Multiple sclerosis in Central America and Caribbean countries: frequency and clinical characterization of an emergent disease.

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a common neurological disease among white populations of European origin. Frequencies among Latin Americans continue to be studied, however, epidemiologic, and clinical characterization studies lack from Central American and Caribbean countries. Ethnicity in these countries is uniformly similar with a prevalent Mestizo population. Methods and results: Data from January 2014 to December 2019 from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Dominican Republic, and Aruba on demographic, clinical, MRI and phenotypic traits were determined in coordinated studies: ENHANCE, a population-based, retrospective, observational study on incidence and clinical characteristics, and from the subgroup with MS national registries (Aruba, Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Panama), data on prevalence, phenotypes and demographics. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and therapeutic schemes were included. ENHANCE data from 758 patients disclosed 79.8% of Mestizo ethnicity; 72.4% female; median age at onset 31.0 years and 33.2 at diagnosis. The highest incidence rate was from Aruba, 2.3-3.5 × 100,000 inhabitants, and the lowest, 0.07-0.15 × 100,000, from Honduras. Crude prevalence rates per 100,000 inhabitants fluctuated from 27.3 (Aruba) to 1.0 (Honduras). Relapsing MS accounted for 87.4% of cases; EDSS <3.0 determined in 66.6% (mean disease duration: 9.1 years, SD ± 5.0); CSF oligoclonal bands 85.7%, and 87% of subjects hydroxyvitamin D deficient. Common initial therapies were interferon and fingolimod. Switching from interferon to fingolimod was the most common escalation step. The COVID-19 pandemic affected follow-up aspects of these studies. Conclusion: This is the first study providing data on frequencies and clinical characteristics from 8 countries from the Central American and Caribbean region, addressing MS as an emergent epidemiologic disorder. More studies from these areas are encouraged.

Applying two approaches to detect unmeasured confounding due to time-varying variables in a self-controlled risk interval design evaluating COVID-19 vaccine safety signals, using myocarditis as a case example.

We test the robustness of the self-controlled risk interval (SCRI) design in a setting where time between doses may introduce time-varying confounding, using both negative control outcomes (NCOs) and quantitative bias analysis (QBA). All vaccinated cases identified from 5 European databases between 1 September 2020 and end of data availability were included. Exposures were doses 1-3 of the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Janssen COVID-19 vaccines; outcomes were myocarditis and otitis externa (NCO). The SCRI used a 60-day control window and dose-specific 28-day risk windows, stratified by vaccine brand and adjusted for calendar time. The QBA included two scenarios: (i) baseline probability of the confounder was higher in the control window and (ii) vice versa. The NCO was not associated with any of the COVID-19 vaccine types or doses except Moderna dose 1 (IRR = 1.09, 95%CI 1.01-1.09). The QBA suggested even the strongest literature-reported confounder (COVID-19; RRmyocarditis = 18.3) could only explain away part of the observed effect from IRR = 3 to IRR = 1.40. The SCRI seems robust to unmeasured confounding in the COVID-19 setting, although a strong unmeasured confounder could bias the observed effect upward. Replication of our findings for other safety signals would strengthen this conclusion.

Oncogenic KRAS-dependent stromal interleukin-33 directs the pancreatic microenvironment to promote tumor growth.

Pancreatic cancer is characterized by an extensive fibroinflammatory microenvironment. During carcinogenesis, normal stromal cells are converted to cytokine-high cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs). The mechanisms underlying this conversion, including regulation and function of fibroblast-derived cytokines, are poorly understood. Thus, efforts to target CAFs therapeutically have so far failed. Here, we show that signals from epithelial cells expressing oncogenic KRAS -a hallmark pancreatic cancer mutation- activate fibroblast autocrine signaling, which drives expression of the cytokine interleukin-33 (IL-33). Stromal IL-33 expression remains high and dependent on epithelial KRAS throughout carcinogenesis; in turn, environmental stress induces IL-33 secretion. Using compartment-specific IL-33 knockout mice, we observed that lack of stromal IL-33 leads to profound reprogramming of multiple components of the pancreatic tumor microenvironment, including CAFs, myeloid cells and lymphocytes. Notably, loss of stromal IL-33 leads to an increase in CD8+ T cell infiltration and activation, and, ultimately, reduced tumor growth.

Tubulocystic Carcinoma of Bile Ducts: A Distinct Type of Cholangiocarcinoma Associated With Adenofibroma-type Lesions.

