Search Results (33)

DNA metabarcoding is a powerful biodiversity monitoring tool, enabling simultaneous assessments of diverse biological communities. However, its accuracy depends on the reliability of reference databases that assign taxonomic identities to obtained sequences. Here we provide a DNA barcode dataset for aquatic fauna of the Panama Canal, a region that connects the Western Atlantic and Eastern Pacific oceans. This unique setting creates opportunities for trans-oceanic dispersal while acting as a modern physical dispersal barrier for some terrestrial organisms. We sequenced 852 specimens from a diverse array of taxa (e.g., fishes, zooplankton, mollusks, arthropods, reptiles, birds, and mammals) using COI, and in some cases, 12S and 16S barcodes. These data were collected for a variety of studies, many of which have sought to understand recent changes in aquatic communities in the Panama Canal. The DNA barcodes presented here are all from captured specimens, which confirms their presence in Panama and, in many cases, inside the Panama Canal. Both native and introduced taxa are included. This dataset represents a valuable resource for environmental DNA (eDNA) work in the Panama Canal region and across the Neotropics aimed at monitoring ecosystem health, tracking non-native and potentially invasive species, and understanding the ecology and distribution of these freshwater and euryhaline taxa. Full article

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents with various symptoms, and some patients develop post-COVID-19 condition (PCC). Vitamin D has shown therapeutic potential in COVID-19 and may offer benefits for PCC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences associated with two supplementation strategies (bolus and daily) on interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and clinical outcomes in PCC patients, regardless of whether target 25 (OH) D levels reached the ideal range. We conducted a self-controlled study in which 54 participants with PCC were supplemented with vitamin D₃ (n = 28 bolus and n = 26 daily) for 2 months. Blood samples were collected to measure IL-6 levels and GPx activity using spectrophotometric methods. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess mental function. Both bolus and daily vitamin D supplementation were significantly associated with increased GPx activity and decreased IL-6 levels. Daily supplementation was additionally associated with a significant reduction in anxiety and depression scores. However, neither regimen was associated with improvements in cough, dyspnea, or fatigue. These findings suggest a potential association between vitamin D supplementation and improvements in antioxidant and neuropsychiatric parameters in PCC, possibly mediated by its immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties. Further placebo-controlled trials are warranted to determine whether these observed associations reflect causal relationships. Full article

Determining the values of various properties for new bio-inks for 3D printing is a very important task in the design of new materials. For this purpose, a large number of experimental works have been consulted, and a database with more than 1200 bioprinting tests has been created. These tests cover different combinations of conditions in terms of print pressure, temperature, and needle values, for example. These data are difficult to deal with in terms of determining combinations of conditions to optimize the tests and analyze new options. The best model demonstrated a specificity (Sp) of 88.4% and a sensitivity (Sn) of 86.2% in the training series while achieving an Sp of 85.9% and an Sn of 80.3% in the external validation series. This model utilizes operators based on perturbation theory to analyze the complexity of the data. For comparative purposes, neural networks have been used, and very similar results have been obtained. The developed tool could easily be applied to predict the properties of bioprinting assays in silico. These findings could significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of predictive models in bioprinting without resorting to trial-and-error tests, thereby saving time and funds. Ultimately, this tool may help pave the way for advances in personalized medicine and tissue engineering. Full article

A large number of studies have reported the relationships between leptin levels and diabetes or obesity. However, the results are still controversial, and no consensus has been reached. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to collect data from various databases to perform a meta-analysis and address the inconsistencies in these studies. A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO for relevant available articles. The pooled standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to estimate the association by a meta-analysis. Fifteen reports with 1,388 cases and 3,536 controls were chosen for the meta-analysis. First, an increase in leptin levels in serum (SMD 0.69; 95% CI 0.36–1.02 ng/mL) and plasma (SMD 0.46; 95% CI 0.18–0.74 ng/mL) was observed in individuals with diabetes compared to controls. This increased level was also observed by gender and population. Second, statistical analysis showed that leptin levels in serum were significantly increased in individuals with obesity (SMD 1.03; 95% CI 0.72–1.34 ng/mL). This meta-analysis analyzed leptin in individuals with diabetes or obesity and emphasized the importance of monitoring serum/plasma leptin levels in patients with these diseases. However, more comprehensive studies are necessary in order to draw firm conclusions. Full article

