Sequencing and Description of the Mitochondrial Genome of Orthopodomyia fascipes (Diptera: Culicidae).

The genus Orthopodomyia Theobald, 1904 (Diptera: Culicidae) comprises 36 wild mosquito species, with distribution largely restricted to tropical and temperate areas, most of which are not recognized as vectors of epidemiological importance due to the lack of information related to their bionomy and involvement in the cycle transmission of infectious agents. Furthermore, their evolutionary relationships are not completely understood, reflecting the scarcity of genetic information about the genus. Therefore, in this study, we report the first complete description of the mitochondrial genome of a Neotropical species representing the genus, Orthopodomyia fascipes Coquillet, 1906, collected in the Brazilian Amazon region. Using High Throughput Sequencing, we obtained a mitochondrial sequence of 15,598 bp, with an average coverage of 418.5×, comprising 37 functional subunits and a final portion rich in A + T, corresponding to the control region. The phylogenetic analysis, using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference based on the 13 protein-coding genes, corroborated the monophyly of Culicidae and its two subfamilies, supporting the proximity between the tribes Orthopodomyiini and Mansoniini, partially disagreeing with previous studies based on the use of molecular and morphological markers. The information generated in this study contributes to a better understanding of the taxonomy and evolutionary history of the genus and other groups of Culicidae.

Natural Prevalence, Molecular Characteristics, and Biological Activity of Metarhizium rileyi (Farlow) Isolated from Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) Larvae in Mexico.

Entomopathogenic fungi have been considered potential biological control agents against the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), the world's most important pest of maize. In this study, we evaluated the natural infection, molecular characteristics, and biological activity of Metarhizium rileyi (Farlow) isolated from S. frugiperda larvae of this insect, collected from maize crops in five Mexican locations. Natural infection ranged from 23% to 90% across all locations analyzed. Twenty-four isolates were evaluated on S. frugiperda second instars at a concentration of 1.0 × 108 conidia/mL, causing 70% to 98.7% mortality and 60.5% to 98.7% sporulation. Isolates T9-21, Z30-21, PP48-21, and L8-22 were selected to determine their phylogenetic relationships by ß-tubulin gene analysis and to compare median lethal concentration (CL50), median lethal time (LT50), and larval survival. These isolates were grouped into three clades. The T9-21, PP48-21, and J10-22 isolates were closely related (clade A), but phylogenetically distant from Z30-21 (clade B) and L8-22 (clade C) isolates. These genetic differences were not always reflected in their pathogenicity characteristics since no differences were observed among the LC50 values. Furthermore, isolates T9-21, J10-22, and L8-22 were the fastest to kill S. frugiperda larvae, causing lower survival rates. We conclude that native M. rileyi isolates represent an important alternative for the biocontrol of S. frugiperda.

Aceptación y reticencia a las vacunas contra COVID-19 en ingresantes a una universidad pública peruana durante la tercera ola pandémica

Introducción. Los estudiantes universitarios influyen en las decisiones de su familia y comunidad a favor de la vacunación. Objetivo. Identificar las principales razones para la aceptación o reticencia vacunal contra COVID-19 en ingresantes a una universidad pública. Métodos. Estudio transversal en una muestra de 408 estudiantes. Se preguntó si había completado las tres dosis de vacuna contra COVID-19 y la principal razón para la aceptación o reticencia vacunal. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo, se aplicó la prueba chi cuadrado y exacta de Fisher. Resultados. El 85,5% aceptó la vacuna principalmente por no querer contagiar a familiares (38,1%) y no querer enfermarse (27,8%). El 14,5% fue reticente, especialmente por prolongados tiempos de espera en vacunatorios (37,3%) y lejanía de los centros de vacunación (13,6%). Conclusiones. En los universitarios estudiados, el temor a la enfermedad impulsó la aceptación de la vacuna contra COVID-19 y la inaccesibilidad a los servicios de salud generó la reticencia.