A type of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) characterized by peculiar histologic patterns and underlying adenofibromatous lesions has been reported in the literature mostly as individual case reports. This study aims to further clarify the defining characteristics of this spectrum of lesions. Clinicopathologic analysis of 8 biliary tumors with tubulocystic architecture arising in the background of adenofibroma-type lesions was performed. Three of these were also investigated with next-generation sequencing with a 174 genes panel. The patients were 5 males and 3 females, with a mean age of 64.6. All tumors were intrahepatic except for one perihilar that protruded into soft tissues. The mean size was 4.4 cm. At histology, all cases showed a peculiar and cytologically bland tubulocystic pattern that closely resembled tubulocystic-type kidney cancers, including back-to-back microcystic units that formed relatively demarcated nodules, and occurring in the background of adenofibromatous lesions. One case showed perineural invasion by otherwise deceptively benign-appearing microcystic structures, one had areas transitioning to intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm, and 3 cases harbored more conventional small-duct CCA foci. In those 3 cases, both the tubulocystic and conventional CCA components were investigated by next-generation sequencing separately, and they shared the molecular alterations, including recurrent mutations in chromatin remodeling genes, such as ARID1A, BAP1, and PBRM1, and the actionable FGFR2-MCU fusion gene. In the limited follow-up, all but one were alive and free of disease after surgical resection. In conclusion, we described a distinct entity of CCA with specific histo-molecular features, for which we propose the designation of tubulocystic carcinoma of bile ducts.

Efficient Spin-Adapted Implementation of Multireference Algebraic Diagrammatic Construction Theory. I. Core-Ionized States and X-ray Photoelectron Spectra.

We present an efficient implementation of multireference algebraic diagrammatic construction theory (MR-ADC) for simulating core-ionized states and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). Taking advantage of spin adaptation, automatic code generation, and density fitting, our implementation can perform calculations for molecules with more than 1500 molecular orbitals, incorporating static and dynamic correlation in the ground and excited electronic states. We demonstrate the capabilities of MR-ADC methods by simulating the XPS spectra of substituted ferrocene complexes and azobenzene isomers. For the ground electronic states of these molecules, the XPS spectra computed using the extended second-order MR-ADC method (MR-ADC(2)-X) are in a very good agreement with available experimental results. We further show that MR-ADC can be used as a tool for interpreting or predicting the results of time-resolved XPS measurements by simulating the core ionization spectra of azobenzene along its photoisomerization, including the XPS signatures of excited states and the minimum energy conical intersection. This work is the first in a series of publications reporting the efficient implementations of MR-ADC methods.

Identification of sialic acid receptors for influenza A virus in snakes.

The tissue tropism and the wide host range of influenza A viruses are determined by the presence of sialic acid (SA) α2,3-Gal and SA α2,6-Gal receptors. Recent studies have shown that animals possessing both receptors allow for the rearrangement and emergence of new viral strains of public health importance. This study aimed to evaluate the expression and distribution of human and avian influenza A receptors in nine Neotropical snake species using lectin immunohistochemistry. We selected 17 snakes that were examined post mortem at the Veterinary Pathology Sector of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais between 2019 and 2023. Sections of nasal turbinate, trachea, lung, oral mucosa, stomach and intestine were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis using the lectins Maackia amurensis and Sambucus nigra. This research detected, for the first time, co-expression of SA α2,3-Gal and SA α2,6-Gal receptors in the respiratory and digestive tracts of snakes, indicating the possible susceptibility of these species to influenza A virus of avian and human origin. Consequently, snakes can be considered important species for monitoring influenza A in wild, urban and peri-urban environments. More studies should be conducted to investigate the role of snakes in influenza A epidemiology.

Retrospective multicenter study of elderly patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer treated with trabectedin and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (pld) in a real-world setting: a geico study.

