PUF3 RNA binding protein of Trypanosoma cruzi regulates mitochondrial morphology and function.

The RNA-binding PUF proteins are post-transcriptional regulators found throughout the eukaryotic domain. In Trypanosoma cruzi, ten Puf genes termed Puf1 to Puf10 have been identified. Considering that the control of gene expression in this parasite is mainly at the post-transcriptional level, we characterized the PUF3 protein by knocking out and overexpressing the gene in T. cruzi epimastigotes and studied different genetic and biological features. The RNA-seq analyses in both genotypes showed significant changes in the number of regulated transcripts compared with wild-type parasites. Thus, the number of differentially expressed genes in the knockout (ΔTcPuf3) and the overexpressor (pTEXTcPuf3) were 238 and 187, respectively. In the knockout, a more significant proportion of genes was negatively regulated (166 out of 238). In contrast, in the overexpressor, positively regulated genes were predominant (149 out of 170). Additionally, when we predicted the subcellular location of the differentially expressed genes, the results revealed an important representation of nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial proteins. Therefore, we determined whether overexpression or knockout of TcPuf3 could lead to changes in both mitochondrial structure and cellular respiration. When mitochondria from ΔTcPuf3 and pTEXTcPuf3 parasites were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), it was observed that the overexpressor had an abnormal mitochondrial morphology, evidenced by swelling. The results associated with cellular respiration showed that both the ΔTcPuf3 and pTEXTcPuf3 had a lower efficiency in routine respiration and the electron transport system capacity. Likewise, the mitochondria from overexpressing parasites showed a slight hyperpolarization. Additionally, several biological features, depending on the function of the mitochondria, were altered, such as growth, cell division, metacyclogenesis, ROS production, and response to benznidazole. In conclusion, our results suggest that although PUF3 is not an essential protein in T. cruzi, it influences mitochondrial transcripts, affecting mitochondrial morphology and function.

Tracing the Scientific Legacy: Bibliometric Analysis of LATAM Research in Bariatric Surgery for 33 Years.

INTRODUCTION: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) has experienced considerable growth, addressing the challenges of obesity and its complications. The lack of a comprehensive bibliometric analysis in Latin America motivates this study, highlighting the need to understand the evolution of research in this area and its impact on clinical decision-making and health policies. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional bibliometric study was carried out using the Scopus database. A structured search strategy was designed to identify articles related to bariatric surgery with authors affiliated with Latin American countries. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, followed by a descriptive and bibliometric analysis of the scientific production found. RESULTS: A total of 3553 documents published between 1991 and 2024 were included. There was an annual growth of 11%, with an average age of documents of 7.5 years. A concentration was observed in some countries, notably Brazil, Mexico, and Chile. Although scientific output increased, the average number of citations per article showed a downward trend since 2003. DISCUSSION: Despite the growth in scientific production, the quality and relevance of research is questioned, especially given the decrease in the impact received. It highlights the lack of meaningful regional collaboration, which could limit the sharing of knowledge and resources. Questions are raised about gaps in research capacity and the economic and development implications are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides valuable information to strengthen future research in bariatric surgery in Latin America. It highlights the importance of promoting regional and international collaboration and improving research training in countries with less participation. Clinical intervention strategies can benefit from better understanding research trends and adopting evidence-based practices in a more informed manner.

LINC00662 Promotes Aggressive Traits by Modulating OCT4 Expression through miR-335-5p in Gallbladder Cancer Cells.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are nucleotide sequences that participate in different biological processes and are associated with different pathologies, including cancer. Long intergenic non-protein-coding RNA 662 (LINC00662) has been reported to be involved in different cancers, including colorectal, prostate, and breast cancer. However, its role in gallbladder cancer has not yet been described. In this article, we hypothesize that LINC00662 has an important role in the acquisition of aggressiveness traits such as a stem-like phenotype, invasion, and chemoresistance in gallbladder cancer. Here, we show that LINC00662 is associated with larger tumor size and lymph node metastasis in patients with gallbladder cancer. Furthermore, we show that the overexpression of LINC00662 promotes an increase in CD133+/CD44+ cell populations and the expression of stemness-associated genes. LINC00662 promotes greater invasive capacity and the expression of genes associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In addition, the expression of LINC00662 promotes resistance to cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, associated with increased expression of chemoresistance-related ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in gallbladder cancer (GBC) cell lines. Finally, we show that the mechanism by which LINC00662 exerts its function is through a decrease in microRNA 335-5p (miR-335-5p) and an increase in octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) in GBC cells. Thus, our data allow us to propose LINC00662 as a biomarker of poor prognosis and a potential therapeutic target for patients with GBC.