Introduction. University students influence their family and community decisions in favor of vaccination. Objective. To identify the main reasons for COVID-19 vaccine acceptance or hesitancy among university entrants. Methods. A cross-sectional study in a sample of 408 students. We asked whether the student had completed the three doses the COVID-19 vaccine and the main reason for vaccine acceptance or hesitancy. A descriptive analysis was performed, the chi-square test and Fisher's exact were applied. Results. 85.5% accepted vaccination mainly because they did not want to infect family members (38.1%) and did not want to get sick (27.8%). 14.5% were hesitancy especially due to long waiting times in vaccination centers (37.3%) and distance from vaccination centers (13.6%). Conclusions. In the university students studied, the fear of disease drove COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and inaccessibility to health services generated vaccine hesitancy among university entrants.

Activation of caspase-3/7, an apoptotic-related marker, during incubation and cryopreservation of alpaca (Vicugna pacos) spermatozoa.

Caspases are crucial mediators of programmed cell death (apoptosis). Apoptosis can occur in spermatozoa during spermatogenesis or epididymal transit, as well as in ejaculated spermatozoa. A high proportion of apoptotic sperm would be a poor indicator of the freezability of a raw seminal sample. Alpaca spermatozoa are notoriously difficult to freeze successfully. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to study caspase activation during incubation (37°C) of fresh alpaca spermatozoa, as well as before and after cryopreservation, to gain some insight into the mechanisms behind the vulnerability of alpaca spermatozoa. Eleven sperm samples were incubated for 4 h at 37°C (Study 1), and 23 samples were frozen using an automated system (Study 2). Caspase-3/7 activation was assessed at 0,1,2,3, and 4 h in samples incubated at 37°C (Study 1); and before/after cryopreservation (Study 2) using CellEvent™ Caspase 3/7 Green Detection Reagent and flow cytometry. The proportions of alpaca spermatozoa with caspase-3/7 activated increased (p < 0.05) after 3-4 h of incubation at 37°C; however, caspase activation was similar before and after cryopreservation (36.2 ± 11.2% vs. 36.6 ± 33.7%, p > 0.05). The high standard deviation found after freezing could be explained by the existence of two subpopulations: one subpopulation where caspase-3/7 activation decreased during cryopreservation (from 36.6 ± 9.1% to 1.5 ± 2.2%), and the other subpopulation where caspase-3/7 activation increased after cryopreservation (from 37.7 ± 13.0% to 64.3 ± 16.7%). In conclusion, after 3-4 h of incubation, caspase-3/7 activation increased in fresh alpaca sperm, whereas cryopreservation affects alpaca sperm samples in different ways.

Spatial predictions of tree density and tree height across Mexico forests using ensemble learning and forest inventory data.

The National Forestry Commission of Mexico continuously monitors forest structure within the country's continental territory by the implementation of the National Forest and Soils Inventory (INFyS). Due to the challenges involved in collecting data exclusively from field surveys, there are spatial information gaps for important forest attributes. This can produce bias or increase uncertainty when generating estimates required to support forest management decisions. Our objective is to predict the spatial distribution of tree height and tree density in all Mexican forests. We performed wall-to-wall spatial predictions of both attributes in 1-km grids, using ensemble machine learning across each forest type in Mexico. Predictor variables include remote sensing imagery and other geospatial data (e.g., mean precipitation, surface temperature, canopy cover). Training data is from the 2009 to 2014 cycle (n > 26,000 sampling plots). Spatial cross validation suggested that the model had a better performance when predicting tree height r 2 = .35 [.12, .51] (mean [min, max]) than for tree density r 2 = .23 [.05, .42]. The best predictive performance when mapping tree height was for broadleaf and coniferous-broadleaf forests (model explained ~50% of variance). The best predictive performance when mapping tree density was for tropical forest (model explained ~40% of variance). Although most forests had relatively low uncertainty for tree height predictions, e.g., values <60%, arid and semiarid ecosystems had high uncertainty, e.g., values >80%. Uncertainty values for tree density predictions were >80% in most forests. The applied open science approach we present is easily replicable and scalable, thus it is helpful to assist in the decision-making and future of the National Forest and Soils Inventory. This work highlights the need for analytical tools that help us exploit the full potential of the Mexican forest inventory datasets.

