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Deforestation effects and house invasion by chagas disease vectors in Brazil
Abstract We analyzed how deforestation affects triatomine presence and distribution in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, from 2007 to 2019. Using land change data from MapBiomas (1985–2022), we assessed land cover shifts, including forest, deforestation, and urbanization, and their impact on Trypanosoma cruzi vectors. Urban growth has largely replaced mixed-use and forest areas, bringing some populations closer to remnants of the forest and increasing triatomine presence indoors. We documented 1,518 triatomine records, with ~ 50% testing positive for T. cruzi . Statistical models showed that deforestation and the remaining forest patches within neighborhoods are key factors influencing triatomine frequency. This urban expansion raises the risk of parasite transmission among vulnerable groups. To mitigate this, we recommend enhanced surveillance, control strategies, and health education in high-risk neighborhoods, aiming to reduce exposure and prevent disease transmission associated with deforestation and habitat changes.
USP15-dependent modulation of TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling: implications for chondrocyte matrix degradation and autophagy in osteoarthritis
On the influence of design parameters on the performance of the dielectric elastomer actuator with a permanent magnet
Toxic effects of biodegradable polylactic acid nanoplastics on developing zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Sex differences in response to kanamycin-induced ototoxicity in C57BL/6 J mice
Abstract Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is caused mainly by irreversible damage to sensory hair cells after noise exposure, ototoxic medication, and ageing, with men being more prone to developing SNHL than women are. For animal models, sex-related susceptibility to develop SNHL needs to be taken into account. Ototoxic trauma can be modeled in mice via the systemic administration of furosemide and kanamycin. Several other deafening models have shown differences in response to ototoxic medication between female and male mice. Differences in response to kanamycin-induced ototoxicity in male and female mice have not been studied. Here, we examined sex differences in susceptibility to kanamycin plus furosemide-induced ototoxicity in adult C57BL/6 J mice. Adult (postnatal day 40) female and male C57BL/6 J and Lgr5GFP (C57BL/6 J background) mice were used. The animals were deafened with a single dose of furosemide (100 mg/kg, i.v.) in combination with kanamycin (700 or 900 mg/kg, s.c.). Before deafening, seven and twenty-eight days after deafening, auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) to click stimuli were recorded to evaluate hearing performance. The cochleae were harvested seven or twenty-eight days after the induction of ototoxicity and processed for histology to evaluate hair cell loss. Male mice presented large ABR threshold shifts after ototoxic treatment with 700 mg/kg kanamycin (50 dB median hearing loss). In males, 9/12 mice had threshold shifts greater than 40 dB. However, female mice presented significantly less hearing loss in response to 700 mg/kg kanamycin, as observed via ABRs after ototoxic treatment (32 dB median hearing loss), and only 8/22 female mice presented threshold shifts greater than 40 dB. When treated with 900 mg/kg kanamycin, female mice presented large ABR threshold shifts after ototoxic treatment (50 dB median), and 11/16 mice presented threshold shifts greater than 40 dB. Female C57BL/6 J mice are less susceptible to kanamycin-induced hearing loss than males are and hence need higher doses of kanamycin to reach the same level of hearing loss. This finding is in line with the prevalence of disabling hearing loss in humans, which is 7.3% in males and 4.8% in females, where estrogens have been linked to increased hearing performance and protection against hearing loss.
Antimicrobial effects and mechanisms of hydrogen sulphide against nail pathogens
Abstract Nail infections are common but challenging to treat. Oral treatments can be effective but may cause adverse effects and drug interactions, while topical treatments only work in about a third of patients due to poor penetration of antifungals into the nail plate. Small polar molecules, such as hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S), penetrate readily into the nail plate, and previous studies have shown that H 2 S has antimicrobial properties. Using the donor sodium hydrogen sulphide (NaHS), we found that H 2 S has potent activity against causative agents of nail infections, including fungi and bacteria. The most active form appeared to be H 2 S, not the anion HS − , but this was most likely related to the faster cellular uptake of H 2 S. We showed that H 2 S inhibits cytochrome C oxidase (COX), a key respiratory enzyme, increases reactive oxygen species and protein S -sulfhydration. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a stress response, with 96 genes upregulated and 117 downregulated, indicating efforts to reduce oxidative stress. COX inhibition likely causes electron leakage, generating ROS and oxidising cysteine residues, which then react with H 2 S to form S-sulfhydrated proteins. This novel mechanism, along with the ability of H 2 S to penetrate the nail, suggests topical delivery of an H 2 S donor is a promising new treatment for onychomycosis.
Isothermal nucleic acid amplification assays for the detection of porcine stool-associated RNA virus
Abstract Pigs are a vital component of agricultural economies and a major source of livestock worldwide. The Porcine Stool-Associated virus (Posavirus), a newly identified member of the Picornavirales order, has been associated with enteric infections in swine. Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) and Polymerase Spiral Reaction (PSR), two isothermal amplification methods, were developed and optimized in this study to identify the posavirus in pig stool samples quickly and effectively. Primers that target the posavirus’s polyprotein region were designed for both RPA and PSR assays, and reaction parameters were optimized. Sensitivity assessments revealed that the RPA assay had a detection limit of 5.34 × 10 6 copies, while the PSR assay has higher sensitivity at 6.5 × 10 3 copies. Both assays showed high specificity for the posavirus, with no cross-reactivity. An evaluation of 132 field samples revealed that only three samples were positive for posavirus, highlighting the need for continued surveillance. This study reported the successfully development and optimisation of RPA and PSR assays as dependable and easily accessible diagnostic methods for posavirus detection. Their speed, sensitivity, and specificity make them adapted for use in a range of field and laboratory scenarios.
