Graphene Quantum Dots from Natural Carbon Sources for Drug and Gene Delivery in Cancer Treatment.

Cancer therapy is constantly evolving, with a growing emphasis on targeted and efficient treatment options. In this context, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have emerged as promising agents for precise drug and gene delivery due to their unique attributes, such as high surface area, photoluminescence, up-conversion photoluminescence, and biocompatibility. GQDs can damage cancer cells and exhibit intrinsic photothermal conversion and singlet oxygen generation efficiency under specific light irradiation, enhancing their effectiveness. They serve as direct therapeutic agents and versatile drug delivery platforms capable of being easily functionalized with various targeting molecules and therapeutic agents. However, challenges such as achieving uniform size and morphology, precise bandgap engineering, and scalability, along with minimizing cytotoxicity and the environmental impact of their production, must be addressed. Additionally, there is a need for a more comprehensive understanding of cellular mechanisms and drug release processes, as well as improved purification methods. Integrating GQDs into existing drug delivery systems enhances the efficacy of traditional treatments, offering more efficient and less invasive options for cancer patients. This review highlights the transformative potential of GQDs in cancer therapy while acknowledging the challenges that researchers must overcome for broader application.

Heavy metals in soils derived from sedimentary rocks of the Gurgueia River watershed, Northeast, Brazil: background values, distribution and ecological risk assessment.

The concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) can be increased by various anthropogenic activities such as mining, fuel combustion, pesticide use, and urban development, which can alter the mechanisms determining their spatial variability in the environment. Determining natural concentrations, monitoring, and assessing potential ecological risks are essential in the management of pollution prevention policies and soil conservation in watersheds. The aim of this study was to determine HMs natural concentrations, establish quality reference values (QRVs), and evaluate pollution indices in a watershed-scale. Composite surface soil samples (n = 115) were collected from areas: native vegetation, pasture, perennial crops, urbanization, planted forest, annual crops, and desertification. The soil samples digestion followed the EPA 3051A, and metals determination in ICP-OES. The data were subjected to the Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman's correlation, multivariate clustering analysis and. geostatistics. The QRVs established (75th) for the Gurgueia River watershed in descending order were (mg kg-1): V (26.16) > Cr (18.06) > Pb (6.24) > Zn (3.86) > Cu (2.66) > Ni (1.45) > Co (0.57) > Mo (0.46) > Cd (0.07). The concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Mo, Ni, V, and Zn in types of land and management practices were significantly increased compared to those in natural vegetation. Overall, the watershed falls into the categories of minimal to moderate enrichment, moderate to considerable contamination, and low to moderate potential ecological risk, with Cd presenting elevated values. The percentages of polluted samples ranged from 14.3 to 82.5%, indicating the need for monitoring these areas to ensure environmental quality and food safety.

Streptomyces as a Novel Biotool for Azo Pigments Remediation in Contaminated Scenarios.

BACKGROUND: Azo pigments are widely used in the textile and leather industry, and they generate diverse contaminants (mainly in wastewater effluents) that affect biological systems, the rhizosphere community, and the natural activities of certain species. METHODS: This review was performed according to the Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. RESULTS: In the last decade, the use of Streptomyces species as biological azo-degraders has increased, and these bacteria are mainly isolated from mangroves, dye-contaminated soil, and marine sediments. Azo pigments such as acid orange, indigo carmine, Congo red, and Evans blue are the most studied compounds for degradation, and Streptomyces produces extracellular enzymes such as peroxidase, laccase, and azo reductase. These enzymes cleave the molecule through asymmetric cleavage, followed by oxidative cleavage, desulfonation, deamination, and demethylation. Typically, some lignin-derived and phenolic compounds are used as mediators to improve enzyme activity. The degradation process generates diverse compounds, the majority of which are toxic to human cells and, in some cases, can improve the germination process in some horticulture plants. CONCLUSIONS: Future research should include analytical methods to detect all of the molecules that are generated in degradation processes to determine the involved reactions. Moreover, future studies should delve into consortium studies to improve degradation efficiency and observe the relationship between microorganisms to generate scale-up biotechnological applications in the wastewater treatment industry.

