Phylogenetic variations in a novel family of hyperstable apple snail egg proteins: insights into structural stability and functional trends.

The relationship between protein stability and function evolution has not been explored in proteins from natural sources. Here, we investigate the phylogenetic differences of Perivitellin-1 (PV1) a novel family of hyperstable egg carotenoproteins crucial to the reproductive success of Pomacea snails, as they have evolved clade-specific protective functions. We studied P. patula PV1 (PpaPV1) from Flagellata clade eggs, the most basal of Pomacea and compared it with PV1s orthologs from derived clades. PpaPV1 stands as the most stable, with longer unfolding half-life, resistance to detergent unfolding, and therefore higher kinetic stability than PV1s from derived clades. In fact, PpaPV1 is among the most hyperstable proteins described in nature. In addition, its spectral characteristics providing a pale egg coloration, mild lectin activity and glycan specificity are narrower than derived clades. Our results provide evidence indicating large structural and functional changes along the evolution of the genus. Notably, the lectin binding of PpaPV1 is less pronounced, and its glycan specificity is narrower compared to PV1s in the sister Bridgesii clade. Our findings underscore the phylogenetic disparities in terms of structural and kinetic stability, as well as defensive traits like a potent lectin activity affecting the gut morphology of potential predators within the Bridgesii clade or a conspicuous, likely warning coloration, within the Canaliculata clade. This work provides a comprehensive comparison of the structural attributes, stability profiles, and functional roles of apple snail egg PV1s from multiple species within a phylogenetic context. Furthermore, it proposes an evolutionary hypothesis suggesting a trade-off between structural stability and the functional aspects of apple snail's major egg defense protein.

[Positron emission tomography-CT scan (PET-CT) in the diagnosis of large vessel vasculitis]. / PET-CT FDG en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de vasculitis de grandes vasos.

Vasculitides are a broad group of diseases that can involve any kind of vessel in any organ. These can be classified according to the size of the affected vessels. The most used classification categorizes them in small, medium, and large vessel vasculitis. Large vessel vasculitis can be further divided in Takayasu arteritis and giant cell arteritis which can sometimes be indistinguishable, even with biopsy. Radiology plays an important role identifying distribution patterns and disease extension18. Fluorine-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET-CT shows increased vessel wall FDG uptake in patients with active large vessel vasculitis. Multiple studies show that FDG PET-CT helps to identify the anatomic structures with the disease, as well as evaluate its progression with a high sensibility and specificity in non-treated patients with large vessel vasculitis.

PET-CT FDG en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de vasculitis de grandes vasos / Positron emission tomography-CT scan (PET-CT) in the diagnosis of large vessel vasculitis

Vasculitides are a broad group of diseases that can involve any kind of vessel in any organ. These can be classified according to the size of the affected vessels. The most used classification categorizes them in small, medium, and large vessel vasculitis. Large vessel vasculitis can be further divided in Takayasu arteritis and giant cell arteritis which can sometimes be indistinguishable, even with biopsy. Radiology plays an important role identifying distribution patterns and disease extension18. Fluorine-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET-CT shows increased vessel wall FDG uptake in patients with active large vessel vasculitis. Multiple studies show that FDG PET-CT helps to identify the anatomic structures with the disease, as well as evaluate its progression with a high sensibility and specificity in non-treated patients with large vessel vasculitis.