Impact of nutrient warning labels on Colombian consumers' selection and identification of food and drinks high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fat: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the impact of nutrient warnings on product selection and ability to identify food products high in nutrients of concern in Colombia. METHODS: In an online experiment (May-June 2023), Colombian adults were randomized to a nutrient warning, guideline daily amounts (GDA), Nutri-Score, or no-label condition (n = 8,004). Participants completed selection tasks between two fruit drinks labeled according to their condition, one high in sugar and one not. Next, participants answered questions about products high in sugar, sodium, and/or saturated fat ("high-in" product). Finally, they selected which label would most discourage them from consuming a high-in product. RESULTS: Fewer participants (17%) exposed to the nutrient warning indicated they would purchase the high-sugar fruit drink compared to Nutri-Score (27%, Holm-adjusted (adj) p<0.001) and no label conditions (31%, adj p<0.001); there were no differences between the nutrient warning and GDA label (14%, adj p = 0.087). Compared to the nutrient warning, the GDA label was slightly more effective at helping consumers identify which drink was high in sugar (89% versus 92%, adj p<0.001), while the Nutri-Score and no-label conditions were less effective. Compared to all other conditions, nutrient warnings were more effective at helping participants identify that products were high in nutrients of concern, were more effective at decreasing intentions to purchase these high-in products and were perceived as more effective. Nutrient warnings were most often selected as the label that most discouraged consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Nutrient warnings are a promising policy to help consumers identify and discourage consumption of products high in nutrients of concern. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial Registration: NCT05783726.

Editorial for the Special Issue on Biomaterials, Biodevices and Tissue Engineering.

Biomaterials, biodevices, and tissue engineering represent the cutting edge of medical science, promising revolutionary solutions to some of humanity's most pressing health challenges (Figure 1) [...].

Influence of Alternative Prey on the Functional Response of a Predator in Two Contexts: With and without Intraguild Predation.

In biological control, joint releases of predators and parasitoids are standard. However, intraguild predation (IGP) can occur when a predator attacks a parasitoid, potentially affecting pest control dynamics. In addition to the focal prey (FP), Trialeurodes vaporariorum, the intraguild predator (IG-predator) Geocoris punctipes can consume the parasitoid Eretmocerus eremicus (IG-prey). In this IGP context with multiple prey, an alternative prey (AP), like the aphid Myzus persicae, may influence interactions. Theory predicts that, in simple interactions, a predator's functional response (FR) to the FP changes with the presence of an AP. However, whether this holds in an IGP context is unknown. In this study, we empirically tested that prediction. Our results show that without IGP, G. punctipes exhibits a generalized FR with and without AP. Nevertheless, with IGP, the predator exhibited a Type II FR at low and high AP densities, increasing pressure on the FP and potentially favoring short-term biological control strategies. However, when 25 AP were offered, the predator's response shifted, underscoring the importance of monitoring AP densities to prevent potential disruptions in FP control. In both contexts, the increase in AP produced a handling time increase and a decrease in consumption rate. These results indicate that the theoretical prediction of the effect of AP on the FR is met only under specific conditions, and the complexity of multitrophic interactions must be considered.

Machine learning classification based on k-Nearest Neighbors for PolSAR data.

In this work, we focus on obtaining insights of the performances of some well-known machine learning image classification techniques (k-NN, Support Vector Machine, randomized decision tree and one based on stochastic distances) for PolSAR (Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar) imagery. We test the classifiers methods on a set of actual PolSAR data and provide some conclusions. The aim of this work is to show that suitable adapted standard machine learning methods offer excellent performances vs. computational complexity trade-off for PolSAR image classification. In this work, we evaluate well-known machine learning techniques for PolSAR (Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar) image classification, including K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), randomized decision tree, and a method based on the Kullback-Leibler stochastic distance. Our experiments with real PolSAR data show that standard machine learning methods, when adapted appropriately, offer a favourable trade-off between performance and computational complexity. The KNN and SVM perform poorly on these data, likely due to their failure to account for the inherent speckle presence and properties of the studied reliefs. Overall, our findings highlight the potential of the Kullback-Leibler stochastic distance method for PolSAR image classification.