BACKGROUND: Trabectedin in combination with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) is approved for the treatment of patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer. Nevertheless, there is currently limited information regarding this treatment in elderly patients with ovarian cancer in a real-world setting. METHODS: This observational and multicentric study retrospectively evaluated trabectedin plus PLD in a real-world setting treatment of elderly patients diagnosed with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer, treated according to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) from 15 GEICO-associated hospitals. Patients ≥ 70 years old at the time of treatment initiation and platinum-free intervals ≥ 6 months were considered eligible. RESULTS: Forty-three patients with a median age of 74.0 years were treated between January 1st, 2015, and December 31st, 2019 in 15 Spanish centers. Four patients achieved complete response (9.3%), 14 (32.6%) partial response, and 13 (30.2%) stable disease as the best radiological response. In the analysis of biological overall response according to CA125 serum levels (i.e., Rustin criteria), 14 responded to the treatment (32.6%), 11 responded and normalized (25.6%), three patients stabilized (7.0%) and three progressed (7.0%). Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the study population were 7.7 and 19.5 months, respectively. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (n = 8, 18.7%) and asthenia (n = 5, 11.6%). CONCLUSIONS: This analysis demonstrated that trabectedin combined with PLD is a feasible and effective treatment in elderly patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer, showing an acceptable safety profile, which is crucial in the palliative treatment of these patients.

Method for assessing coating uniformity of angioplasty balloons coated with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles loaded with quercetin.

In this study, we aim to quantify coating uniformity and correlate fluorescence intensity to drug loading for drug-coated angioplasty balloons (DCB) coated with 5, 10, 15, or 20 layers of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (NPs) entrapped with quercetin. Uniformity was quantified from histograms and horizontal line profiles of microscopic fluorescent images acquired with sample specific parameters, and cracks in the coating were measured and counted. The fluorescence of images acquired with global parameters was correlated with quercetin loading measured via gravimetric/HPLC analysis. More layers on DCBs may be associated with less uniform coatings, as indicated by differences in histogram standard deviations. The line profile percent deviation from average for each sample was <20%. Cracks were present on all balloons, but their length was not significantly different between samples. The 5-layer DCBs had the fewest cracks, whereas the 15-layer DCBs had the most cracks. A strong positive correlation (R = 0.896) was identified between fluorescence intensity and drug loading. A relationship between the number of layers and coating uniformity seems to exist, but further investigations are required for confirmation. Fluorescence intensity appears to strongly predict drug loading, demonstrating that fluorescent imaging may be a viable alternative to drug release studies.

Piggybacking functionalized DNA nanostructures into live-cell nuclei.

DNA origami nanostructures (DOs) are promising tools for applications including drug delivery, biosensing, detecting biomolecules, and probing chromatin substructures. Targeting these nanodevices to mammalian cell nuclei could provide impactful approaches for probing, visualizing, and controlling biomolecular processes within live cells. We present an approach to deliver DOs into live-cell nuclei. We show that these DOs do not undergo detectable structural degradation in cell culture media or cell extracts for 24 hours. To deliver DOs into the nuclei of human U2OS cells, we conjugated 30-nanometer DO nanorods with an antibody raised against a nuclear factor, specifically the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (Pol II). We find that DOs remain structurally intact in cells for 24 hours, including inside the nucleus. We demonstrate that electroporated anti-Pol II antibody-conjugated DOs are piggybacked into nuclei and exhibit subdiffusive motion inside the nucleus. Our results establish interfacing DOs with a nuclear factor as an effective method to deliver nanodevices into live-cell nuclei.

Structural Heart Imaging Using 3-Dimensional Intracardiac Echocardiography: JACC Cardiovascular Imaging Position Statement.

3-dimensional (3D) intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is emerging as a promising complement and potential alternative to transesophageal echocardiography for imaging guidance in structural heart interventions. To establish standardized practices, our multidisciplinary expert position statement serves as a comprehensive guide for the appropriate indications and utilization of 3D-ICE in various structural heart procedures. The paper covers essential aspects such as the fundamentals of 3D-ICE imaging, basic views, and workflow recommendations specifically tailored for ICE-guided structural heart procedures, such as transeptal puncture, device closure of intracardiac structures, and transcatheter mitral and tricuspid valve interventions. Current challenges, future directions, and training requirements to ensure operator proficiency are also discussed, thereby promoting the safety and efficacy of this innovative imaging modality to support expanding its future clinical applications.

Stereotactic Body Proton Therapy Versus Conventionally Fractionated Proton Therapy for Early Prostate Cancer: A Randomized, Controlled, Phase 3 Trial.