Social anxiety disorder among patients with multiple sclerosis: a population-based case-control study in Ecuador. / Trastorno de ansiedad social en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple: estudio poblacional de casos y controles en Ecuador.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies have found that individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience relatively high rates of anxiety and depression; however, there are few reports about social anxiety in individuals with MS. AIM: To analyze the prevalence of social anxiety disorder and other psychiatric comorbidities in MS patients compared to matched controls. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We included 50 patients with MS that were seen during regularly scheduled visits and 50 sex- and age-matched participants from the general population within a six-month interval. All included participants completed the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale with 21 items (DASS-21). We defined clinically significant social anxiety symptoms as SPIN scores = 19. RESULTS: The MS patients' mean age was 41.9 years (54% female). The self-reported psychosocial assessments showed that MS participants were more likely to present positive social anxiety symptoms (OR = 7.37; 95% CI = 1.99-27.30; p < 0.001), depression (OR = 3.76; 95% CI = 1.41-10.10; p = 0.006), stress (OR = 2.67; 95% CI = 1.09-6.52; p = 0.029), and general anxiety (OR = 4.70; 95% CI = 1.93-11.40; p < 0.001) than the general population. There were moderate correlations between social anxiety and depression (p = 0,006), general anxiety (p = 0,001), and stress (p < 0,001) in MS patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MS had a higher risk of presenting social anxiety symptoms than a matched control group in a Hispanic population.

TITLE: Trastorno de ansiedad social en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple: estudio poblacional de casos y controles en Ecuador.Introducción. Varios estudios han encontrado que individuos con esclerosis múltiple (EM) presentan tasas altas de ansiedad y depresión; sin embargo, hay pocos informes sobre ansiedad social en individuos con EM. Objetivo. Analizar la prevalencia del trastorno de ansiedad social y otras comorbilidades psiquiátricas en pacientes con EM en comparación con los controles pareados. Sujetos y métodos. Durante un intervalo de seis meses, incluimos a 50 pacientes con EM que fueron observados durante visitas programadas regularmente y a 50 participantes de la población general pareados por sexo y edad. Todos los participantes completaron el inventario de fobia social (SPIN) y la escala de depresión, ansiedad y estrés de 21 ítems. Definimos síntomas de ansiedad social clínicamente significativos los que tenían un resultado en el SPIN mayor o igual a 19. Resultados. La edad media de los pacientes con EM era de 41,9 años (el 54%, mujeres). Las evaluaciones psicológicas notificadas demostraron que los participantes con EM tenían más probabilidad de presentar síntomas positivos de ansiedad social (OR = 7,37; IC 95% = 1,99-27,30; p < 0,001), depresión (OR = 3,76; IC 95% = 1,41-10,10; p = 0,006), estrés (OR = 2,67; IC 95% = 1,09-6,52; p = 0,029) y ansiedad general (OR = 4,70; IC 95% = 1,93-11,40; p < 0,001) que la población general. Se observaron correlaciones moderadas entre ansiedad social y depresión (p = 0,006), ansiedad general (p = 0,001) y estrés (p < 0,001) en los pacientes con EM. Conclusiones. Los pacientes con EM tienen un riesgo más elevado de presentar síntomas de ansiedad social que la población hispana en general.

The intimate partner abuse screening test (IPAST): validation in a family practice population in Trinidad

INTRODUCTION: Intimate Partner Abuse (IPA) is defined as physical, sexual, economic or psychological abuse to an individual perpertrated by a current or former partner (1). In primary care settings, the prevalence of IPA ranges from 15 per cent - 66 percent with an average approaching 50 per cent for lifetime experiences of abuse. Additionally, WHO studies, from 40 population-based studies done in 24 countires in four continents, found that 25 per cent to 50 per cent of women were victims of assult perpetrated by a male partner. It is important to note that the literature contains several terms when discussing this issue. These include domestic violence (DV), intimate partner abuse and intimate partner violence. DV is taken to refer to the wider violence occurring in the home between family members or persons living in the same home...

Síndrome de turner: revisión de caso

El presente caso es el de una paciente de 14 años oriunda del sur de Manabí, que presentó todas las características anatómicas, clínicas, parámetros endocrinológicos y genéticos del Síndrome de Turner y por ser esta una patología genética de muy baja incidencia a nivel mundial merece análisis. A la paciente se le realizó estudio clínico, endocrinológico, genético, radiológico, ecosonográfico y tomográfico para llegar al diagnóstico definitivo.