Caracterización clínico quirúrgica de la colecistitis aguda en pacientes tratados en el Servicio de Cirugía General. Cienfuegos, 2017- 2019

Fundamento la colecistitis aguda es una enfermedad inflamatoria, caracterizada por alteraciones agudas de la pared vesicular que pueden ir desde el edema y la congestión hasta la gangrena y perforación. Es una enfermedad con alta incidencia en urgencia quirúrgica. Objetivo: caracterizar clínica y quirúrgicamente la colecistitis aguda en pacientes del Servicio de Cirugía General. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo y prospectivo de pacientes atendidos por colecistitis aguda en el Servicio de Cirugía durante el período del primero de enero de 2017 al treinta y uno de diciembre de 2019. Los datos se obtuvieron de las historias clínicas y los informes operatorios, utilizando un modelo de recolección de datos. Se analizaron las variables edad, sexo, enfermedades asociadas, manifestaciones clínicas, confirmación diagnóstica, tipo de tratamiento, modalidad de tratamiento quirúrgico, evolución, complicaciones, uso de antibiótico, lugar de ingreso y estadía hospitalaria Resultados: predominaron los pacientes de 60 años y más del sexo femenino; el dolor abdominal prevaleció en la mayoría de los pacientes, acompañado de vómitos y taquicardia; el diagnóstico se confirmó mediante la clínica; predominó el tratamiento quirúrgico, la colecistectomía convencional abierta fue la técnica de elección; la mayoría evolucionó de forma satisfactoria. La sepsis de la herida quirúrgica fue la complicación más frecuente. Conclusiones: la colecistitis aguda es más frecuente en ancianos, el diagnóstico precoz y tratamiento oportuno pueden disminuir el porcentaje de complicaciones; el tratamiento quirúrgico es el de elección, combinado con antibióticoterapia.

Background: acute cholecystitis is an inflammatory disease, characterized by acute changes in the gallbladder wall that can range from edema and congestion to gangrene and perforation. It is a disease with a high incidence in surgical urgency. Objective: to clinically and surgically characterize acute cholecystitis in patients of the General Surgery Service. Methods: a descriptive and prospective study of patients treated for acute cholecystitis in the Surgery Service was carried out from January the 1st, 2017 to December the 31st, 2019. Data were obtained from medical records and operative reports, using a data collection model. The variables age, sex, associated diseases, clinical manifestations, diagnostic confirmation, type of treatment, modality of surgical treatment, evolution, complications, use of antibiotics, place of admission and hospital stay were analyzed. Results: female patients aged 60 years and over predominated; abdominal pain prevailed in most of the patients, accompanied by vomiting and tachycardia; the diagnosis was confirmed through the clinic; surgical treatment predominated, conventional open cholecystectomy was the technique of choice; most progress satisfactorily. Surgical wound sepsis was the most frequent complication. Conclusions: acute cholecystitis is more frequent in the elderly, early diagnosis and timely treatment can reduce the percentage of complications; surgical treatment is the treatment of choice, combined with antibiotic therapy.

Asociación entre el riesgo nutricional, estancia hospitalaria y diagnóstico médico en pacientes de un hospital del seguro social peruano

Objetivo: Determinar la asociación que existe entre el riesgo nutricional, la estancia hospitalaria y el diagnóstico médico en pacientes hospitalizados en el Centro Especializado de Rehabilitación Profesional (CERP) del Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional de cohorte longitudinal, retrospectivo, que incluyó a las personas hospitalizadas durante el periodo comprendido entre el 1 de julio del 2021 y el 27 de febrero del 2022. Hubo un seguimiento de los pacientes hasta su alta del centro hospitalario (egreso). Se excluyeron los individuos menores de 18 años, gestantes o puérperas, y cuya permanencia fue menor a 24 horas. Los datos de interés fueron recogidos a partir de la revisión de las historias clínicas y kárdex de nutrición. La variable principal fue el riesgo nutricional, el cual fue detectado mediante el Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS) 2002; las variables secundarias fueron los grupos etarios, el sexo, la estancia hospitalaria, el diagnóstico médico principal, la condición de egreso y el estado nutricional. En el análisis de los datos, para la comparación de variables cualitativas o categóricas se utilizó la prueba chi-cuadrado y para variables cuantitativas, la prueba t de Student y ANOVA. Se consideró significancia estadística al valor de p < 0,05. Resultados: Se incluyó un total de 1 929 pacientes. La prevalencia del riesgo nutricional fue 33,13 %. Los pacientes con esta condición presentaron tasas de mortalidad más altas (57,51 %). Se observó que la prevalencia del riesgo nutricional está relacionada con una mayor estancia hospitalaria (4,6 días más) (p < 0,001), con el diagnóstico nutricional de delgadez (48,67 %) (p < 0,001) y con el diagnóstico médico, donde la enfermedad oncológica es la más asociada (50,93 %). Conclusiones: El riesgo nutricional se asocia a una evolución negativa de la enfermedad, lo que origina un aumento de la estancia hospitalaria, la tasa de mortalidad y, por ende, los costos intrahospitalarios. Es importante realizar su detección temprana para poder brindar intervenciones nutricionales adecuadas.