Improving the medium composition for the production of the natural blue-violet pigment violacein by a new Janthinobacterium sp. isolate.

The interest in natural compounds has increased primarily due to their beneficial health and environmental aspects. However, natural sources of some compounds, such as bluish pigments, are limited, requiring the development of efficient processes to meet commercial demands. This study isolated a blue-violet bacterium from spoiled cooked rice and identified it as a potential new species of Janthinobacterium through 16S rDNA analysis. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analyses confirmed that the blue-violet pigment violacein was responsible for the bluish color. In laboratory conditions, different carbon and nitrogen sources were evaluated in submerged culture media to enhance pigment production. Glycerol did not result in significant pigment production by this strain, as expected from previous reports. Instead, a culture medium composed of yeast extract and fructose yielded higher pigment production, reaching about 113.68 ± 16.68 mg l-1 after 120 h. This result provides crucial insights for future studies aiming for sustainable and commercially viable violacein production. Based on a bioeconomy concept, this approach has the potential to supply natural and economic bluish pigments for various industrial sectors, including pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food.

Capability of big data to capture threatened vertebrate diversity in protected areas.

Protected areas (PAs) are an essential tool for conservation amid the global biodiversity crisis. Optimizing PAs to represent species at risk of extinction is crucial. Vertebrate representation in PAs is assessed using species distribution databases from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Evaluating and addressing discrepancies and biases in these data sources are vital for effective conservation strategies. Our objective was to gain insights into the potential constraints (e.g., differences and biases) of these global repositories to objectively depict the diversity of threatened vertebrates in the global system of PAs. We assessed differences in species richness (SR) of threatened vertebrates as reported by IUCN and GBIF in PAs globally and then compared how biased this information was with reports from independent sources for a subset of PAs. Both databases showed substantial differences in SR in PAs (t = -62.35, p ≤ 0.001), but differences varied among regions and vertebrate groups. When these results were compared with data from independent assessments, IUCN overestimated SR by 575% on average and GBIF underestimated SR by 63% on average, again with variable results among regions and groups. Our results indicate the need to improve analyses of the representativeness of threatened vertebrates in PAs such that robust and unbiased assessments of PA effectiveness can be conducted. The scientific community and decision makers should consider these regional and taxonomic disparities when using IUCN and GBIF distributional data sources in PA assessment. Overall, supplementing information in these databases could lead to more robust and reliable analyses. Additional efforts to acquire more comprehensive and unbiased data on species distributions to support conservation decisions are clearly needed.

Capacidad de los macrodatos para capturar la diversidad de vertebrados amenazados en las áreas protegidas Resumen Las áreas protegidas (AP) son una herramienta esencial para la conservación en medio de la crisis mundial de biodiversidad. Es crucial optimizar las AP para que representen a las especies en peligro de extinción. La representación de vertebrados en las AP se evalúa con las bases de datos de distribución de especies de la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (UICN) y del Sistema Global de Información sobre Biodiversidad (GBIF). Es muy importante evaluar y abordar las discrepancias y sesgos en estas fuentes de datos para tener estrategias de conservación eficaces. Nuestro objetivo es conocer las limitaciones potenciales (por ejemplo, diferencias y sesgos) de estos repositorios globales para representar objetivamente la diversidad de vertebrados amenazados en el sistema global de AP. Analizamos las diferencias en la riqueza de especies (RE) de vertebrados amenazados según los informes de la UICN y GBIF en AP a nivel mundial y luego comparamos el grado de sesgo de esta información con los informes de fuentes independientes para un subconjunto de AP. Ambas bases de datos mostraron diferencias sustanciales en la RE en las AP (t = ­62.35, p = <0.001), pero las diferencias variaron entre regiones y grupos de vertebrados. Cuando comparamos estos resultados con datos de evaluaciones independientes, la UICN sobreestimó la RE en un 575% en promedio y el GBIF la subestimó en un 63% en promedio, de nuevo con resultados variables entre regiones y grupos. Nuestros resultados indican la necesidad de mejorar los análisis de representación de los vertebrados amenazados en las AP para que se puedan llevar a cabo evaluaciones sólidas e imparciales de la efectividad de las AP. La comunidad científica y los responsables de la toma de decisiones deberían tener en cuenta estas disparidades regionales y taxonómicas al utilizar las fuentes de datos distribucionales de la UICN y del GBIF en la evaluación de AP. En general, complementar la información de estas bases de datos podría conducir a análisis más sólidos y fiables. Está claro que se necesitan esfuerzos adicionales para adquirir datos más completos e imparciales sobre la distribución de las especies para apoyar las decisiones de conservación.