PURPOSE: We aimed to determine if ultra-hypofractionated proton therapy delivered via stereotactic body proton therapy (SBPT) is non-inferior to conventionally fractionated proton therapy (CFPT) in patients with early prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a multicenter, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority phase 3 trial that included patients with histologically confirmed low-risk prostate adenocarcinoma defined by Gleason score grouping 1, PSA <10 ng/mL, and clinical stage T1-2a N0 M0 according to AJCC 7th ed. Eligible participants were randomly assigned initially at a 1:1 ratio and later at a 2:1 ratio to SBPT (38 Gy in 5 fractions) or CFPT (79.2 Gy in 44 fractions). The primary endpoint was freedom from failure (FFF) at 2 years from the date of randomization. Non-inferiority for FFF was determined based on one-sided confidence intervals. Toxicities were compared at different time points using Fisher's Exact test. Health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) was analyzed at different time points using a mixed-effects linear model. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01230866, and is closed to accrual. RESULTS: Between December 10, 2010, and September 29, 2020, 144 patients were enrolled and 135 were randomly assigned (90 to the SBPT group and 45 to the CFPT group). The median follow-up was 5 years (IQR 3.9-5.2). The 2-year FFF was 100% for both groups, with the one-sided 5-year risk difference in FFF between groups reported as 2.63% (90% CI: -1.70%-6.96%), favoring the SBRT arm, thus fulfilling the pre-specified criteria for non-inferiority of SBPT compared to CFPT. Rates of gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) G2 and G3 toxicities did not differ significantly between groups but the the study was not powered to detect significant toxicity differences. Also, HRQoL metrics did not differ significantly between groups over the study median follow up. CONCLUSIONS: SBPT is non-inferior to CFPT regarding FFF, with similar long-term GU and GI toxicity rates and minimal impact in patient reported HRQoL over time.

APTES functionalization in SBA-15: the effect on SO2 capture and detection applications.

The development of adsorbents for air pollutant remediation and effective monitoring is of interest. Then, the effect of the APTES functionalization ratio on the impact of the adsorption and detection of SO2 molecules was evaluated. The higher APTES functionalization material (SBA-15_6.1APTES) shows a high uptake of 1.15 mmol g-1 at 0.001 bar and 298 K. Fluorescence, time-resolved photoluminescence, and quantum yield experiments revealed a turn-on effect specifically for SO2 molecules, indicating high selectivity, suggesting host-to-guest energy transfer. Attractively, XPS measurement provided an understanding of the mechanism, suggesting hydrogen bonding and dipole-dipole interactions as the main interactions between SO2 molecules and SBA-15_6.1APTES. DFT calculations were performed to confirm these interactions. Furthermore, this study highlights the application of SBA-15 materials with different amino modifications for SO2 treatment and provides insight into the interaction mechanism using experimental techniques.

Cardioprotective effects of early versus late initiated antiretroviral treatment in adolescents with perinatal HIV-1 infection.

Whether, and how, cardioprotective effects of antiretroviral treatment (ART) in adolescents with perinatal HIV infection (APHIV) vary with age at treatment initiation is unknown. We used magnetic resonance imaging to compare cardiac status between APHIV initiated on ART at < 5 years of age (early ART, n = 37) and ≥ 5 years of age (delayed ART, n = 34) versus HIV-uninfected peers (n = 21), reporting z-score mean differences adjusted for confounders. Relative to HIV-uninfected adolescents, APHIV with early ART had higher left ventricular (LV) global circumferential strain (GCS) [adjusted mean (95%CI) z-score: 0.53 (0.13, 0.92)] and maximum indexed left atrium volume (LAVi) [adjusted z-score: 0.55 (0.08, 1.02)]. In contrast, APHIV with delayed ART had greater indexed LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDVi) [adjusted z-score: 0.47 (0.09, 0.86)] and extracellular volume fraction [adjusted z-score: 0.79 (0.20, 1.37)], but lower GCS [adjusted z-score: -0.51 (-0.91, -0.10)] than HIV-uninfected peers. APHIV had distinct albeit subclinical cardiac phenotypes depending on ART initiation age. Changes in early ART suggested comparatively worse diastology with preserved systolic function while delayed ART was associated with comparatively increased diffuse fibrosis and LV dilatation with reduced systolic function. The long-term clinical significance of these changes remains to be determined.

Acute effects on the psychological perception of university students after participation in the "RegulACTION" workshop for the improvement of emotional health and promotion of an active lifestyle.

