Ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata) supplementation promotes increased longevity associated with improved antioxidant status in Drosophila melanogaster.

This study evaluated the effects of ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeate) flour supplementation on the in vivo basal antioxidant system of Drosophila melanogaster, and its action on the neural modulation observed by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The flies will receive a standard diet with flour incorporated at 5, 10 and 20% for 7 days. There was no change in food consumption, body weight, protein thiol levels and negative geotaxis behavior. The flies showed a reduction in the basal production of reactive species at concentrations of 10 and 20%, while there was a reduction in lipid peroxidation and catalase activity at all concentrations, accompanied by an increase in the levels of non-protein thiols. Superoxide dismutase activity was reduced in the 5 and 20% groups, while the reduction of superoxide anion in the 10% group may have contributed to the increase in longevity also in the 10% group. Longevity increased in groups 5 and 10%. The open field test may be related to the reduction in AChE activity in the 5, 10 and 20% groups. In general, the data show that supplementation with ora-pro-nobis flour at the concentrations tested did not cause toxicity and modulated the cholinergic system, demonstrating a therapeutic potential.

Validation of the performance of a point of care molecular test for leprosy: From a simplified DNA extraction protocol to a portable qPCR.

The study aimed to optimize qPCR reactions using oligonucleotides from the first Brazilian molecular diagnostic kit for leprosy on a portable platform (Q3-Plus). In addition, we sought to develop a simplified protocol for DNA extraction that met point-of-care criteria. During optimization on the Q3-Plus, optical parameters, thresholds, and cutoffs for the 16S rRNA and RLEP targets of M. leprae were established using synthetic DNA, purified DNA from M. leprae, and pre-characterized clinical samples. For the simplified extraction protocol, different lysis solutions were evaluated using chaotropic agents, and purification was carried out by transferring the lysed material to FTA cards. The complete protocol (simplified extraction + qPCR on the portable platform) was then evaluated with pre-characterized clinical skin biopsy samples and compared with standard equipment (QuantStudio-5). LOD95% for the optimized reactions was 113.31 genome-equivalents/µL for 16S rRNA and 17.70 genome-equivalents/µL for RLEP. Among the lysis solutions, the best-performing was composed of urea (2 M), which provided good dissolution of the skin fragment and a lower Ct value, indicating higher concentrations of DNA. The complete technological solution showed a sensitivity of 52% in reactions. Our results highlight the need for additional optimization to deal with paucibacillary samples, but also demonstrate the feasibility of the portable platform for the qPCR detection of M. leprae DNA in low infrastructure settings.

Analysis of the association between different domains and intensities of physical activity in adults: An observational and cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between different domains and intensities of physical activity (PA) in adults. METHODS: 269 participants were randomly selected in a community-dwelling representative sampling process. The habitual PA practice was assessed in different domains (occupational, sports practice, and leisure time/commuting) using Baecke's questionnaire and in different intensities (light, moderate, vigorous, and very vigorous) by accelerometry. Linear regression models analyzed the association between variables. RESULTS: Moderate and moderate-to-vigorous PA was positively associated with the three PA domain scores. Vigorous PA was associated with sports practice and leisure time/commuting PA. Only sports practice was associated with very vigorous-intensity PA (ß = 1.32; 95% CI = 0.29; 2.35). Different associations were observed in stratified analyses according to sex and age groups. Men and younger participants showed an association of domain scores with higher intensity PA than their counterparts. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that higher intensities of PA were observed primarily in leisure time/commuting PA and sports practice, and this association varied according to sex and age.

Applications of Ocular Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Optic Nerve Sheath Assessment in the Emergency Setting: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To evaluate the current body of literature pertaining to the use of ocular point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in the emergency department. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on SCOPUS, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and Cochrane CENTRAL. Inclusion criteria included studies written in English only and primary clinical studies involving ocular POCUS scans in an emergency department setting. Exclusion criteria included non-primary studies (e.g. reviews or case reports), studies written in a non-English language, non-human studies, studies performed in a non-emergency setting, studies involving non-POCUS ocular ultrasound modalities, or studies published outside of the last decade. Data extraction was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. Results: The initial search yielded 391 results with 153 duplicates. Of the remaining 238 studies selected for retrieval and screening, 24 met inclusion criteria. These 24 included studies encompassed 2448 patients across prospective, retrospective, cross sectional, and case series study designs. We found that a majority of included studies focus on the use of POCUS in the emergency department to measure ONSD as a proxy for papilledema and metabolic aberrations, while a minority use ocular POCUS to assist in the diagnosis of orbital fractures or posterior segment pathology. Conclusion: The vast majority of articles investigating the use of ocular POCUS in recent years emphasize its utility in measuring ONSD and fluctuations in intracranial pressure, though additional outcomes of interest include posterior segment, orbit, and globe pathology.