Objective: To determine the association between nutritional risk, hospital stay and medical diagnosis among patients admitted at Centro Especializado de Rehabilitación Profesional (CERP) of Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen. Materials and methods: An observational retrospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted with inpatients between July 1, 2021 and February 27, 2022. The patients were followed up until they left the hospital (discharge). Individuals under 18 years of age, pregnant or puerperal women, and those whose stay was less than 24 hours were excluded. The data of interest was collected from the patients' medical records and diet cards. The main variable was the nutritional risk, which was detected using the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS) 2002. The secondary variables were age group, sex, hospital stay, main medical diagnosis, discharge condition and nutritional status. Data analysis was performed using the chi-square test to compare the qualitative or categorical variables, and the Student's t-test and ANOVA for the quantitative variables. A value of p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: A total of 1,929 patients were included in the study. Nutritional risk prevalence accounted for 33.13 %. Patients with this condition showed the highest mortality rates (57.51 %). It was found that nutritional risk prevalence was related to a longer hospital stay (4.6 more days) (p < 0.001), a diagnosis of constitutional thinness (48.67 %) (p < 0.001) and the medical diagnosis, being oncology disorders the most associated ones (50.93 %). Conclusions: Nutritional risk is associated with disease progression, resulting in an increased hospital stay, mortality rate and therefore hospital costs. Early detection is important to provide adequate dietary interventions.

Sequencing and description of the complete mitochondrial genome of Limatus durhamii (Diptera: Culicidae).

The genus Limatus (Diptera: Culicidae) are wild mosquitoes belonging to the Sabethini tribe that occurs in tropical countries and is related to transmission cycles of Orthobunyavirus (Bunyaviridae), particularly in the Amazon region. Given the unavailability of information related to evolutionary biology and molecular taxonomy aspects of this genus, we report here the first complete sequencing of the mitochondrial genome of Limatus durhamii Theobald, 1901. The NextSeq 500 platform was used for sample sequencing, and the mitochondrial sequence obtained was 14,875 bp long, comprising 37 functional subunits (13 PCGs, 22 tRNA and 02 rRNA). The phylogeny reconstructed by maximum likelihood based on the concatenation of all 13 PCGs corroborated the known taxonomic classification based most on aspects of the external morphology and few molecular studies. The data and information produced here may be useful in the future development of taxonomic and evolutionary studies for the genus, as well as the Culicidae family itself.

Norcantharidin toxicity profile: an in vivo murine study.

Norcantharidin (NCTD) is the demethylated analog of cantharidin, with allegedly reduced toxicity. However, there is still limited information regarding its posology and potential risk in its use in cancer treatment. Healthy BDF1 mice were intraperitoneally administered with norcantharidin (0, 3, 6, 12, and 25 mg/kg) every 24 h for 6 days. Survivor mice were euthanized, and the brain, lungs, kidneys, spleen, and liver were procured for enzymatic and histopathological analysis in the liver and kidney. DL50 were 8.86 mg/kg for females and 11.77 mg/kg for males. The treatments with 3.0 mg/kg and 6.0 mg/kg significantly modified the phosphorylase, alanine transaminase, and γ-glutamyl transferase activities; however, an organ-specific response was detected. A significant dose-dependent decrease was observed in the kidney for ROS, while the liver had the opposite effect. Histopathological analysis revealed a significant elevation in hepatocytes' nuclei average size and total area (3 mg/kg), as well as centrilobular vein and adjacent sinusoidal capillaries showed a significant difference. The portal triad presented a significant difference in veins and capillarity count in 6 mg/kg. Renal samples showed cortex convoluted tubules' average size significantly augmented in both doses' groups, and tubule count was found augmented in 6 mg/kg. These physiological effects of NCTD can be exploited as treatment strategies if able to operate in an established posology and proper testing.