Microsurgical management of radicular cyst using guided tissue regeneration technique: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Radicular cyst is a lesion of odontogenic origin that arises from epithelial remains due to periapical periodontitis caused by inflammatory reactions generated at the apex of affected teeth with infected or necrotic pulps. The therapeutic management of radicular cysts is controversial. There is only one case report of enucleation of a radicular cyst managed with microsurgery and apicoectomy, but without the use of the guided tissue regeneration (GTR) technique in the same surgical procedure. The present clinical case describes the management of a radicular cyst with microsurgical approach, performance of an apicoectomy of the tooth associated with the entity, application of GTR technique, use of a resorbable membrane of type I bovine collagen, and bovine xenograft. CASE SUMMARY: A 68-year-old patient presented with a radicular cyst from an upper lateral incisor. The microsurgical management used was aimed at enucleating the chemical membrane, performing apicoectomy of the tooth along with careful and precise retrograde filling, and implementing GTR technique using a resorbable collagen membrane and bovine xenograft. The diagnosis of radicular cyst was confirmed using histopathological analysis. The patient underwent follow-up evaluations at 10 and 30 d postoperatively. At 4 months postoperative evaluation, she remained asymptomatic, and radiographs showed significant periapical healing with adequate bone formation. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that microsurgical management using the GTR technique with collagen membrane and xenograft, contributes to bone regeneration.

Labeled dataset for training despeckling filters for SAR imagery.

When training Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning models, especially by using Supervised Learning techniques, a labeled dataset is required to have an input with data and its corresponding labeled output data. In the case of images, for classification, segmentation, or other processing tasks, a pair of images is required in the same sense, one image as an input (the noisy image) and the desired (the denoised image) one as an output. For SAR despeckling applications, the common approach is to have a set of optical images that then are corrupted with synthetic noise, since there is no ground truth available. The corrupted image is considered the input and the optical one is the noiseless one (ground truth). In this paper, we provide a dataset based on actual SAR images. The ground truth was obtained from SAR images of Sentinel 1 of the same region in different instants of time and then they were processed and merged into one single image that serves as the output of the dataset. Every SAR image (noisy and ground truth) was split into 1600 images of 512 × 512 pixels, so a total of 3200 images were obtained. The dataset was also split into 3000 for training and 200 for validation, all of them available in four labeled folders.

Transfusión intrauterina, hidrops fetal no inmune: reporte de un caso / Intrauterine transfusion, non-immune fetal hydrops: case report / Transfusão intrauterina, hidropisia fetal não imune: relato de caso

Introducción: el hidrops fetal es grave, de mal pronóstico y alta morbimortalidad, a pesar de mejoras diagnósticas y terapéuticas desarrolladas en los últimos tiempos. El pronóstico estará determinado por la etiología y posibilidades terapéuticas asociadas a mejores resultados, a la edad gestacional, al diagnóstico y al nacimiento, si bien cabe destacar que no existen suficientes estudios de seguimiento a largo plazo. El diagnóstico ecográfico es confirmatorio, siendo la principal complejidad identificar la etiología y plantear la estrategia terapéutica adecuada. Descripción del caso: presentamos una paciente con diagnóstico de hidrops fetal de tipo no inmune y su abordaje terapéutico. La causa del hidrops correspondió a anemia fetal severa, requiriendo la realización de tres procedimientos con exanguinotransfusión parcial intrauterina mediante cordocentesis. A las 33 semanas, se decidió la finalización del embarazo, con buena evolución neonatal. Conclusión: el hidrops fetal aumenta la morbimortalidad fetal y neonatal, siendo un enorme desafío para el equipo tratante, que requiere de un equipo asistencial interdisciplinario. El conocimiento de esta patología permite realizar un abordaje completo, orientar a la etiología, realizando un diagnóstico oportuno y la selección adecuada del tratamiento. Como en este caso, al identificar la anemia severa como causa del hidrops, es mandatorio definir el manejo para los fetos candidatos a terapia intrauterina.

Introduction: fetal hydrops is a serious condition with a poor prognosis and high morbidity and mortality, despite improvements in diagnostics and therapeutics in recent years. Prognosis is determined by the etiology and therapeutic options associated with better outcomes, gestational age, diagnosis, and birth, although it should be noted that there are not enough long-term follow-up studies. Ultrasound diagnosis is confirmatory, with the main challenge being to identify the etiology and propose the appropriate therapeutic strategy. Description of the case: we present a patient diagnosed with non-immune fetal hydrops and its therapeutic approach. The cause of hydrops was severe fetal anemia, requiring 3 procedures with intrauterine partial exsanguination transfusion through Cordocentesis. At 33 weeks, the decision was made to terminate the pregnancy, with good neonatal outcomes. Conclusions: fetal hydrops increases fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, posing a significant challenge for the treating team and requiring an interdisciplinary healthcare team. Understanding this condition allows for a comprehensive approach, guiding the etiology, providing timely diagnosis, and selecting appropriate treatment. As in this case, identifying severe anemia as the cause of hydrops mandates defining the management for fetuses eligible for intrauterine therapy.