Bayesian Modeling and Estimation of Spatial Risk for Hospitalization and Mortality from Ischemic Heart Disease in Paraná, Brazil.

Objective: Despite significant advancements in understanding risk factors and treatment strategies, ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide, particularly within specific regions in Brazil, where the disease is a burden. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the risk of hospitalization and mortality from IHD in the state of Paraná (Brazil), using spatial analysis to identify areas with higher risk based on socioeconomic, demographic and health variables. Methods: This is an ecological study based on secondary and retrospective IHD hospitalization and mortality data obtained from the Brazilian Hospitalization and Mortality Information Systems during the 2010-2021 period. Data were analyzed for 399 municipalities and 22 health regions in the state of Paraná. To assess the spatial patterns of the disease and identify relative risk (RR) areas, we constructed a risk model by Bayesian inference using the R-INLA and SpatialEpi packages in R software. Results: A total of 333,229 hospitalizations and 73,221 deaths occurred in the analyzed period, and elevated RR of hospitalization (RR = 27.412, CI 21.801; 34.466) and mortality (RR = 15.673, CI 2.148; 114.319) from IHD occurred in small-sized municipalities. In addition, medium-sized municipalities also presented elevated RR of hospitalization (RR = 6.533, CI 1.748; 2.006) and mortality (RR = 6.092, CI 1.451; 2.163) from IHD. Hospitalization and mortality rates were higher in white men aged 40-59 years. A negative association was found between Municipal Performance Index (IPDM) and IHD hospitalization and mortality. Conclusion: Areas with increased risk of hospitalization and mortality from IHD were found in small and medium-sized municipalities in the state of Paraná, Brazil. These results suggest a deficit in health care attention for IHD cases in these areas, potentially due to a low distribution of health care resources.

Influence of root canal taper on the measurement of two different electronic apex locators.

Background: This research aimed to analyze the influence of root canal taper on the accuracy of two Electronic Apex Locators (EALs). Material and Methods: Twenty-five disto-vestibular roots from extracted human upper molars belonging to the tooth bank were used in this study. To determine the File Position (FP), access was made using a spherical diamond tip #1014, and the crowns were sectioned using a diamond tip #3080. The initial anatomic file used was a size K #10, which was introduced into the root canal until its tip was visualized (foraminal patency) with the aid of a clinical microscope (16X magnification). Teeth without foraminal patency and calcifications were excluded from the study. Odontometric readings were performed using two different EALs (Root ZX II and Romiapex A-15), considering the electronic reference point 0.0 (apex) for each device. All measurements were taken in triplicate, and the arithmetic mean of the three values was used. Digital calipers were used to record the measurements, which were then entered into an Excel spreadsheet. After visual verification using file K #10, the canals were instrumented with a #25.01 file to standardize the apical region, then successively instrumented with files #25.02, #25.04, #25.06, #25.08, #25.10, and #25.12, with electronic odontometry checked after each instrumentation using #25.02. Measurement 0.0 was adopted, with error margins of ±0.5 and ±1.0. Discrepancies between visual and electronic readings were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Bonferroni tests, with significance considered when P<0.05. Results: Using the 0.0 mark and a ±1.0 error margin, it was observed that readings from the devices were similar in canals with different tapers (P>0.05), showing a tendency towards underestimation. However, when using the measurement variation margin of ±0.50, a statistically significant difference was found in the Romiapex A-15 group (P=0.0248) when comparing the results of the two EALs. Conclusions: Therefore, it was concluded that the canal taper did not significantly influence the accuracy of the evaluated EALs, using the reference point 0.0. When using the ±0.5 variation margin, the Romiapex A-15 device showed greater accuracy, and finally, at the ±1.0 error margin, both EALs exhibited excellent precision. Key words:Endodontics, Odontometry, Eletronic Apex Locator, Root Canal Preparation.