Breast Cancer Detection Using Automated Segmentation and Genetic Algorithms.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, after lung cancer. However, early detection of breast cancer can help to reduce death rates in breast cancer patients and also prevent cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. This work proposes a new method to design a bio-marker integrating Bayesian predictive models, pyRadiomics System and genetic algorithms to classify the benign and malignant lesions. The method allows one to evaluate two types of images: The radiologist-segmented lesion, and a novel automated breast cancer detection by the analysis of the whole breast. The results demonstrate only a difference of 12% of effectiveness for the cases of calcification between the radiologist generated segmentation and the automatic whole breast analysis, and a 25% of difference between the lesion and the breast for the cases of masses. In addition, our approach was compared against other proposed methods in the literature, providing an AUC = 0.86 for the analysis of images with lesions in breast calcification, and AUC = 0.96 for masses.

Enzymatic Crosslinked Hydrogels of Gelatin and Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) Loaded with Probiotic Bacteria as Oral Delivery System.

Probiotic bacteria are widely used to prepare pharmaceutical products and functional foods because they promote and sustain health. Nonetheless, probiotic viability is prone to decrease under gastrointestinal conditions. In this investigation, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum spp. CM-CNRG TB98 was entrapped in a gelatin−poly (vinyl alcohol) (Gel−PVA) hydrogel which was prepared by a "green" route using microbial transglutaminase (mTGase), which acts as a crosslinking agent. The hydrogel was fully characterized and its ability to entrap and protect L. plantarum from the lyophilization process and under simulated gastric and intestine conditions was explored. The Gel−PVA hydrogel showed a high probiotic loading efficiency (>90%) and survivability from the lyophilization process (91%) of the total bacteria entrapped. Under gastric conditions, no disintegration of the hydrogel was observed, keeping L. plantarum protected with a survival rate of >94%. While in the intestinal fluid the hydrogel is completely dissolved, helping to release probiotics. A Gel−PVA hydrogel is suitable for a probiotic oral administration system due to its physicochemical properties, lack of cytotoxicity, and the protection it offers L. plantarum under gastric conditions.

Apendicitis aguda y el riesgo de tumor maligno oculto. Presentación de un caso y revisión sistemática de la literatura / Acute appendicitis and the risk of hidden malignant tumor. Presentation of a case and systematic review of literature

Introducción: Los tumores apendiculares representan aproximadamente 1% de los tumores malignos del intestino grueso. Más del 50% de las neoplasias primarias del apéndice se manifiestan inicialmente como apendicitis aguda. Métodos: Se reporta caso de paciente masculino que presentó adenocarcinoma invasor en biopsia de pieza quirúrgica de apéndice cecal tras apendicectomía, tomando la decisión de realizar hemicolectomía derecha laparoscópica diferida. Discusión: En este caso y como en la mayoría de los reportes de la bibliografía mundial, el adenocarcinoma simula un cuadro de AA. En un metaanálisis y una revisión sistemática de 2.771 pacientes diagnosticados de masa apendicular inflamatoria (flemón o absceso), Andersson et al. encontró 31 con tumores malignos. Estas lesiones se detectan en el 0,9% al 1,4% de las apendicectomías realizadas para tratar la AA. Conclusión: Este subtipo histológico presenta mayor incidencia de metástasis en los ganglios linfáticos y la supervivencia global era del 47,5%. Es por ello por lo que abogamos por la resección colónica como tratamiento definitivo del adenocarcinoma de apéndice cecal.