Introdução: a hidropisia fetal é grave, com mau prognóstico e elevada morbimortalidade, apesar das melhorias diagnósticas e terapêuticas desenvolvidas nos últimos tempos. O prognóstico será determinado pela etiologia e possibilidades terapêuticas associadas a melhores resultados, idade gestacional, diagnóstico e nascimento, embora se deva salientar que não existem estudos suficientes de seguimento a longo prazo. O diagnóstico ultrassonográfico é confirmatório, sendo a principal complexidade identificar a etiologia e propor a estratégia terapêutica adequada. Descrição do caso: apresentamos uma paciente com diagnóstico de hidropisia fetal não imune e sua abordagem terapêutica. A causa da hidropisia correspondeu a anemia fetal grave, sendo necessária a realização de 3 procedimentos com exsanguineotransfusão intrauterina parcial por meio de cordocentese. Às 33 semanas foi decidida a interrupção da gravidez, com boa evolução neonatal. Conclusão: a hidropisia fetal aumenta a morbimortalidade fetal e neonatal, sendo um enorme desafio para a equipe responsável pelo tratamento, necessitando de uma equipe de atendimento interdisciplinar. O conhecimento desta patologia permite uma abordagem completa, orientação sobre a etiologia, diagnóstico atempado e seleção do tratamento adequado. Assim como neste caso, quando se identifica anemia grave como causa da hidropisia, é obrigatória a definição do manejo para os fetos candidatos à terapia intrauterina.

Advances towards the use of gastrointestinal tumor patient-derived organoids as a therapeutic decision-making tool.

In December 2022 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed the requirement that drugs in development must undergo animal testing before clinical evaluation, a declaration that now demands the establishment and verification of ex vivo preclinical models that closely represent tumor complexity and that can predict therapeutic response. Fortunately, the emergence of patient-derived organoid (PDOs) culture has enabled the ex vivo mimicking of the pathophysiology of human tumors with the reassembly of tissue-specific features. These features include histopathological variability, molecular expression profiles, genetic and cellular heterogeneity of parental tissue, and furthermore growing evidence suggests the ability to predict patient therapeutic response. Concentrating on the highly lethal and heterogeneous gastrointestinal (GI) tumors, herein we present the state-of-the-art and the current methodology of PDOs. We highlight the potential additions, improvements and testing required to allow the ex vivo of study the tumor microenvironment, as well as offering commentary on the predictive value of clinical response to treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Ruta colombiana del colesterol. Mesa redonda nacional sobre el colesterol en Colombia. Llamado a la acción / Colombian Cholesterol Roadmap. National roundtable on cholesterol in Colombia. Call to action

Resumen La enfermedad cardiovascular aterosclerótica (infarto de miocardio, accidente cerebrovascular y enfermedad arterial periférica) continúan siendo las causas más importantes de muerte prematura, discapacidad y gastos en atención médica en todo el mundo. Por lo tanto, evitar la acumulación vascular de lipoproteínas aterogénicas de colesterol es fundamental para prevenir los eventos cardiovasculares mayores. La actualización de la ruta colombiana del colesterol, Colombian Cholesterol Roadmap, es el resultado de la reunión realizada en el Congreso Nacional de Cardiología 2023, con el apoyo de la Federación Mundial del Corazón y una mesa de expertos clínicos, temáticos y representantes de diferentes instituciones relacionadas con el manejo de las dislipidemias en Colombia. Este documento tiene como objetivo ser un marco conceptual para describir los hallazgos y logros obtenidos a partir de las mesas de trabajo relacionadas con la identificación de barreras que limitan el tratamiento adecuado de la hipercolesterolemia en Colombia y las acciones que fueron propuestas ajustadas al contexto local que buscan desarrollar políticas nacionales y enfoques en nuestros sistemas de salud. Así mismo, confirma el compromiso del trabajo articulado intersectorial para lograr las metas en salud cardiovascular propuestas para el año 2030.

Abstract Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (including myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease) continue to be a leading cause of premature death, disability, and healthcare expenditures worldwide. Therefore, preventing the vascular accumulation of atherogenic cholesterol-containing lipoproteins is crucial in averting major cardiovascular events. The Colombian Cholesterol Roadmap update is the outcome of a meeting held during the 2023 National Cardiology Congress, with the support of the World Heart Federation and a panel of clinical and thematic experts, along with representatives from various institutions involved in the management of dyslipidaemias in Colombia. The present update of this Cholesterol Roadmap provides a conceptual framework to describe the findings and achievements derived from working groups focused on identifying barriers that hinder the appropriate treatment of hypercholesterolemia in Colombia. It also outlines proposed actions adjusted to the local context, aiming to develop national policies and approaches within our healthcare systems. Furthermore, it reaffirms the commitment to intersectoral collaboration to achieve the cardiovascular health goals set for the year 2030.