Background/Objectives: A favorable attitude towards suicidal behavior is associated with an increased risk of suicidal behavior in youth populations. Hence, the aim of the present study was to analyze attitudinal beliefs about suicidal behavior among Mexican medical and nursing students. We also compared attitudinal beliefs about suicidal behavior according to the religious affiliation of the participants. Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study. Attitudinal beliefs about suicidal behavior were assessed using the Attitudinal Beliefs Questionnaire about Suicide Behavior (CCCS-18). We evaluated personal and family histories of suicide using the Spanish version of the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Comparative analysis between nursing and medical students was performed, using Chi-square tests for categorical variables and Student t-tests for continuous variables. Results: A total of 195 (52.2%) medical students and 178 (47.8%) nursing students participated. Medicine students reported a higher prevalence of a family history of suicide attempts and knowing someone who had tried to die by suicide compared to nursing students (p = 0.001). Regarding attitudinal beliefs—specifically, suicide in terminal patients—medical students reported higher scores than nursing students (9.50 ± 5.91 vs. 11.23 ± 6.38, p < 0.001), while the latter exhibited higher scores in attitudinal beliefs related to suicide itself (9.55 ± 4.45 vs. 7.28 ± 4.09, p < 0.001). Both groups display similar scores when compared by religious affiliation. Conclusions: Our findings show differences in attitudinal beliefs about suicidal behavior between medical and nursing students. Medical students exhibited more positive responses toward suicide in terminal patients, while nursing students had higher values for attitudinal beliefs related to suicide itself. These results could be considered in the planning of health sciences curricula in order to positively impact future suicide prevention efforts. This study was retrospectively registered at the Universidad Juarez Autónoma de Tabasco, with the registration number 20240063 on 8 June 2024. Full article

This work is devoted to the investigation of dielectric permittivity which is influenced by electronic, ionic, and dipolar polarization mechanisms, contributing to the material’s capacity to store electrical energy. In this study, an extended dataset of 86 polymers was analyzed, and two quantitative structure–property relationship (QSPR) models were developed to predict dielectric permittivity. From an initial set of 1273 descriptors, the most relevant ones were selected using a genetic algorithm, and machine learning models were built using the Gradient Boosting Regressor (GBR). In contrast to Multiple Linear Regression (MLR)- and Partial Least Squares (PLS)-based models, the gradient boosting models excel in handling nonlinear relationships and multicollinearity, iteratively optimizing decision trees to improve accuracy without overfitting. The developed GBR models showed high R² coefficients of 0.938 and 0.822, for the training and test sets, respectively. An Accumulated Local Effect (ALE) technique was applied to assess the relationship between the selected descriptors—eight for the GB_A model and six for the GB_B model, and their impact on target property. ALE analysis revealed that descriptors such as TDB09m had a strong positive effect on permittivity, while MLOGP2 showed a negative effect. These results highlight the effectiveness of the GBR approach in predicting the dielectric properties of polymers, offering improved accuracy and interpretability. Full article

Background: Alexithymia is a trait involving difficulties in processing emotions. Genetic association studies have investigated candidate genes involved in alexithymia’s pathogenesis. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to perform a systematic review of the genetic background associated with alexithymia. Methods: A systematic review of genetic studies of people with alexithymia was conducted. Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for the study purpose. We used the words “Alexithymia”, “gene”, “genetics”, “variants”, and “biomarkers”. The present systematic review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. We found only candidate gene studies. A total of seventeen studies met the eligibility criteria, which comprised 22,361 individuals. The candidate genes associated with alexithymia were the serotoninergic pathway genes solute carrier family 6 member 4 (SLC6A4), serotonin 1A receptor (HTR1A), and serotonin 1A receptor (HTR2A); the neurotransmitter metabolism genes dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2), ankyrin repeat and kinase domain containing 1 (ANKK1), catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and oxytocin receptor (OXTR); and other pathway genes, vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP), tumor protein P53 regulated apoptosis inducing protein 1 (TP53AIP1), Rho GTPase Activating Protein 32 (ARHGAP32), and transmembrane protein 88B (TMEM88B). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that only case–control gene studies have been performed in alexithymia. On the basis of our findings, the majority of alexithymia genes and polymorphisms in this study belong to the serotoninergic pathway and neurotransmitter metabolism genes. These data suggest a role of serotoninergic neurotransmission in alexithymia. Nevertheless, more and future research is required to learn about the role of these genes in alexithymia. Full article

In this study, the physiological performance and fruit quality responses of the highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) cultivar Legacy to high temperatures (HTs) were evaluated in a field experiment. Three-year-old V. corymbosum plants were exposed to two temperature treatments between fruit load set and harvest during the 2022/2023 season: (i) ambient temperature (AT) and (ii) high temperature (HT) (5 °C ± 1 °C above ambient temperature). A chamber covered with transparent polyethylene (100 µm thick) was used to apply the HT treatment. In our study, the diurnal temperature was maintained with a difference of 5.03 °C ± 0.12 °C between the AT and HT treatments. Our findings indicated that HT significantly decreased CO₂ assimilation (P_n) by 45% and stomatal conductance (g_s) by 35.2% compared to the AT treatment. By contrast, the intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci) showed higher levels (about 6%) in HT plants than in AT plants. Fruit quality analyses revealed that the fruit weight and equatorial diameter decreased by 39% and 13%, respectively, in the HT treatment compared to the AT treatment. By contrast, the firmness and total soluble solids (TSS) were higher in the HT treatment than in the AT treatment. Meanwhile, the titratable acidity showed no changes between temperature treatments. In our study, P_n reduction could be associated with stomatal and non-stomatal limitations under HT treatment. Although these findings improve our understanding of the impact of HTs on fruit growth and quality in V. corymbosum, further biochemical and molecular studies are need. Full article