Introduction: Prospective research in Health Sciences and Sports Sciences warns of the need to design and implement educational program at the different stages of human development, that promote emotional competences, interpersonal competences, an adequate level of healthy physical activity as well as adherence to the Mediterranean diet and a more active lifestyle on a physical and social level. The main objective of the study was to design an intervention program on intra-and interpersonal competences together with emotional education, nutritional education and healthy physical activity, called 'RegulACTION'. Methods: The preliminary study sample consisted of 11 participants aged 21-28 years (M = 5.00, SD = 8.76) (8 female and 3 males) university students. An ad hoc questionnaire was elaborated to evaluate the participant's perception of the usefulness of the 'RegulACTION' experience and a semi-structured interview of 5 questions to assess their perception, identification of their emotions, awareness of their cognitions, emotions and behaviors in the different areas of their lives. Results: The descriptive results show that the participants are receptive to continuing training in the regulation of cognitions (thoughts) and emotions to increase their satisfaction in different areas of their lives. Regarding the qualitative results, the participants' perception, collected verbatim, is that they feel the need to apply the knowledge about personal and social emotions, as well as healthy behavior in terms of nutrition and exercise, in their daily lives. Discussion: The 'RegulACTION' program is designed based on the assessment of the prevalence of mental illness in the young adult and adult population, in line with the literature review in the area of knowledge of the theory of emotions, motivational theories and on the occasion of the development of a workshop organized.

A humanized mouse that mounts mature class-switched, hypermutated and neutralizing antibody responses.

Humanized mice are limited in terms of modeling human immunity, particularly with regards to antibody responses. Here we constructed a humanized (THX) mouse by grafting non-γ-irradiated, genetically myeloablated KitW-41J mutant immunodeficient pups with human cord blood CD34+ cells, followed by 17ß-estradiol conditioning to promote immune cell differentiation. THX mice reconstitute a human lymphoid and myeloid immune system, including marginal zone B cells, germinal center B cells, follicular helper T cells and neutrophils, and develop well-formed lymph nodes and intestinal lymphoid tissue, including Peyer's patches, and human thymic epithelial cells. These mice have diverse human B cell and T cell antigen receptor repertoires and can mount mature T cell-dependent and T cell-independent antibody responses, entailing somatic hypermutation, class-switch recombination, and plasma cell and memory B cell differentiation. Upon flagellin or a Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccination, THX mice mount neutralizing antibody responses to Salmonella or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Spike S1 receptor-binding domain, with blood incretion of human cytokines, including APRIL, BAFF, TGF-ß, IL-4 and IFN-γ, all at physiological levels. These mice can also develop lupus autoimmunity after pristane injection. By leveraging estrogen activity to support human immune cell differentiation and maturation of antibody responses, THX mice provide a platform to study the human immune system and to develop human vaccines and therapeutics.

Prognostic role of SOX2 and STAT3 expression on circulating T lymphocytes and CD44+/CD24neg cells in the locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) is associated with a continuous increase in incidence, with high mortality rates in several countries. CD44, STAT3, and SOX2 are related to regulating of somatic cell division, tumorigenesis, and metastasis in BC. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Hospital de Cancer de Pernambuco (HCP) between 2017 and 2018. Fifty-one women with locally advanced (LA) and 14 with metastatic BC were included in the study. RESULTS: High CD44+/CD24neg and CD44+/CD24neg/SOX2+ levels in Luminal B (LB), HER2+, and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) compared with controls (p < 0.05). Low CD44+/CD24negSTAT3+ levels in LB, HER2+, and TNBC compared with controls (p < 0.05). High T lymphocytes, and low STAT3 + T, and SOX2 + T levels in BC patients (p < 0.05). High SOX2 + T levels in patients with axillary lymph node-negative (N0) compared with the axillary lymph node-positives (N1 and N2 groups; p < 0.05). High SOX2 + T levels in N1 compared to N2 (p < 0.05). High T lymphocytes and low SOX2 + T levels in the LA tumor compared to metastatic disease (p = 0.0007 and p = 0.02, respectively). High CD44 + /CD24negSTAT3+, and T lymphocyte levels in TNBC patients with LA tumor compared to metastatic (p < 0.05). Low STAT3 + T levels in TBNC patients with LA tumor compared to metastatic (p = 0.0266). CONCLUSION: SOX2 and STAT3 expression on circulating T lymphocytes and CD44 + /CD24neg cells in peripheral blood have prognostic roles in breast cancer. SOX2 and STAT3 expression are potential predictive biomarkers of disease progression in breast cancer regardless of tumor subtype.