Exceso de peso y antecedentes heredofamiliares, una oportunidad de acción desde la Universidad / Excess weight and hereditary family history, an opportunity for action from the University

Resumen Objetivo: Identificar a los estudiantes con sobrepeso y obesidad, con antecedentes heredofamiliares para hipertensión y diabetes mellitus y sus hábitos de salud. Materiales y métodos: Cuestionario en línea. Participaron estudiantes de primer ingreso de diferentes programas académicos. Se incluyeron aspectos de antecedentes heredofamiliares, índice de masa corporal, y hábitos de salud. Se estimó asociación por regresión logística. Resultados: De 1211 estudiantes el 68% fueron mujeres. Se reportó bajo peso 10%, normo peso 65% y exceso de peso 25%. El 28% tuvo antecedentes heredo familiares (AHF) para diabetes mellitus y 14% para hipertensión. En un análisis estratificado por sexo, el consumo de alcohol se asoció a exceso de peso en los hombres (OR = 2.3, IC95% [1.1-5.0], p = 0.031); y en las mujeres lo fue el AHF para hipertensión arterial (OR = 2.2, IC95% [1.3-3.7], p = 0.004). Conclusión: Ser hombre, fumar, consumo de alcohol y AHF para hipertensión arterial fueron factores asociados a exceso de peso. En las universidades todavía es tiempo para establecer un proyecto de acción para mantener y promocionar la salud.

Abstract Objective: Identify overweight and obese students with a family history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus and their health habits at the University Center of Health Sciences. Materials and methods: Online questionnaire. First year students of different academic programs participated. Aspects of hereditary family history, body mass index, and health habits were included. Association was estimated by logistic regression. Results: Out of 1755 students, 68% were women. Low weight 10%, normal weight 65% and excess weight 25% were reported. 28% had a hereditary family history (AHF) for diabetes mellitus and 14% for hypertension. In an analysis stratified by sex, alcohol consumption was associated with excess weight in men (OR = 2.3, IC95% [1.1-5.0], p = 0.031); and in women it was AHF for arterial hypertension (OR = 2.2, IC95% [1.3-3.7], p = 0.004). Conclusion: Being a man, smoking, alcohol consumption and AHF for arterial hypertension were factors associated with excess weight. At universities, is still time to an action project to maintain and promote health.

Detection of Pedestrians in Reverse Camera Using Multimodal Convolutional Neural Networks.

In recent years, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the automotive industry has led to the development of intelligent systems focused on road safety, aiming to improve protection for drivers and pedestrians worldwide to reduce the number of accidents yearly. One of the most critical functions of these systems is pedestrian detection, as it is crucial for the safety of everyone involved in road traffic. However, pedestrian detection goes beyond the front of the vehicle; it is also essential to consider the vehicle's rear since pedestrian collisions occur when the car is in reverse drive. To contribute to the solution of this problem, this research proposes a model based on convolutional neural networks (CNN) using a proposed one-dimensional architecture and the Inception V3 architecture to fuse the information from the backup camera and the distance measured by the ultrasonic sensors, to detect pedestrians when the vehicle is reversing. In addition, specific data collection was performed to build a database for the research. The proposed model showed outstanding results with 99.85% accuracy and 99.86% correct classification performance, demonstrating that it is possible to achieve the goal of pedestrian detection using CNN by fusing two types of data.

Food for thought or food for emotions? An analysis of marketing strategies in television food advertising seen by children in Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the relationship between the marketing strategies and nutritional quality of foods and beverages promoted in television food advertisements (TV ads) seen by Colombian child audiences overall and based on child gender and socio-economic strata (SES). DESIGN: A quantitative content analysis of marketing appeals was combined with nutritional data of the food products advertised and matched with TV audience ratings data for each food and beverage ads for Colombian children between 4 and 11 years. SETTING: All beverages and foods TV ads cable or over-the-air channels in Colombia in 2017. PARTICIPANTS: N/A. RESULTS: Compared with rational appeals (e.g. freshness, health or nutrition messages), emotional appeals (referencing or depicting human senses or emotions, e.g. using cartoons to suggest fun) were more frequently used in the TV ads most viewed by Colombian children. Female children and children in lower SES tended to be more exposed to emotional appeals in TV ads than their male or higher SES counterparts. Furthermore, TV ads using more emotional appeals tended to be for products high in problematic nutrients. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study highlight the need to implement statutory measures to reduce the deleterious effect of food marketing on children.