The use of aspartame (ASP) and potassium acesulfame (ACK) to reduce weight gain is growing; however, contradictory effects in body mass index control and neurobiological alterations resulting from artificial sweeteners consumption have been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the chronic consumption of ASP and ACK on mood-related behavior and the brain expression of serotonin genes in male Wistar rats. Mood-related behaviors were evaluated using the swim-forced test and defensive burying at two time points: 45 days (juvenile) and 95 days (adult) postweaning. Additionally, the mRNA expression of three serotoninergic genes (Slc6a4, Htr1a, and Htr2c) was measured in the brain areas (prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus) involved in controlling mood-related behaviors. In terms of mood-related behaviors, rats consuming ACK exhibited anxiety-like behavior only during the juvenile stage. In contrast, rats consuming ASP showed a reduction in depressive-like behavior during the juvenile stage but an increase in the adult stage. The expression of Slc6a4 mRNA increased in the hippocampus of rats consuming artificial sweeteners during the juvenile stage. In the adult stage, there was an upregulation in the relative expression of Slc6a4 and Htr1a in the hypothalamus, while Htr2c expression decreased in the hippocampus of rats consuming ASP. Chronic consumption of ASP and ACK appears to have differential effects during neurodevelopmental stages in mood-related behavior, potentially mediated by alterations in serotoninergic gene expression. Full article

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical illness with a wide variety of clinical signs ranging from visceral to cutaneous symptoms, resulting in millions of new cases and thousands of fatalities reported annually. This article provides a bibliometric analysis of the main authors’ contributions, institutions, and nations in terms of productivity, citations, and bibliographic linkages to the application of nanoparticles (NPs) for the treatment of leishmania. The study is based on a sample of 524 Scopus documents from 1991 to 2022. Utilising the Bibliometrix R-Tool version 4.0 and VOSviewer software, version 1.6.17 the analysis was developed. We identified crucial subjects associated with the application of NPs in the field of antileishmanial development (NPs and drug formulation for leishmaniasis treatment, animal models, and experiments). We selected research topics that were out of date and oversaturated. Simultaneously, we proposed developing subjects based on multiple analyses of the corpus of published scientific literature (title, abstract, and keywords). Finally, the technique used contributed to the development of a broader and more specific “big picture” of nanomedicine research in antileishmanial studies for future projects. Full article

DNA methylation in genes of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis has been associated with suicide behavior. Through a systematic review, we aimed to evaluate DNA methylation levels of the genes involved in the HPA pathway and their association with suicide behavior. A search of articles was performed using PubMed and Science Direct, EBSCO. The terms included were “DNA methylation”, “suicide”, “epigenetics”, “HPA axis” and “suicide behavior”. This systematic review was performed by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Six studies comprising 743 cases and 761 controls were included in this systematic review. The studies included individuals with suicide ideation, suicide attempts or completed suicide and childhood trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or depression. One study reported hypermethylation in GR in childhood trauma, while two studies found hypermethylation of NR3C1 in childhood trauma and major depressive disorder (MDD). Only one study reported hypermethylation in BNDF in people with MDD. FKBP5 was found to be hypermethylated in people with MDD. Another study reported hypermethylation in CRHBP. SKA2 was reported to be hypermethylated in one study and another study found hypomethylated both in populations with PTSD. CRHR1 was found to be hypermethylated in people with MDD, and the last study found hypomethylation in CRH. Our result showed that patients with suicidal behavior showed a DNA methylation state of genes of the HPA axis in association with psychiatric comorbidity and with adverse events. Genes of the HPA axis could play a role in suicidal behavior associated with adverse events and pathologies. As a result, DNA methylation levels, proteins, and genes involved in the HPA axis could be considered for the search for biomarkers for the prevention of suicidal behavior in future studies. Full article