Exploring the impact of Sr substitution on the physical characteristics of CsCdCl3 perovskite via DFT-Based analysis
Fast globalized parameter tuning of antennas using simplex predictors, multilevel EM simulations and principal directions
Abstract Rigorous numerical optimization is ubiquitous in modern antenna design. In many cases, performing local (e.g., gradient-based) parameter tuning is sufficient. However, a global optimization is necessary in many practical scenarios, which incurs tremendous computational expenses and is often unmanageable, mainly when carried out using electromagnetic (EM) analysis. It is possible to mitigate this issue using surrogate modeling techniques. Still, building quality metamodels is hindered by the curse of dimensionality and the necessity of setting up the models across extended ranges of geometry parameters. This paper presents a cost-effective technique for globalized antenna optimization. Our approach carries out the search process in the space of antenna operating parameters (e.g., center frequencies), using simplex-based regression predictors and variable-resolution EM simulations. The stage of global optimization, conducted using low-fidelity EM analysis, is complemented by rapid gradient-based tuning performed using high-resolution models. The latter is accelerated by performing the antenna sensitivity only along certain (principal) directions, affecting response variability to the greatest extent. Comprehensive validation using four microstrip antennas shows the excellent performance of the presented method and its superior computational efficiency over several benchmark methods (less than eighty high-fidelity EM simulations are required to render optimal design on average).
Investigating the electronic properties of graphene oxide functionalized with benzoic acid
Abstract This study employs density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the intricate non-covalent interactions between graphene oxide (GO) and benzoic acid (BA), offering a crucial theoretical foundation for the rational design of advanced GO-based composites. Using the B3LYP/6-31 g(d, p) model, we’ve demonstrated that the functionalization of GO with one or two units of BA leads to a remarkable modification of its electronic properties. Our findings reveal a complex, multifaceted interaction characterized by hydrogen bonding, dative bonding, and π-π stacking, as confirmed by Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MESP) and Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) analyses. This synergistic bonding mechanism alters the electronic structure, leading to a modified HOMO-LUMO gap and enhanced charge transfer. The Density of States (DOS) analysis confirms the creation of new hybrid orbital features and a reduction in electrical conductivity, which is a key property for many electronic applications. Furthermore, the calculated infrared (IR) and Raman spectra corroborate the formation of these new composite structures. These results provide fundamental insights into the tunable electronic properties of GO/BA composites, making them highly promising for applications requiring precise control over charge transport. This work lays the groundwork for the development of next-generation sensors, catalysts, and electronic devices by showing how simple molecular functionalization can unlock new functionalities in graphene-based materials.
Early versus late 2 mg/kg methylprednisolone therapy in ARDS
Abstract The fibroproliferative stage and persistent inflammation of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are key factors leading to either the resolution of the syndrome or fibrosis. Previous studies suggest that a corticosteroid therapy promotes the evolution of ARDS toward an adapted repair process whereas others suggest that this therapy increases the risk of death if it starts more than 14 days after ARDS onset. Since the efficacy and safety of delayed 2 mg/kg methylprednisolone therapy in patients with ARDS is a matter of debate, we performed this observational multicentric retrospective study. We analysed the data of 392 patients with ARDS who received 2 mg/kg methylprednisolone therapy. The primary endpoint was mortality six months after 2 mg/kg methylprednisolone therapy was started. The secondary endpoints included mortality 60 days after the corticosteroid therapy initiation and the number of ventilator-free days (VFDs) and intensive care unit (ICU)-free days. We investigated the occurrence of complications such as ventilator-acquired pneumonia (VAP), septic shock and gastrointestinal bleeding arising after the start of the protocol. A total of 189 (48.2%) patients received 2 mg/kg methylprednisolone therapy within the first 14 days of ARDS onset. A total of 203 (51.8%) patients received it more than 14 days included post-ARDS-onset. The mortality rate six months after the initiation of 2 mg/kg methylprednisolone therapy was 51.9% in the early initiation group and 52.2% in the late initiation group ( p = 0.942). The mortality rate 60 days after the initiation of 2 mg/kg methylprednisolone therapy was 47.1% in the early group and 47.3% in the late group ( p = 0.968). There was no significant difference in the number of VFDs ( p = 0.336) or ICU-free days ( p = 0.175) 60 days after the start of the 2 mg/kg protocol. Initiating the protocol 14 days after the onset of ARDS seemed to be associated with more complications ( p < 0.001). Late initiation was associated with greater occurrence of VAP ( p = 0.018) or gastrointestinal bleeding ( p = 0.012). These results suggest that an initiation of 2 mg/kg methylprednisolone therapy after 14 days from ARDS onset is not associated with an increased risk of death as compared with initiation prior to day 14. Delayed 2 mg/kg methylprednisolone therapy in patients with persistent ARDS should be considered.