Mastocytosis and intraepithelial lymphocytosis in the ileum and colon characterize chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice.

Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, a common zoonotic disease affecting vertebrates with high global incidence. For the parasite to disseminate throughout the body, it crosses the intestinal barrier, triggering inflammatory reactions. This study aimed to assess the tissue response in the ileum and colon of mice following chronic infection with T. gondii. Fourteen mice were divided into two groups: the infected group received 1000 T. gondii oocysts via gavage, and after 60 days, the mice were euthanized. The ileum and colon were collected and processed for histological analysis, inflammatory marker measurement and myenteric neuron analysis. Chronic infection resulted in a significant increase in intraepithelial lymphocytes and mast cells, as well as morphometric changes such as increased total intestinal wall thickness of the ileum, crypt depth, collagen fiber area, and a decrease in myeloperoxidase activity, without altering nitric oxide levels. While the number of myenteric neurons remained unchanged, there was an increase in vasoactive intestinal peptide expression. These results suggest persistence intestinal inflammatory stimuli in chronic T. gondii infection.

Developing a genomic-based strategy to confirm microbial identity in bio-inputs containing multiple strains: an easy, fast, and low-cost multiplex PCR applied to inoculants carrying soybean Bradyrhizobium.

Brazil stands out in research, industrial development, and farmers' use of microbial inoculants, with an emphasis on getting benefits from the biological nitrogen fixation process with the soybean crop. Nowadays, about 140 million doses of inoculants are commercialized annually for the soybean in the country, and strain identification is achieved by rep-PCR, an effective but time-consuming method. Aiming to develop an easy, low-cost, and low-time-consuming method, we used a complete genome-based approach based on the unequivocal identification of unique genes present in the genomes of each of the four Bradyrhizobium strains used in commercial inoculants: Bradyrhizobium elkanii strains SEMIA 587 and SEMIA 5019, Bradyrhizobium japonicum SEMIA 5079, and Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens SEMIA 5080. The unique pairs of primers able to amplify genomic regions of different sizes allowed the identification of the four strains in a simple multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Validation was confirmed by using single colonies, multiple cultures, and commercial inoculants. The number of labor hours of a technician was 3.08 times higher, and the final cost was 3.25 times higher in the rep-PCR than in the multiplex PCR. Most importantly, the results for multiplex PCR were obtained on the same day, in contrast with 15 days in the traditional methodology. The genomic approach developed can be easily applied to a variety of microbial inoculants worldwide, in addition to studies of ecology and evaluation of the competitiveness of the strains.

Association of parent-child health parameters and lifestyle habits - the "epi-family health" longitudinal study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle and habits, cardiovascular risk factors (CRF), bone and mental health, dietary habits, physical activity, among others are developed in childhood and adolescence. Family environment has shown to play an important role in these outcomes. However, whether the parent-child relationship lifestyle habits and health parameters can be influenced by physical activity patterns still unclear. The objective of this study will be to monitor and investigate the associations between lifestyle habits between parents and their children longitudinally, as well as verify whether in more active parents, the possible associations with lifestyle habits are different from those of parents considered less active. METHODS: The sample will consist of parents (father, mother, or both) and their children /adolescents. The participants will be recruited through public call by flyers spread across all the regions of the city and also through social media. The health parameters will include cardiovascular (cardiac autonomic modulation, blood pressure and resting heart rate), bone mineral density, anthropometric indices, handgrip strength, mental health (quality of life, anxiety and depression symptoms and stress), self-reported morbidities and musculoskeletal pain. Lifestyle habits will include physical activity levels, sedentary behavior, sleep parameters, eating patterns, smoking and alcohol consumption. Sociodemographic variables of age, sex, ethnicity and socioeconomic status will be considered as covariates. The follow-up visits of data collection will be scheduled after a period of 12 months from the baseline assessment during every twelve months. DISCUSSION: The family environment has great potential to determine lifestyle habits in children and adolescents. Based on the results presented in the present study, we hope that health promotion actions can be better designed in the family environment.