Cumplimiento de las recomendaciones de la OMS para la notificación de COVID-19 en Argentina

Introducción : La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) efectuó recomendaciones en relación con la recopilación y notificación de datos agregados semanales de COVID-19. Objetivo : Investigar el grado de cumplimiento de las recomendaciones elaboradas por la OMS para la notificación de casos y muertes de COVID-19 en la Argentina durante el año 2020 a 2022, y comparar la notificación de muertes con el número de defunciones por COVID-19 consolidadas en el registro de estadísticas vitales del país. Materiales y métodos : Estudio cuantitativo descriptivo, basado en revisión documental y en fuentes de datos secundarias. Se utilizó los reportes diarios de información epidemiológica y la base de datos Dataset, COVID-19 casos registrados en la República Argentina. Adicionalmente, para estimar la omisión en los registros epidemiológicos de fallecimientos por COVID-19 en los años 2020 y 2021, se cotejaron los resultados de las bases de datos Dataset COVID-19 con la base de las Estadísticas vitales de mortalidad por causa de defunción, proporcionadas por la Dirección de Estadísticas e Información en Salud (DEIS). Se analizaron las variables recomendadas por la OMS para la notificación de casos y muertes por COVID-19. En cuanto a las consideraciones éticas relacionadas con el uso de la información utilizada en este trabajo, las bases de datos cumplen con lo estipulado por la Ley Nacional N° 17.622 de Resguardo del Secreto Estadístico, garantizando que la información mantiene el carácter confidencial y reservado del informante. Resultados: Del análisis de los reportes diarios, durante 2020 se observó que, de los 13 indicadores recomendados, 9 presentan datos algunos meses y los 4 restantes no se relevaron; en 2021 solo 7 indicadores presentaron datos algunos meses, y en 2022 solo 3 indicadores se continuaron informando. Respecto al análisis de la base de datos Dataset COVID-19, la mayoría fueron captadas. Respecto a la comparación de los valores de las defunciones registradas por el sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica y por la DEIS para los años 2020 y 2021, las muertes registradas fueron superiores en el registro de la DEIS (9,6% y 14,2%). Conclusiones : El Estado argentino cumplió con gran parte de las recomendaciones que establece la OMS para la notificación de los casos de COVID-19. Estudios posteriores deberían analizar otros componentes de la calidad de los datos, así como la oportunidad de los registros de defunciones, característica necesaria para la toma de decisiones en salud pública.

Introduction : The World Health Organization (WHO) establishes recommendations regarding the collection and reporting of weekly aggregated data on COVID-19. Objective : To investigate the degree of compliance with the recommendations made by the WHO for the reporting of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Argentina during the years 2020 to 2022, and to compare death notifications with the number of COVID-19 deaths recorded in the country's vital statistics registry. Materials and methods : Descriptive quantitative study, based on a documentary review and secondary data sources. Daily reports of epidemiological information and the Dataset database containing registered COVID-19 cases in the Argentine Republic were used. Additionally, to estimate the omission in the epidemiological records of COVID-19 deaths in the years 2020 and 2021, the results of the Dataset COVID-19 databases were compared with the vital statistics death registry on cause of death, provided by the Directorate of Statistics and Health Information (DEIS, by its acronym in Spanish). The variables recommended by the WHO for the reporting of COVID-19 cases and deaths were analyzed. As for the ethical considerations related to the use of the information in this study, the databases comply with the provisions of National Law 17,622 on the Protection of Statistical Secrecy, ensuring that the information remains confidential and reserved for the informant. Results : From the analysis of daily reports, it was observed that in 2020, out of the 13 recommended indicators, 9 had data for some months, and the remaining 4 were not reported. In 2021 only 7 indicators had data for some months, and in 2022 only 3 indicators continued to be reported. Regarding the analysis of the Dataset COVID-19 database, most data were captured. In comparing the values of deaths recorded by the epidemiological surveillance system and by the DEIS for the years 2020 and 2021, the deaths recorded were higher in the DEIS registry (9.6% and 14.2%). Conclusions : The Argentine state largely complied with the recommendations established by the WHO for the reporting of COVID-19 cases. Subsequent studies should analyze other components of data quality, as well as the timeliness of death records, a necessary characteristic for public health decision-making.