Perioperative Blood Transfusions and Cancer Progression: A Narrative Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To examine the most recent evidence about known controversies on the effect of perioperative transfusion on cancer progression. RECENT FINDINGS: Laboratory evidence suggests that transfusion-related immunomodulation can be modified by blood management and storage practices, but it is likely of less intensity than the effect of the surgical stress response. Clinical evidence has questioned the independent effect of blood transfusion on cancer progression for some cancers but supported it for others. Despite major changes in surgery and anesthesia, cancer surgery remains a major player in perioperative blood product utilization. Prospective data is still required to strengthen or refute existing associations. Transfusion-related immunomodulation in cancer surgery is well-documented, but the extent to which it affects cancer progression is unclear. Associations between transfusion and cancer progression are disease-specific. Increasing evidence shows autologous blood transfusion may be safe in cancer surgery.

Latin-American guidelines of recommendations at discharge from an acute coronary syndrome.

The diagnostic criteria, treatments at the time of admission, and drugs used in patients with acute coronary syndrome are well defined in countless guidelines. However, there is uncertainty about the measures to recommend during patient discharge planning. This document brings together the most recent evidence and the standardized and optimal treatment for patients at the time of discharge from hospitalization for an acute coronary syndrome, for comprehensive and safe care in the patient's transition between care from the acute event to the outpatient care, with the aim of optimizing the recovery of viable myocardium, guaranteeing the most appropriate secondary prevention, reducing the risk of a new coronary event and mortality, as well as the adequate reintegration of patients into daily life.

Los criterios diagnósticos, los tratamientos en el momento de la admisión y los fármacos utilizados en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo están bien definidos en innumerables guías. Sin embargo, existe incertidumbre acerca de las medidas para recomendar durante la planificación del egreso de los pacientes. Este documento reúne las evidencias más recientes y el tratamiento estandarizado y óptimo para los pacientes al momento del egreso de una hospitalización por un síndrome coronario agudo, para un cuidado integral y seguro en la transición del paciente entre la atención del evento agudo y el cuidado ambulatorio, con el objetivo de optimizar la recuperación de miocardio viable, garantizar la prevención secundaria más adecuada, reducir el riesgo de un nuevo evento coronario y la mortalidad, así como la adecuada reinserción de los pacientes en la vida cotidiana.

Bacteriophages Isolation and Efficacy Testing.

Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect bacteria and are the most abundant biological entity on the planet. Phages have gained popularity as an alternative to antibiotics due to their specificity and ability to efficiently lyse antimicrobial resistant bacterial pathogens. Before using phages, they must be isolated from the environment and tested to ensure purity and lytic ability against various hosts. This protocol walks through the entire multi-day procedure of enriching and processing raw environmental samples (seawater, primary sludge, and soil), testing for lytic activity, selecting and picking potential phage plaques, verifying phage purity, and finally, propagation (liquid and solid) of phages to obtain high-titer crude phage lysates.

Longitudinal Meta-Analysis of Peak Height Velocity in Young Female Athletes.

Growth patterns and biological milestones in youth sports are key to interpreting the development of young athletes. However, there is no analysis of longitudinal meta-analysis describing the growth of young female athletes. This longitudinal meta-analysis estimated growth curves and age at peak height velocity (PHV) in young female athletes based on anthropometric data from longitudinal studies found in the literature. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, studies with repeated measurements in young female athletes were identified from searches of four databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and SPORTDiscus) without date restrictions through August 2023. We adapted our bias assessment criteria using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized controlled trials as a reference. Bayesian multilevel modeling was used to perform a longitudinal meta-analysis to extract stature growth curves and age at PHV. Fourteen studies met our eligibility criteria. Twenty-one independent samples could be included in the analysis. Conditional on the data and models, the predicted mean age at PHV for female athletes was 11.18 years (90% CI: 8.62; 12.94). When studies were aggregated by sport in the models, the models could not capture sport-specific growth curves for stature and estimate a corresponding age at PHV. We provide the first longitudinal meta-analytic summary of pubertal growth and derive age at PHV in young female athletes. The meta-analysis predicted that age at PHV occurs at similar ages to those in the general pediatric population. The data pool was limited in sports and geographic distribution, emphasizing the need to promote longitudinal research in females across different youth sports contexts.