Use of posturography in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A systematic review.

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is characterised as a chronic inflammatory disease of the axial skeleton. The force platform is an option for performing the postural assessment of these individuals. Objectives: To review and evaluate the behaviour of the centre of pressure (CoP) variables during the postural control examination in patients with AS compared to a control group. Method: A systematic review, registered in PROSPERO, that followed the PRISMA Statement. A search was carried out in the following databases: Medline, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Scielo, from 1945 to 2023. Studies were selected that aimed to understand the use of the force platform for the assessment of postural control. The risk of bias assessment was performed using the AXIS tool. Results: Five studies were included, with a total of 247 participants. The assessment of risk of bias presented high scores in the AXIS tool. Patients with a diagnosis of AS presented increased thoracic kyphosis in most of the studies, as well as large displacements in the anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions, and altered total mean velocity (TMV) and frequency, indicating worse postural stability. Regarding the functional status, the most used questionnaires were the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) and Bath Ankylosing Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). Conclusion: Patients with ankylosing spondylitis present postural instability, verified by means of higher values of centre of posture variables. Clinical implications: Individuals with ankylosing spondylitis presented postural instability and balance deficit. Therefore, exercises for balance training and postural control are essential in the clinical management of these patients.

Deforestation and Bovine Rabies Outbreaks in Costa Rica, 1985-2020.

In Latin America, rabies virus has persisted in a cycle between Desmodus rotundus vampire bats and cattle, potentially enhanced by deforestation. We modeled bovine rabies virus outbreaks in Costa Rica relative to land-use indicators and found spatial-temporal relationships among rabies virus outbreaks with deforestation as a predictor.

Sporotrichosis Cluster in Domestic Cats and Veterinary Technician, Kansas, USA, 2022.

We describe a feline sporotrichosis cluster and zoonotic transmission between one of the affected cats and a technician at a veterinary clinic in Kansas, USA. Increased awareness of sporotrichosis and the potential for zoonotic transmission could help veterinary professionals manage feline cases and take precautions to prevent human acquisition.

Association of Sports Practice in Childhood and Adolescence with Cardiac Autonomic Modulation in Adulthood: A Retrospective Epidemiological Study.

BACKGROUND: Practicing sports during childhood and adolescence provides benefits to cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM) at these stages of life. However, it is not known whether these benefits to CAM persist into adulthood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the association of early sports practice (sports practice in childhood and/or adolescence) with CAM in adult life, regardless of habitual moderate-to-vigorous PA. METHODS: The sample of the present study consisted of 242 adults (141 women and 101 men; age: 41.99 ± 16.24). The assessment of CAM was performed using heart rate variability indices. Sports practice in childhood and adolescence was assessed using a questionnaire. The intensity of physical activity was assessed using accelerometry. To analyze the association between previous sports practice (childhood and/or adolescence) and CAM, the Generalized Linear Model was adopted, considering CAM indices as continuous variables and early sports practice as a 3-fold factor (no sports practice; sports practice in childhood or adolescence; and sports practice in both childhood and adolescence) adjusted by sex, age, socioeconomic condition, and moderate to vigorous PA. RESULTS: Sports practice in childhood was associated with the average standard deviation of all normal RR intervals expressed in milliseconds (SDNN): ß = 5.89; 95%CI: 0.25;11.52, and the standard deviation of the long-term intervals between consecutive heartbeats (SD2): ß = 7.63; 95%CI:1.04; 14.23 indices. Sports practice in adolescence was associated in adulthood with the SD2 index: ß = 7.37; 95%CI: 0.71;14.04. Sports practice in at least one of the periods (childhood or adolescence) was significantly associated with the square root of the mean square of the differences between adjacent normal RR intervals for a period of time expressed in milliseconds (RMSSD) (ß = 8.86; 95%CI = 0.71;17.01), and the standard deviation of the instantaneous beat to beat variability (SD1) (ß = 6.21; 95%CI = 0.45;11.97). Sports practice at both stages of life was significantly associated with better SDNN (ß = 7.70; 95%CI = 1.16;14.23) and SD2 (ß = 10.18; 95%CI = 2.51;17.85). CONCLUSION: Early sports practice was associated with better CAM in adulthood, independently of the current physical activity level. Based on these findings, sports practice is encouraged from childhood and adolescence, for benefits to CAM in adult life.