Valorization of Taioba Products and By-Products: Focusing on Starch.

Unconventional food plants, popularized in Brazil as PANC, remain underutilized globally. In that sense, this study aims to explore the nutritional and functional properties of taioba (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), a plant with edible leaves and tubers, and to investigate its potential for industrial-scale application as a source of starch. A systematic review was carried out and meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines was conducted based on a random effects synthesis of multivariable-adjusted relative risks (RRs). The searches were carried out in seven search sources, among which were Web of Science, Elsevier's Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, Springer Nature, Taylor & Francis, Hindawi, Scielo, ACS-American Chemical Society, and Google Scholar. The systematic review was guided by a systematic review protocol based on the POT strategy (Population, Outcome, and Types of studies), adapted for use in this research. Mendeley was a resource used for organization, to manage references, and to exclude duplicates of studies selected for review. The findings revealed that taioba leaves are abundant in essential nutrients, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Additionally, the tubers offer rich starch content along with vitamins and minerals like iron, potassium, and calcium, making them an ideal substitute for conventional sources on an industrial scale. This research highlights the significance of studying the functionalities, applicability, and integration of this PANC in our diets, while also emphasizing its capability as a substitute for traditional starch varieties. Moreover, exploiting this plant's potential adds value to Amazonian resources, reduces import costs, and diversifies resource utilization across multiple industrial sectors.

Pregnant women's perceptions on Information Sources on Zika Virus: a qualitative study.

The Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic had a sanitary, psychosocial, and economic impact on individuals of reproductive age. The primary concern revolved around infection during pregnancy due to possible vertical transmission and its association with adverse fetal and infant outcomes, known as Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). This qualitative study employs phenomenology and grounded theory. This study includes interviews with 98 women, some pregnant during the ZIKV epidemic in Brazil, Colombia, and Puerto Rico, who had children with CZS or without diagnosed neurological impairment. Additionally, the study included a group of women who were pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic in these same countries. In both groups, interviewees had varying levels of knowledge about ZIKV. The study found that messages conveyed through the media tended to be alarmist, in contrast to the information provided by healthcare professionals, which was considered more trustworthy. Pregnant women during the ZIKV epidemic reported receiving their ZIKV and CSZ infection diagnoses late, either during or after childbirth. The study underscores the needs of pregnant women in high-risk scenarios, the importance of health education processes, and the necessity to reinforce communication and continuing education.

A epidemia do vírus Zika (ZIKV) teve impacto sanitário, psicossocial e econômico sobre pessoas em idade reprodutiva. A principal preocupação foi a infecção durante a gravidez devido a possível transmissão vertical e sua associação com resultados fetais e infantis adversos, conhecida como síndrome congênita associada à infecção pelo Vírus Zika (SCZ). Este estudo qualitativo utiliza a fenomenologia e a teoria fundamentada. O estudo inclui entrevistas com 98 mulheres, parte grávida durante a epidemia de ZIKV no Brasil, Colômbia e Porto Rico e que tiveram filhos com SCZ ou sem comprometimento neurológico diagnosticado. Além disso, o estudo inclui um grupo de mulheres grávidas durante a pandemia de COVID-19 nos mesmos países. Em ambos os grupos, as entrevistadas tinham diferentes níveis de conhecimento sobre ZIKV. O estudo constatou que as mensagens veiculadas por meio da mídia eram alarmistas; em contraste com as informações fornecidas por profissionais de saúde, consideradas mais confiáveis. Mulheres gestantes durante a epidemia do ZIKV relataram ter recebido seu diagnóstico de infecção por ZIKV e SCZ tardiamente ou após o parto. O estudo destaca as necessidades das mulheres grávidas em cenários de alto risco, a importância de processos de educação em saúde e a necessidade de reforçar a comunicação e a educação continuada.