INTRODUCTION: Appendulular tumors represent approximately 1% of malignant tumors of the large intestine. More than 50% of the primary neoplasms of the appendix initially manifest as acute appendicitis. Methods: Men's patient who presented invading adenocarcinoma in Cecal Appendix Surgical Party Biopsy after appendectomy, making the decision to perform deferred laparoscopic right hemicolectomy, is reported. Discussion: In this case and as in most world literature reports, adenocarcinoma simulates an AA picture. In a meta -analysis and a systematic review of 2,771 diagnosed patients of inflammatory appendicular mass (phlegmon or abscess), Andersson et al. He found 31 with malignant tumors. These lesions are detected at 0.9% to 1.4% of appendectomies made to treat the AA. Conclusion: This histological subtype has a greater incidence of metastasis in lymph nodes and global survival was 47.5%. That is why we advocate colonic resection as a definitive treatment of cecal appendix adenocarcinoma.

Revisión Anatómica de Sistema Venoso Intrahepático. Hematoma Intrahepático Subcapsular en Colecistectomia Laparoscópica / Anatomical Review of Intrahepatic Venous System. Subcapsular Intrahepatic Hematoma In Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

La aparición del hematoma intrahepático subcapsular (SHI) después de la colecistectomía laparoscópica es una complicación poco frecuente. El estudio anatómico de las venas suprahepáticas nos permitió observar que existen numerosos patrones de ramificación de estos. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 37 años que, durante la intervención de colecistectomía laparoscópica, se observa en el acto quirúrgico, la formación espontánea de hematomas subcapsulares, secundario a la tracción forzada del fondo del órgano

The appearance of subcapsular intrahepatic hematoma (SHI) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an infrequent complication.The anatomical study of the suprahepatic veins allowed us to observe that there are numerous branching patterns of these. We present the case of a 37-year-old female who, during the laparoscopic cholecystectomy intervention, is observed in the surgical act, the spontaneous formation of subcapsular hematomas, secondary to forced traction of the fundus of the organ

Optimization of 5-CQA Extraction Conditions from Green Coffee By-Product (Coffea arabica) Using a Response-Surface Design and the Study of Its Extraction Kinetics.

To take advantage of the residues generated in the production of products from green coffee and due to the special interest in the compounds contained in the bean, a by-product obtained after the extraction of the oil was studied. The physical characterization of the green-coffee-bean by-product was carried out. Subsequently, the extraction of compound 5-CQA was carried out via leaching using central composition design 24 and evaluating factors such as temperature, time, solid/solvent ratio, and ethanol percentage, and its yield was quantified using HPLC. In addition, the response-surface methodology was used to maximize the efficiency of 5-CQA extraction and to perform the kinetic study. Yields of 59 ± 2 mg of 5-CQA/g from the by-product were obtained, and by selecting the best leaching conditions, the kinetic study was performed at 45, 60, and 75 °C, increasing the yield to a total of 61.8 ± 3 mg of 5-CQA/g. By applying the kinetic model of mass transfer, a fit of R2 > 0.97 was obtained, with KLa values between 0.266 and 0.320 min−1. This study showed an approach to optimize the 5-CQA extraction conditions, resulting in a simple, fast, reproducible, accurate, and low-cost method.

Bezoar. A propósito de un caso / Bezoar. A case report

Introducción: la obstrucción del intestino delgado (SBO) es una presentación común en cualquier unidad de cirugía general. Sin embargo, su diagnóstico y manejo preoperatorio a menudo pueden ser difíciles debido a sus múltiples causas. La obstrucción intestinal pequeña secundaria a la impactación de bezoar es considerablemente infrecuente, con una frecuencia reportada de aproximadamente 0.4% a 4%. La incidencia de bezoar como causa de obstrucción intestinal es baja. El método complementario con la mayor sensibilidad y especificidad continúa siendo CT del abdomen y la pelvis con contraste oral e intravenoso. El tratamiento debe ser quirúrgico. Modificar la dieta junto con el manejo de los trastornos es la mejor forma de prevención.

