asymptomatic. A wider distribution for P.1 variant beyond the Brazilian Amazonia should be considered. The exportation of the P.2 variant, carrying the E484K mutation, deserves attention. One month after the first description of P.1 and P.2 importations from Brazil to Madrid, these variants were identified circulating in the community, in cases without a travel history, and involved in household transmissions CONCLUSION: Whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 positive travellers arriving from Brazil allowed us to identify the first importations of P.1 and P.2 variants to Spain and their early community transmission.

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