Cryptococcus laurentii: a wild yeast for xylanase production from agricultural by-products.

The development of technologies that allow the production of enzymes at a competitive cost is of great importance for several biotechnological applications, and the use of agro-industrial by-products is an excellent alternative to minimize costs and reduce environmental impacts. This study aimed to produce endo-xylanases using agro-industrial substrates rich in hemicellulose as sources of xylan in culture media. For this purpose, the yeast Cryptococcus laurentti and five lignocellulosic materials (defatted rice bran, rice husk, corn cob, oat husks, and soybean tegument), with and without pretreatment, were used as a source of xylan for enzyme production. To insert the by-products in the culture medium, they were dried and treated (if applicable) with 4% (w.v-1) NaOH and then added in a concentration of 2% (w.v-1). The cultures were agitated for 96 h, and the aliquots were removed to determine the enzymatic activities. Among the by-products studied, the maximum activity (8.7 U. mL-1 at pH 7.3) was obtained where rice bran was used. In contrast, corn cob was the by-product that resulted in lower enzyme production (1.6 U.mL-1). Thus, the defatted rice bran deserves special attention in front of the other by-products used since it provides the necessary substrate for producing endo-xylanases by yeast.

Adjuvant Properties of Caffeic Acid in Cancer Treatment.

Caffeic acid (CA) is a polyphenol belonging to the phenylpropanoid family, commonly found in plants and vegetables. It was first identified by Hlasiwetz in 1867 as a breakdown product of caffetannic acid. CA is biosynthesized from the amino acids tyrosine or phenylalanine through specific enzyme-catalyzed reactions. Extensive research since its discovery has revealed various health benefits associated with CA, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. These effects are attributed to its ability to modulate several pathways, such as inhibiting NFkB, STAT3, and ERK1/2, thereby reducing inflammatory responses, and activating the Nrf2/ARE pathway to enhance antioxidant cell defenses. The consumption of CA has been linked to a reduced risk of certain cancers, mitigation of chemotherapy and radiotherapy-induced toxicity, and reversal of resistance to first-line chemotherapeutic agents. This suggests that CA could serve as a useful adjunct in cancer treatment. Studies have shown CA to be generally safe, with few adverse effects (such as back pain and headaches) reported. This review collates the latest information from Google Scholar, PubMed, the Phenol-Explorer database, and ClinicalTrials.gov, incorporating a total of 154 articles, to underscore the potential of CA in cancer prevention and overcoming chemoresistance.

What lies underneath: Comparison among beach litter in the underwater bathing area and exposed beach.

The standard techniques for monitoring beach litter focus on the litter that is accumulated on beaches. Therefore, the underwater bathing area is usually overlooked. Our study aims to start the discussion about the litter in the bathing area, an important connection between the exposed beach and the ocean. We aimed to compare sampling methodologies between the underwater bathing area and the exposed beach. We highlighted litter's similarities and differences regarding the amount, material, possible sources, and interaction with the biota. We also performed a brand audit on the underwater bathing area litter. In the underwater region, 106 items were collected while 1706 items were collected from the exposed beach region. Plastic was the dominant type of material in both sites, exposed beach (89.92 %) and bathing area (83.96 %). The litter's possible source was different. In the underwater bathing area was more related to food packages (couscous, rice). On the other hand, litter on the exposed beach was associated with beach use (single-use plastic such as plastic cups). The brand audit identified 21 companies, whereby most brands were Brazilian and food-related. Regarding interactions with the biota, the litter in the bathing area had more bio-fouling (87.73 %) than the litter collected on the exposed beach (10.00 %). Information about bathing area litter can be useful to draw different management strategies. Due to the differences in litter types and behavior between the two sites, the same mitigation strategies might not be equally efficient.

Guiding seed movement: environmental heterogeneity drives genetic differentiation in Plathymenia reticulata, providing insights for restoration.