Introduction: Small Bowel Obstruction (SBO) is a common presentation in any general surgery unit. However, its diagnosis and preoperative management can often be difficult due to its multiple causes. Small bowel obstruction secondary to bezoar impaction is considerably uncommon, with a reported frequency of about 0.4% to 4%. The incidence of bezoar as a cause of intestinal obstruction is low. The complementary method with the highest sensitivity and specificity continues to be CT of the abdomen and pelvis with oral and intravenous contrast. Treatment must be surgical. Modifying the diet along with managing the disorders is the best form of prevention

Insights into structure and function of CdcVEGFs, the vascular endothelial growth factor from Crotalus durissus collilineatus snake venom.

Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) are crucial molecules involved in the modulation of angiogenesis. Snake venom-derived VEGFs (svVEGFs) are known to contribute significantly to the envenoming due to their capacity of increasing vascular permeability. In our work, we isolated and analyzed the biochemical and functional properties of the VEGF from Crotalus durissus collilineatus venom (CdcVEGF). The venom was fractionated by reversed phase chromatography on FPLC system (Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography) and the eluted fractions were submitted to an ELISA assay using an anti-VEGF-F antibody, for identification of svVEGF. Positive fractions for svVEGF were submitted to SDS-PAGE and to an anion exchange chromatography to isolate the molecule. The subfractions were analyzed by ELISA and SDS-PAGE and six of them presented svVEGFs, named CdcVEGF1 (Q23-3), CdcVEGF2 (Q24-3), CdcVEGF3 (Q24-4), CdcVEGF4 (Q25-3), CdcVEGF5 (Q25-4), and CdcVEGF6 (Q25-5). Their structural characterization was accomplished by mass spectrometry analysis using MALDI-TOF to determine their molecular masses and UPLC-ESI-QTOF to determine their amino acid sequence. Interestingly, all isolated CdcVEGFs induced angiogenesis on HUVEC cells through tube formation on Matrigel when compared to culture medium (negative control). Moreover, CdcVEGF2 and CdcVEGF3 also induced a significant increase in tube formation when compared to the positive control (basic fibroblast growth factor - bFGF). Additionally, crotalid antivenom produced by the Instituto Butantan was able to recognize CdcVEGFs, demonstrating to be immunogenic. This study demonstrates that snake venom cocktail can reveal novel and important molecules, which are potential molecular tools to study diverse biological processes, such as angiogenesis.

Case Report: Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome Diagnostic in the Face of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) is an emerging rodent-borne disease in the Americas. The most common initial symptoms of HCPS are similar to those of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections that evolve rapidly to respiratory failure, resulting from pulmonary edema and shock in about 40% of cases. We describe a fatal case of HCPS in a 24-year-old man who was hospitalized with fever, hemoconcentration, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, dry cough and a bilateral diffuse alveolar pulmonary infiltrate during the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. HCPS needs to be ruled out in patients with clinical manifestations compatible with respiratory infections such as influenza and COVID-19.

First Description of the Mitogenome and Phylogeny of Culicinae Species from the Amazon Region.

The Culicidae family is distributed worldwide and comprises about 3587 species subdivided into the subfamilies Anophelinae and Culicinae. This is the first description of complete mitochondrial DNA sequences from Aedes fluviatilis, Aedeomyia squamipennis, Coquillettidia nigricans, Psorophora albipes, and Psorophora ferox. The mitogenomes showed an average length of 15,046 pb and 78.02% AT content, comprising 37 functional subunits (13 protein coding genes, 22 tRNAs, and two rRNAs). The most common start codons were ATT/ATG, and TAA was the stop codon for all PCGs. The tRNAs had the typical leaf clover structure, except tRNASer1. Phylogeny was inferred by analyzing the 13 PCGs concatenated nucleotide sequences of 48 mitogenomes. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analysis placed Ps. albipes and Ps. ferox in the Janthinosoma group, like the accepted classification of Psorophora genus. Ae. fluviatilis was placed in the Aedini tribe, but was revealed to be more related to the Haemagogus genus, a result that may have been hampered by the poor sampling of Aedes sequences. Cq. nigricans clustered with Cq. chrysonotum, both related to Mansonia. Ae. squamipennis was placed as the most external lineage of the Culicinae subfamily. The yielded topology supports the concept of monophyly of all groups and ratifies the current taxonomic classification.