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In Africa, Old World Primates are involved in the maintenance of sylvatic circulation of ZIKV. However, in Brazil, the hosts for the sylvatic cycle remain unknown. We hypothesized that free-living NHPs might play a role in urban/periurban ZIKV dynamics, thus we undertook an NHP ZIKV investigation in two cities in Brazil. We identified ZIKV-positive NHPs and sequences obtained were phylogenetically related to the American lineage of ZIKV. Additionally, we inoculated four C . penicillata with ZIKV and our results demonstrated that marmosets had a sustained viremia. The natural and experimental infection of NHPs with ZIKV, support the hypothesis that NHPs may be a vertebrate host in the maintainance of ZIKV transmission/circulation in urban tropical settings. Further studies are needed to understand the role they may play in maintaining the urban cycle of the ZIKV and how they may be a conduit in establishing an enzootic transmission cycle in tropical Latin America.

A major outbreak of yellow fever (YF) occurred in Brazil during 2016-2018. Epizootics in New World nonhuman primates are sentinel events for YF virus circulation. However, genus-specific susceptibilities and suitability for YF surveillance remain poorly understood. We obtained and compared epidemiologic, histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular results from 93 human and 1,752 primate cases submitted during the recent YF outbreak in Brazil (2017), with the support of the Brazilian National YF Surveillance Program. We detected heterogeneous YF-associated profiles among the various genera of primates we analyzed. Alouatta primates were the most reliable sentinel; Sapajus and Callicebus primates had higher viral loads but lower proportional mortality rates. Callithrix primates were the least sensitive, showing lower viral loads, lower proportional mortality rates, and no demonstrable YF virus antigen or extensive lesions in liver, despite detectable viral RNA. These differences in susceptibility, viral load, and mortality rates should be considered in strategic surveillance of epizootics and control measures for YF.

São Paulo, a densely inhabited state in southeast Brazil that contains the fourth most populated city in the world, recently experienced its largest yellow fever virus (YFV) outbreak in decades. YFV does not normally circulate extensively in São Paulo, so most people were unvaccinated when the outbreak began. Surveillance in non-human primates (NHPs) is important for determining the magnitude and geographic extent of an epizootic, thereby helping to evaluate the risk of YFV spillover to humans. Data from infected NHPs can give more accurate insights into YFV spread than when using data from human cases alone. To contextualise human cases, identify epizootic foci and uncover the rate and direction of YFV spread in São Paulo, we generated and analysed virus genomic data and epizootic case data from NHPs in São Paulo. We report the occurrence of three spatiotemporally distinct phases of the outbreak in São Paulo prior to February 2018. We generated 51 new virus genomes from YFV positive cases identified in 23 different municipalities in São Paulo, mostly sampled from NHPs between October 2016 and January 2018. Although we observe substantial heterogeneity in lineage dispersal velocities between phylogenetic branches, continuous phylogeographic analyses of generated YFV genomes suggest that YFV lineages spread in São Paulo at a mean rate of approximately 1km per day during all phases of the outbreak. Viral lineages from the first epizootic phase in northern São Paulo subsequently dispersed towards the south of the state to cause the second and third epizootic phases there. This alters our understanding of how YFV was introduced into the densely populated south of São Paulo state. Our results shed light on the sylvatic transmission of YFV in highly fragmented forested regions in São Paulo state and highlight the importance of continued surveillance of zoonotic pathogens in sentinel species.

With the emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants that may increase transmissibility and/or cause escape from immune responses, there is an urgent need for the targeted surveillance of circulating lineages. It was found that the B.1.1.7 (also 501Y.V1) variant, first detected in the United Kingdom, could be serendipitously detected by the Thermo Fisher TaqPath COVID-19 PCR assay because a key deletion in these viruses, spike Δ69–70, would cause a “spike gene target failure” (SGTF) result. However, a SGTF result is not definitive for B.1.1.7, and this assay cannot detect other variants of concern (VOC) that lack spike Δ69–70, such as B.1.351 (also 501Y.V2), detected in South Africa, and P.1 (also 501Y.V3), recently detected in Brazil. We identified a deletion in the ORF1a gene (ORF1a Δ3675–3677) in all 3 variants, which has not yet been widely detected in other SARS-CoV-2 lineages. Using ORF1a Δ3675–3677 as the primary target and spike Δ69–70 to differentiate, we designed and validated an open-source PCR assay to detect SARS-CoV-2 VOC. Our assay can be rapidly deployed in laboratories around the world to enhance surveillance for the local emergence and spread of B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1.