Forest and landscape restoration is one of the main strategies for overcoming the environmental crisis. This activity is particularly relevant for biodiversity-rich areas threatened by deforestation, such as tropical forests. Efficient long-term restoration requires understanding the composition and genetic structure of native populations, as well as the factors that influence these genetic components. This is because these populations serve as the seed sources and, therefore, the gene reservoirs for areas under restoration. In the present study, we investigated the influence of environmental, climatic and spatial distance factors on the genetic patterns of Plathymenia reticulata, aiming to support seed translocation strategies for restoration areas. We collected plant samples from nine populations of P. reticulata in the state of Bahia, Brazil, located in areas of Atlantic Forest and Savanna, across four climatic types, and genotyped them using nine nuclear and three chloroplast microsatellite markers. The populations of P. reticulata evaluated generally showed low to moderate genotypic variability and low haplotypic diversity. The populations within the Savanna phytophysiognomy showed values above average for six of the eight evaluated genetic diversity parameters. Using this classification based on phytophysiognomy demonstrated a high predictive power for genetic differentiation in P. reticulata. Furthermore, the interplay of climate, soil and geographic distance influenced the spread of alleles across the landscape. Based on our findings, we propose seed translocation, taking into account the biome, with restricted use of seed sources acquired or collected from the same environment as the areas to be restored (Savanna or Atlantic Forest).

Preparation and Characterization of Lignin Nanoparticles from Different Plant Sources.

This article presents new research on producing lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) using the antisolvent nanoprecipitation method. Acetone (90%) served as the lignin solvent and water (100%) as the antisolvent, using five types of lignins from various sources. Comprehensive characterization techniques, including NMR, GPC, FTIR, TEM, and DLS, were employed to assess both lignin and LNP properties. The antioxidant activity of the LNPs was evaluated as well. The results demonstrated the successful formation of spherical nanoparticles below 100 nm with initial lignin concentrations of 1 and 2%w/v. The study highlighted the crucial role of lignin purity in LNP formation and colloidal stability, noting that residual carbohydrates adversely affect efficiency. This method offers a straightforward, environmentally friendly approach using cost-effective solvents, applicable to diverse lignin sources. The innovation of this study lies in its demonstration of a cost-effective and eco-friendly method to produce stable, nanometric-sized spherical LNPs. These LNPs have significant potential as reinforcement materials due to their reinforcing capability, hydrophilicity, and UV absorption. This work underscores the importance of starting material purity for optimizing the process and achieving the desired nanometric dimensions, marking a pioneering advancement in lignin-based nanomaterials.

Quality of Arabica coffee grown in Brazilian Savannah and impact of potassium sources.

Located in Brazil's Central Plateau, the Cerrado Savannah is an emerging coffee-growing region with significant potential for the national coffee market. This study investigated the impact of potassium fertilization on Arabica coffee quality in the Cerrado, using three potassium sources (K2SO4, KCl, and KNO3) and five cultivars (Arara, Aranãs, IPR103, Catiguá and Topázio) across two consecutive harvests. We focused on productivity, granulometry, chemical composition, and sensory characteristics. No significant difference in productivity across the cultivars studied or potassium sources as isolated factors were observed. Regarding chemical parameters, potassium sources only affected NO3- and SO42- levels in the grains. Cultivar-specific differences were noted in caffeine (CAF), citric acid (CA), and sucrose (SUC), highlighting a strong genetic influence. K2SO4 improved productivity in Arara (15 %) and IPR103 (11 %), while KNO3 reduced flat grain percentage to 70 % in Catiguá. Sensory evaluation showed that all potassium sources and cultivars produced specialty coffees, with the Arara cultivar treated with K2SO4 achieving the highest SCA score (83.3) while IPR 103 treated with KCl scored the lowest at 78. Only three treatments were below but very close to the threshold (80). Multivariate analysis indicated a trend where specific treatments correlated with higher productivity and quality. Despite the subtle differences in productivity and quality among potassium sources, a cost-benefit analysis may favor KCl due to its affordability, suggesting its viability as a potassium fertilization option in coffee cultivation. Future research is needed to confirm these trends and optimize potassium source selection to enhance coffee quality in the Cerrado.