Ex vivo evaluation of the accuracy of four electronic foraminal locators during endodontic retreatment.

The present study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of four different Electronic Foraminal Locators (EFLs): Root ZX II (J. Morita, Tokyo, Japan), RomiApex A15 (Romidan, Kiryat-Ono, Israel), FinePex (Schuster, Porto Alegre, Brazil) and VDW Gold (VDW, Munich, Germany), in determining root length during endodontic retreatment steps. Twenty-seven human unirooted teeth had their crowns sectioned to standardize the teeth to 17 mm. The actual tooth length was visualized with an operating microscope and a #15 file juxtaposed to the apical foramen. Teeth were instrumented with files R25 and R40, and at the end of each instrumentation, measurements of root canal lengths were made with files #25 and #40. Then, the teeth had their root canals filled with standardized Gutta-Percha R40 cones and Endofill cement, and after seven days, they were uncovered with R25 and R40 files, respectively. New measurements were made with #25 and #40 files between the uncovering with each file. The data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Chi-square tests, considered significant when P<0.05. All devices tended to under-measurement when the obturating material was partially removed with the R25 file. When the canals were uncovered with the R40 instrument, the effectiveness of the appliances increased significantly (P<0.05). At 0.40 mm diameter, the mean accuracy of the Romiapex A15 appliance was statistically lower than the other EFLs (P<0.001), showing a tendency to over-measurement. In conclusion, all the tested appliances showed similar efficacy when acceptable limits were observed. The permanence of the remaining filling material in the apical third influenced the accuracy and efficacy of EFLs in endodontic retreatment cases. Key words:Endodontics, odontometry, apical foramen.

Seasonal and Circadian Variation of Non-Volatile Metabolites in Lippia alba Leaves.

The present study describes the seasonal and circadian variations of the major compounds from Lippia alba leaves. SPSS was used to identify, quantify, and associate the variations in the secondary metabolites of this species through HPLC/DAD analysis of the leaves hydroethanolic extracts of six selected L. alba specimens. For the circadian study, the samples were collected at four different daily hours in each year's season. For the seasonal study, the samples were collected monthly from the same individuals for two consecutive years (2018 and 2019). These samples were analyzed and quantified using a validated HPLC method for flavonoids, iridoids, and phenyl ethanoid glycoside. Mussaenoside, acteoside, and tricin-7-O-diglucuronide showed a moderate positive correlation between their biosynthesis and the precipitation index, while epi-loganin had a moderate negative correlation. Acteoside showed a moderate positive correlation between the minimum registered temperature and its production. Compared with previous studies, a drastic reduction (about 95 %) in the production of tricin-7-O-diglucuronide compared with previous study and this difference could be attributed to the plant's aging. Thus, the data demonstrated that lower temperatures and high rainfall could favor the production of the major L. alba active compounds (acteoside and tricin-7-O-diglucuronide) and that older plants harm their production.

Circulating factors in cancer cachexia: recent opportunities for translational research.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To discuss the recent discoveries and limitations of the available literature on emerging circulating biomarkers of cancer cachexia. RECENT FINDINGS: Studies on circulating factors in cancer cachexia show promising alternatives for diagnosing the syndrome in a minimally invasive manner in the clinic setting, as well as potential targets for cancer cachexia treatment. Factors secreted by the tumor and the adipose tissue, such as extracellular vesicles and soluble proteins, respectively, have been shown to either directly induce wasting in vitro and in vivo or to be altered in the cachectic phenotype. The detection and characterization of circulating cells allows detection of the precachectic stage and the levels of the soluble immune checkpoint protein programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) are correlated with the presence of the hallmarks of cancer cachexia. SUMMARY: Structural, molecular, and metabolic alterations have been observed in various tissues, revealing the occurrence of sustained inter-compartment crosstalk in cachectic patients. Early diagnosis of cancer cachexia becomes crucial to avoid the establishment of refractory cachexia through the implementation of interventions that may attenuate systemic inflammation and muscle loss. More studies on human cancer cachexia are required in order to address the recently discovered cachexia-associated circulating factors' value as biomarkers of the syndrome.

Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) for intractable, non-surgical abdominal pain: a scoping review.

Abdominal pain is one of the most common presenting chief complaints in the emergency department (ED). Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is an ultrasound-guided nerve block with proven effectiveness in treating visceral and somatic abdominal pain. Despite the increasing popularity of ESPB, its role in the management of non-surgical abdominal pain has not yet been characterized. Our scoping review aims to review the current literature on the safety and efficacy of ESPB in the management of patients experiencing intractable, non-surgical abdominal pain. We searched PubMed and Scopus to evaluate the existing literature on ESPB for non-surgical abdominal pain. Reviewers screened 30 titles and abstracts that met the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Following initial screening, 24 articles underwent full-text review. Two reviewers also screened references included in each study. A total of 14 journal articles were reviewed, including 12 case-based studies, one systematic review, and one narrative review of ESPB in the treatment of non-surgical abdominal pain. All cases described the successful use of ESPB in treating abdominal pain refractory to oral or intravenous analgesic medications, and each case reported no complications. This scoping review provides support for ESPB in the management of intractable, non-surgical abdominal pain. ESPB demonstrates efficacy in alleviating various conditions such as functional abdominal pain, renal colic, pancreatitis, herpetic pain, and cancer-related pain. Theoretical risks such as pneumothorax, bleeding, and infection are possible, although the studies reviewed did not report such complications.

Post-COVID-19 condition: systemic inflammation and low functional exercise capacity.

Introduction: Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) is characterised by a plethora of symptoms, with fatigue appearing as the most frequently reported. The alterations that drive both the persistent and post-acute disease newly acquired symptoms are not yet fully described. Given the lack of robust knowledge regarding the mechanisms of PCC we have examined the impact of inflammation in PCC, by evaluating serum cytokine profile and its potential involvement in inducing the different symptoms reported. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 227 participants who were hospitalised with acute COVID-19 in 2020 and came back for a follow-up assessment 6-12 months after hospital discharge. The participants were enrolled in two symptomatic groups: Self-Reported Symptoms group (SR, n = 96), who did not present major organ lesions, yet reported several debilitating symptoms such as fatigue, muscle weakness, and persistent loss of sense of smell and taste; and the Self-Reported Symptoms and decreased Pulmonary Function group (SRPF, n = 54), composed by individuals with the same symptoms described by SR, plus diagnosed pulmonary lesions. A Control group (n = 77), with participants with minor complaints following acute COVID-19, was also included in the study. Serum cytokine levels, symptom questionnaires, physical performance tests and general clinical data were obtained in the follow-up assessment. Results: SRPF presented lower IL-4 concentration compared with Control (q = 0.0018) and with SR (q = 0.030), and lower IFN-α2 serum content compared with Control (q = 0.007). In addition, SRPF presented higher MIP-1ß serum concentration compared with SR (q = 0.029). SR presented lower CCL11 (q = 0.012 and q = 0.001, respectively) and MCP-1 levels (q = 0.052 for both) compared with Control and SRPF. SRPF presented lower G-CSF compared to Control (q = 0.014). Female participants in SR showed lower handgrip strength in relation to SRPF (q = 0.0082). Male participants in SR and SRPF needed more time to complete the timed up-and-go test, as compared with men in the Control group (q = 0.0302 and q = 0.0078, respectively). Our results indicate that different PCC symptom profiles are accompanied by distinct inflammatory markers in the circulation. Of particular concern are the lower muscle function findings, with likely long-lasting consequences for health and quality of life, found for both PCC phenotypes.

Advances in understanding bat infection dynamics across biological scales.

Over the past two decades, research on bat-associated microbes such as viruses, bacteria and fungi has dramatically increased. Here, we synthesize themes from a conference symposium focused on advances in the research of bats and their microbes, including physiological, immunological, ecological and epidemiological research that has improved our understanding of bat infection dynamics at multiple biological scales. We first present metrics for measuring individual bat responses to infection and challenges associated with using these metrics. We next discuss infection dynamics within bat populations of the same species, before introducing complexities that arise in multi-species communities of bats, humans and/or livestock. Finally, we outline critical gaps and opportunities for future interdisciplinary work on topics involving bats and their microbes.