São Paulo (SP), a densely inhabited state in southeast Brazil that contains the fourth most populated city in the world, recently experienced its largest yellow fever virus (YFV) outbreak in decades. YFV does not normally circulate extensively in SP, so most people were unvaccinated when the outbreak began. Surveillance in non-human primates (NHPs) is important for determining the magnitude and geographic extent of an epizootic, thereby helping to evaluate the risk of YFV spillover to humans. Data from infected NHPs can give more accurate insights into YFV spread than when using data from human cases alone. To contextualise human cases, identify epizootic foci and uncover the rate and direction of YFV spread in SP, we generated and analysed virus genomic data and epizootic case data from NHP in SP. We report the occurrence of three spatiotemporally distinct phases of the outbreak in SP prior to February 2018. We generated 51 new virus genomes from YFV positive cases identified in 23 different municipalities in SP, mostly sampled from non-human primates between October 2016 and January 2018. Although we observe substantial heterogeneity in lineage dispersal velocities between phylogenetic branches, continuous phylogeographic analyses of generated YFV genomes suggest that YFV lineages spread in SP state at a mean rate of approximately 1km per day during all phases of the outbreak. Viral lineages from the first epizootic phase in northern SP subsequently dispersed towards the south of the state to cause the second and third epizootic phases there. This alters our understanding of how YFV was introduced into the densely populated south of SP state. Our results shed light on the sylvatic transmission of yellow fever in highly fragmented forested regions in SP state and highlight the importance of continued surveillance of zoonotic pathogens in sentinel species. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.

ObjectivesTo update the 2009 ESUR endometrial cancer guidelines and propose strategies to standardize image acquisition, interpretation and reporting for endometrial cancer staging with MRI.MethodsThe published evidence-based data and the opinion of experts were combined using the RAND-UCLA Appropriateness Method and formed the basis for these consensus guidelines. The responses of the experts to 81 questions regarding the details of patient preparation, MR imaging protocol, image interpretation and reporting were collected, analysed and classified as “RECOMMENDED” versus “NOT RECOMMENDED” (if at least 80% consensus among experts) or uncertain (if less than 80% consensus among experts).ResultsConsensus regarding patient preparation, MR image acquisition, interpretation and reporting was determined using the RAND-UCLA Appropriateness Method. A tailored MR imaging protocol and a standardized report were recommended.ConclusionsThese consensus recommendations should be used as a guide for endometrial cancer staging with MRI.Key points• MRI is recommended for initial staging of endometrial cancer.• MR imaging protocol should be tailored based on the risk of lymph node metastases.• Myometrial invasion is best assessed using combined axial-oblique T2WI, DWI and contrast-enhanced imaging.• The mnemonic “Clinical and MRI Critical TEAM” summarizes key elements of the standardized report.

Synaptic dysfunction plays a central role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), since it drives the cognitive decline. An association between a polymorphism of the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) encoding gene—ADORA2A, and hippocampal volume in AD patients was recently described. In this study, we explore the synaptic function of A2AR in age-related conditions. We report, for the first time, a significant overexpression of A2AR in hippocampal neurons of aged humans, which is aggravated in AD patients. A similar profile of A2AR overexpression in rats was sufficient to drive age-like memory impairments in young animals and to uncover a hippocampal LTD-to-LTP shift. This was accompanied by increased NMDA receptor gating, dependent on mGluR5 and linked to enhanced Ca2+ influx. We confirmed the same plasticity shift in memory-impaired aged rats and APP/PS1 mice modeling AD, which was rescued upon A2AR blockade. This A2AR/mGluR5/NMDAR interaction might prove a suitable alternative for regulating aberrant mGluR5/NMDAR signaling in AD without disrupting their constitutive activity.