Photodynamic therapy offers a novel approach to managing miltefosine-resistant cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected disease caused by Leishmania parasites. The oral drug miltefosine is effective, but there is a growing problem of drug resistance, which has led to increasing treatment failure rates and relapse of infections. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) combines a light source and a photoactive drug to promote cell death by oxidative stress. Although PDT is effective against several pathogens, its use against drug-resistant Leishmania parasites remains unexplored. Herein, we investigated the potential of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) as wearable light sources, which would enable at-home use or ambulatory treatment of CL. We also assessed its impact on combating miltefosine resistance in Leishmania amazonensis-induced CL in mice. The in vitro activity of OLEDs combined with 1,9-dimethyl-methylene blue (DMMB) (OLED-PDT) was evaluated against wild-type and miltefosine-resistant L. amazonensis strains in promastigote (EC50 = 0.034 µM for both strains) and amastigote forms (EC50 = 0.052 µM and 0.077 µM, respectively). Cytotoxicity in macrophages and fibroblasts was also evaluated. In vivo, we investigated the potential of OLED-PDT in combination with miltefosine using different protocols. Our results demonstrate that OLED-PDT is effective in killing both strains of L. amazonensis by increasing reactive oxygen species and stimulating nitric oxide production. Moreover, OLED-PDT showed great antileishmanial activity in vivo, allowing the reduction of miltefosine dose by half in infected mice using a light dose of 7.8 J/cm2 and 15 µM DMMB concentration. In conclusion, OLED-PDT emerges as a new avenue for at-home care and allows a combination therapy to overcome drug resistance in cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Exploring dietary differences among developmental stages of triatomines infected with Trypanosoma cruzi in different habitats.

Chagas disease affects millions of people in Colombia and worldwide, with its transmission influenced by ecological, environmental, and anthropogenic factors. There is a notable correlation between vector transmission cycles and the habitats of insect vectors of the parasite. However, the scale at which these cycles operate remains uncertain. While individual triatomine ecotopes such as palms provide conditions for isolated transmission cycles, recent studies examining triatomine blood sources in various habitats suggest a more intricate network of transmission cycles, linking wild ecotopes with human dwellings. This study aims to provide further evidence on the complexity of the scale of Trypanosoma cruzi transmission cycles, by exploring the different blood sources among developmental stages of infected triatomines in different habitats. We evaluated infection rates, parasite loads, feeding sources, and the distribution of Rhodnius prolixus insects in Attalea butyracea palms across three distinct habitats in Casanare, Colombia: peridomestics, pastures, and woodlands. Our results show that there is no clear independence in transmission cycles in each environment. Analyses of feeding sources suggest the movement of insects and mammals (primarily bats and didelphids) among habitats. A significant association was found between habitat and instar stages in collected R. prolixus. The N1 stage was correlated with pasture and woodland, while the N4 stage was related to pasture. Additionally, adult insects exhibited higher T. cruzi loads than N1, N2, and N3. We observed higher T. cruzi loads in insects captured in dwelling and pasture habitats, compared with those captured in woodland areas. Effective Chagas disease control strategies must consider the complexity of transmission cycles and the interplay between domestic and sylvatic populations of mammals and vectors.

Conceptions of bibliographic managers in university teachers. An approach in Latin American.

Background: Due to the accumulation of information generated by the information society, it is necessary to establish scientific criteria for its systematization. The objective of the research was to understand the implicit theories on the use of bibliographic managers in the organization of scientific information in university teachers in Latin American university teachers (Colombia, Ecuador and Peru). Methods: The interpretative paradigm, phenomenological method and qualitative approach were used. The key informants were defined by fifteen teachers with research experience. The technique was the semi-structured interview, and the instrument was the interview script. The study was based on four cyclical-recursive moments, the first was the natural attitude, where information was obtained from the key informants as a result of the interviews. The second moment allowed the epoche-eidetic reduction, consisting of the analysis of each interview. The third moment originated the transcendental epoche-reduction, analyzing each attribute and their consistency. The fourth moment revealed the constitution of the study, integrating in a semantic network the categories, subcategories, and attributes that emerged. Results: Even when it is recognized from the cognitive conception about the concept of bibliographic managers, its applicability or use, it seems not to be so effective in scientific academic spaces and activities, because teachers are still anchored to the traditionalist vision of organizing information through "drive, folder or excel", reflecting the resistance to change. Conclusions: The imperative need for continuous training in the use of bibliographic managers in both students and teachers is asserted, reflected as a transversal strategy throughout all academic cycles and semesters and internalized as a research policy that leads to generate a new change in the conception of researching reliable scientific sources, optimizing time, organizing information and guaranteeing quality research.