The loss of function melanocortin 4-receptor (MC4R) Ile269Asn mutation has been proposed as one of the most important genetic contributors to obesity in the Mexican population. However, whether patients bearing this mutation respond differently to weight loss treatments is unknown. We tested the association of this mutation with obesity in 1683 Mexican adults, and compared the response of mutation carriers and non-carriers to three different weight loss interventions: dietary restriction intervention, phentermine 30 mg/day treatment, and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. The Ile269Asn mutation was associated with obesity [OR = 3.8, 95% CI (1.5–9.7), p = 0.005]. Regarding interventions, in the dietary restriction group only two patients were MC4R Ile269Asn mutation carriers. After 1 month of treatment, both mutation carriers lost weight: −4.0 kg (−2.9%) in patient 1, and −1.8 kg (−1.5%) in patient 2; similar to the mean weight loss observed in six non-carrier subjects (−2.9 kg; −2.8%). Phentermine treatment produced similar weight loss in six carriers (−12.7 kg; 15.5%) and 18 non-carriers (−11.3 kg; 13.6%) after 6 months of pharmacological treatment. RYGB also caused similar weight loss in seven carriers (29.9%) and 24 non-carriers (27.8%), 6 months after surgery. Our findings suggest that while the presence of a single MC4R loss of function Ile269Asn allele significantly increases obesity risk, the presence of at least one functional MC4R allele seems sufficient to allow short-term weight loss in response to dietary restriction, phentermine and RYGB. Thus, these three different interventions may be useful for the short-term treatment of obesity in MC4R Ile269Asn mutation carriers. Full article

Suicide attempts are an emerging health problem around the world. Increased levels of IL-6 have been associated with suicidal behavior. Therefore, the aims of this study were to evaluate the serum levels of IL-6 in individuals with suicide attempts and a comparison group and to associate the IL-6 levels with the lethality of the suicide attempt. Additionally, we associated the rs2228145 polymorphism of the IL6R gene with suicide attempts or with the IL-6 serum levels. Suicide attempts and their lethality were evaluated using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale. The serum concentrations of IL-6 were measured by the ELISA technique in individuals with suicide attempts and then compared to a control group. The rs2228145 polymorphism of the IL6R gene was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. We found elevated serum levels of IL-6 in the suicide attempt group when compared to the control group (F = 10.37, p = 0.002). However, we found no differences of the IL-6 levels between high and low lethality. The IL6R gene polymorphism rs2479409 was not associated with suicide attempts. Our data suggest that IL-6 serum is increased in individuals with suicide attempts. Full article

Injury to the central nervous system (CNS) results in permanent damage and lack of function in most vertebrate animals, due to their limited regenerative capacities. In contrast, echinoderms can fully regenerate their radial nerve cord (RNC) following transection, with little to no scarring. Investigators have associated the regenerative capacity of some organisms to the stress response and inflammation produced by the injury. Here, we explore the gene activation profile of the stressed holothurian CNS. To do this, we performed RNA sequencing on isolated RNC explants submitted to the stress of transection and enzyme dissection and compared them with explants kept in culture for 3 days following dissection. We describe stress-associated genes, including members of heat-shock families, ubiquitin-related pathways, transposons, and apoptosis that were differentially expressed. Surprisingly, the stress response does not induce apoptosis in this system. Other genes associated with stress in other animal models, such as hero proteins and those associated with the integrated stress response, were not found to be differentially expressed either. Our results provide a new viewpoint on the stress response in the nervous system of an organism with amazing regenerative capacities. This is the first step in deciphering the molecular processes that allow echinoderms to undergo fully functional CNS regeneration, and also provides a comparative view of the stress response in other organisms. Full article

Previous research has determined that the required doses for treating febrile neutropenia with vancomycin are higher than the doses used conventionally. These recommendations have been made considering pharmacotherapeutic goals based on minimum concentration (${\mathrm{C}}_{\min }$) between 15–20 $\mathrm{mg}/\mathrm{L}$. This study was developed to evaluate dose recommendations based on the achievement of a target consisting of ratio of area under the curve over minimum inhibitory concentration (${\mathrm{AUC}}_{24\mathrm{h}}/\mathrm{MIC}$) $\ge 400$ in this population of individuals. This study was conducted in a referral hospital for cancer treatment, study participants received vancomycin doses of $1\mathrm{g}$ every 12 h in 2-4-h infusions. Vancomycin was described by a two-compartment pharmacokinetic model with clearance dependent on the estimated glomerular filtration rate. Simulations were performed taking into account a reduced version of the model to establish the influence of controllable and non-controllable variables on the probability of achieving several PK-PD targets. A dose of $2.5\mathrm{g}/\mathrm{day}$ in patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate ($\mathrm{eGFR}$) between 80 and $122\mathrm{mL}/\min /1.73{\mathrm{m}}^2$ was adequate to achieve the pharmacotherapeutic target. A discrepancy was found between $\mathrm{AUC}$-based and ${\mathrm{C}}_{\min }$-based PK/PD indices, the former being affected by the dose and creatinine clearance while the latter highly influenced by the interval between doses. Full article