The assumption of a flat Universe that follows the cosmological principle, i.e., that the universe is statistically homogeneous and isotropic at large scales, comprises one of the core foundations of the standard cosmological model – namely, the Λ CDM paradigm. Nevertheless, it has been rarely tested in the literature. In this work, we assess the validity of this hypothesis by reconstructing the cosmic curvature with currently available observations, such as Type Ia Supernova and Cosmic Chronometers. We do so by means of null tests, given by consistency relations within the standard model scenario, using a non-parametric method – which allows us to circumvent prior assumptions on the underlying cosmology. We find no statistically significant departure from the cosmological principle and null curvature in our analysis. In addition, we show that future cosmological observations, specifically those expected from Hubble parameter measurements from redshift surveys, along with gravitational wave observations as standard sirens, will be able to significantly reduce the uncertainties of current reconstructions.

The COVID-19 pandemic constituted a public health crisis bound to impact couples, parents, and families globally. However, the literature on the impacts of COVID-19 in families is not yet integrated. This systematic review aims to (1) provide an overview of how the COVID-19 pandemic potentially changed family systems, especially the couples and parenting dynamics, as well as (2) integrate inconsistent findings, and, finally, (3) define new avenues for research and clinical practice. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined for this review. The data was collected in bibliographic databases using a combination of keywords. The study includes empirical research published in English, Spanish, Italian, or Portuguese, appearing in peer-reviewed journals, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the functioning of different-gender or same-gender couples, married or cohabitating, or cohabitating parents with children aged 2 to 18, between April 2020 and December 2023. Within 381 articles, 58 studies met the inclusion criteria, which 50 were quantitative, four qualitative, and four mixed methods studies. A qualitative thematic analysis of the reviewed articles identified 12 categories that were organized by stress sources, mediators, and outcomes. There is consistent evidence across the literature showing some sources of stress during COVID-19, such as Gender Inequalities (e.g., Unequal Division of Household Duties and Lack of Support for Mothers), and External Stress. Also, we identified some themes on the mediators such as Coping Strategies (e.g., Dyadic Support, Communication as a Mediator and Adaptation to New Daily Routines) and finally as outcomes, Lower Psychological Well-Being, and Relational Growth. However, some inconsistencies were found in Relationship (In) Satisfaction, Sexual Functioning and Communication as an Outcome. Explorations of moderators showed that these inconsistencies should be understood in reference to (1) quality assessment (2) coping and (3) income. After conducting a comprehensive analysis of inconsistencies, our study revealed no notable differences in either relationship satisfaction or sexual frequency before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, a decline in sexual satisfaction was observed during the COVID-19 period. No conclusive associations were identified between income, relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, sexual frequency, and stress related to COVID-19. Nonetheless, our observations indicated that individuals with moderate or high income, in conjunction with the implementation of effective coping strategies, exhibited a diminished impact of COVID-19-related stress on both relationship satisfaction and sexual functioning. Future studies should focus on a dyadic perspective at various stages of the family cycle, including longitudinal perspectives, as well as studies focused on the role of dyadic coping during times of crises. Findings must be considered with caution because not all studies had equal methodological rigor.

Self-reported awake bruxism (AB) has been associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). However, the daily amount of AB behavior has not been quantified in pain patients. Therefore, this study aimed to assess AB frequency in patients with myofascial pain and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and compare it to a group of pain-free individuals. Eighty-four individuals belonging to either a TMD group (n = 54) or a healthy control group (n = 30) were selected. AB frequency was obtained by ecological momentary assessment with a dedicated smartphone application that sent sound alerts at random intervals during the day for one week. Upon receiving the alert, the volunteer reported the current muscular condition and/or the teeth position, i.e., relaxed jaw muscle, jaw bracing, teeth contact, teeth clenching, or teeth grinding. Data were evaluated by independent t-test (α = 0.05). During the seven days, AB frequency was 62.1% ± 26.8% for TMD patients and 36.2% ± 27.3% for pain-free subjects (p < 0.001). Mandible bracing was most common in the TMD group (p < 0.001), while teeth contact, clenching, and grinding did not differ between groups. Moreover, no differences were found in AB frequency between myofascial pain and TMJ pain patients. Therefore, TMD patients have higher AB frequency characterized by jaw bracing, irrespective of pain location.