Macrolitter and microplastics along the East Pacific coasts - A homemade problem needing local solutions.

The East Pacific (EP) region, especially the central and southern EP, has been fairly less studied than other world's regions with respect to marine litter pollution. This comprehensive literature review (257 peer-reviewed publications) showed that both macrolitter (mostly plastics) and microplastics tend to accumulate on EP shorelines. Moreover, they were also reported in all the other compartments investigated: sea surface, water column, seafloor and 'others'. Mostly local, land-based sources (e.g., tourism, poor waste management) were identified across the region, especially at continental sites from low and mid latitudes. Some sea-based sources (e.g., fisheries, long-distance drifting) were also identified at high latitudes and on oceanic islands, likely enhanced by the oceanographic dynamics of the EP that affect transport of floating litter. Our results suggest that effective solutions to the problem require local and preventive strategies to significantly reduce the levels of litter along the EP coasts.

The crucial roles of ICT, renewable energy sources, industrialization, and institutional quality in achieving environmental sustainability in BRICS.

The BRICS countries-Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa-are committed to achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13, which focuses on mitigating climate change. To attain this goal, it is crucial to emphasize the significance of ICT, renewable energy sources, industrialization, and institutional quality. This study contributes to the literature by examining the potential role of these factors in environmental sustainability in the BRICS economies from 2000 to 2021, utilizing cross-sectional augmented autoregressive distributed lag (CS-ARDL) estimation and other novel econometric techniques. Accordingly, the study suggests that BRICS governments and policymakers prioritize the use of ICT in the industrial and institutional sectors to achieve faster environmental sustainability in the short-run, as per the CS-ARDL results. However, the study advises caution in the long-term as the interaction between ICT and renewable energy sources, industrialization, and institutional quality may not favour environmental quality. Although the renewable energy sources interaction with ICT may not yield immediate progress, strong measures need to be taken to ensure that short-term gains are not nullified. In conclusion, the study highlights the potential of ICT, renewable energy sources, industrialization, and institutional quality in achieving environmental sustainability in the BRICS countries, while recommending cautious measures in the long run to safeguard the progress made.

A metagenomic study of antibiotic resistance genes in a hypereutrophic subtropical lake contaminated by anthropogenic sources.

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are a major threat to human and environmental health. This study investigated the occurrence and distribution of ARGs in Lake Cajititlán, a hypereutrophic subtropical lake in Mexico contaminated by anthropogenic sources (urban wastewater and runoff from crop and livestock production). ARGs (a total of 475 genes) were detected in 22 bacterial genera, with Pseudomonas (144 genes), Stenotrophomonas (88 genes), Mycobacterium (54 genes), and Rhodococcus (27 genes) displaying the highest frequencies of ARGs. Among these, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia showed the highest number of ARGs. The results revealed a diverse array of ARGs, including resistance to macrolides (11.55 %), aminoglycosides (8.22 %), glycopeptides (6.22 %), tetracyclines (4 %), sulfonamides (4 %), carbapenems (1.11 %), phenicols (0.88 %), fluoroquinolones (0.44 %), and lincosamides (0.22 %). The most frequently observed ARGs were associated with multidrug resistance (63.33 %), with MexF (42 genes), MexW (36 genes), smeD (31 genes), mtrA (25 genes), and KHM-1 (22 genes) being the most common. Lake Cajititlán is a recreational area for swimming, fishing, and boating, while also supporting irrigation for agriculture and potentially acting as a drinking water source for some communities. This raises concerns about the potential for exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria through these activities. The presence of ARGs in Lake Cajititlán poses a significant threat to both human and environmental health. Developing strategies to mitigate the risks of antibiotic resistance, including improving wastewater treatment, and promoting strategic antibiotic use and disposal, is crucial. This study represents a significant advancement in the understanding of antibiotic resistance dynamics in a hypereutrophic subtropical lake in a developing country, providing valuable insights for the scientific community and policymakers.