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To determine stillbirth ratio and its association with maternal, perinatal, and delivery characteristics, as well as geographic differences in Latin American countries (LAC). We analysed data from the Perinatal Information System of the Latin American Center for Perinatology and Human Development (CLAP) between January 2018 and June 2021 in 8 health facilities from five LAC countries (Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic). Maternal, pregnancy, and delivery characteristics, in addition to pregnancy outcomes were reported. Estimates of association were tested using chi-square tests, and P < 0.05 was regarded as significant. Bivariate analysis was conducted to estimate stillbirth risk. Prevalence ratios (PR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each predictor were reported. In total, 101,852 childbirths comprised the SIP database. For this analysis, we included 99,712 childbirths. There were 762 stillbirths during the study period; the Stillbirth ratio of 7.7/1,000 live births (ranged from 3.8 to 18.2/1,000 live births across the different maternities); 586 (76.9%) were antepartum stillbirths, 150 (19.7%) were intrapartum stillbirths and 26 (3.4%) with an ignored time of death. Stillbirth was significantly associated with women with diabetes (PRadj 2.36; 95%CI [1.25-4.46]), preeclampsia (PRadj 2.01; 95%CI [1.26-3.19]), maternal age (PRadj 1.04; 95%CI [1.02-1.05]), any medical condition (PRadj 1.48; 95%CI [1.24-1.76, and severe maternal outcome (PRadj 3.27; 95%CI [3.27-11.66]). Pregnancy complications and maternal morbidity were significantly associated with stillbirths. The stillbirth ratios varied across the maternity hospitals, which highlights the importance for individual surveillance. Specialized antenatal and intrapartum care remains a priority, particularly for women who are at a higher risk of stillbirth.

Overweight and obesity are now considered a worldwide pandemic and a growing public health problem with severe economic and social consequences. Adipose tissue is an organ with neuroimmune-endocrine functions, which participates in homeostasis. So, adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia induce a state of chronic inflammation that causes changes in the brain and induce neuroinflammation. Studies with obese animal models and obese patients have shown a relationship between diet and cognitive decline, especially working memory and learning deficiencies. Here we analyze how obesity-related peripheral inflammation can affect central nervous system physiology, generating neuroinflammation. Given that the blood-brain barrier is an interface between the periphery and the central nervous system, its altered physiology in obesity may mediate the consequences on various cognitive processes. Finally, several interventions, and the use of natural compounds and exercise to prevent the adverse effects of obesity in the brain are also discussed.

The present study highlighted the repositioning of the drug dapsone (DDS) for cancer therapy. Due to its mechanism of action, DDS has a dual effect as an antibiotic and as an anti-inflammatory/immunomodulator; however, at high doses, it has important adverse effects. The derivative DDS-13 [N,N'-(sulfonyl bis (4,1-phenylene)) dioctanamide] was synthesized through an N-acylation reaction to compare it with DDS. Its cytotoxic effects in cancer cells (DU145 and HeLa) and non-cancer cells (HDFa) were observed at concentrations ranging 0.01-100 µM and its physicochemical/pharmacokinetic properties were analyzed using the SwissADME tool. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the anticancer activity of both DDS and DDS-13 and to identify the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of DDS-13. The results showed that DDS-13 presented a cytotoxic effect in the DU145 cell line (IC50=19.06 µM), while DDS showed a cytotoxic effect on both the DU145 (IC50=11.11 µM) and HeLa (IC50=13.07 µM) cell lines. DDS-13 appears to be a good cytotoxic candidate for the treatment of prostate cancer, while DDS appears to be a good candidate for both cervical and prostate cancer. Neither candidate showed a cytotoxic effect in non-cancerous cells. The different pharmacokinetic properties of DDS-13 make it a new candidate for evaluation in preclinical models for the treatment of cancer.

The rhodophyte Gracilaria chilensis is a structuring species of the estuarine and fjord systems in southern Chile and is commercially exploited from natural and farmed populations. Due to its capacity to tolerate extreme variations in environmental conditions, this species is an excellent model organism to examine stress tolerance mechanisms. The present study examined the combined effect of temperature and UV radiation on the reproductive phases of G. chilensis (carposporophyte, tetrasporophyte, and vegetative) at the lower and upper intertidals of the Valdivia River estuary. The concentration of phenolic compounds and their antioxidant capacity as well as the inhibition of primary photochemical reactions, measured as the fluorescence of photosystem II, was determined. The kinetics of the maximal quantum yield (Fv/Fm) between 5 and 50 °C indicated a rapid decrease of photosynthesis from 35 °C upwards in the three reproductive phases. Exposures for 1, 6, 24, and 48 h to photosythetically active radiation (PAR) and PAR + UV at 5, 25, and 35 °C affected photosynthesis in the three reproductive phases, especially at the elevated temperature of 35 °C where the maximum cumulative decreases of Fv/Fm were close to 93 and 98% in tetrasporophytes and carposporophytes. An important finding was the high content of phenols, which increased with increasing UV doses only at 10 °C, especially in carposporophytic and vegetative thalli. The antioxidant activity increased at 10 and 25 °C in algae exposed to UV radiation, while at low (5 °C) and elevated (35 °C) temperatures, it resulted in the inhibition of antioxidant activity. Overall, phenols were positively correlated with the antioxidant activity and Fv/Fm, especially in tetrasporophytes. The study revealed that the different life history phases of G. chilensis showed similar stress tolerance mechanisms, which appeared to be triggered strongly by temperature and less by UV radiation.

Virtual reality (VR) devices are increasingly used in health care settings. The use among patients has the potential to unintentionally transmit pathogens between patients and hospital staff. No standard operating procedure for disinfection exists to ensure safe use between patients. This study aims to determine the efficacy of disinfectants on VR devices in order to ensure safe use in health care settings. Three types of bacteria were inoculated onto porous and nonporous surfaces of 2 VR devices: the Meta Oculus Quest and Meta Oculus Quest 2. Disinfection was performed using either isopropyl alcohol or alcohol-free quaternary ammonium wipes. A quantitative culture was used to assess the adequacy of disinfection. A survey was separately sent out to VR device technicians at other pediatric health care institutes to compare the methods of disinfection and how they were established. Both products achieved adequate disinfection of the treated surfaces; however, a greater log-kill was achieved on nonporous surfaces than on the porous surfaces. Alcohol performed better than quaternary ammonium on porous surfaces. The survey respondents reported a wide variability in disinfection processes with only 1 person reporting an established standard operating procedure. Disinfection can be achieved through the use of either isopropyl alcohol or quaternary ammonium products. Porous surfaces showed lesser log-kill rates than the nonporous surfaces, indicating that the use of an added barrier may be of benefit and should be a point of future research. Given the variability in the disinfection process across health care systems, a standard operating procedure is proposed.

Biological control by beneficial microorganisms is known to significantly reduce the effect of pests on crops yield. Among the biocontrol strategies is the use of entomopathogenic fungi such as Hirsutella citriformis, which has been applied to infect and kill hemipteran insect pests, including Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) and Bactericera cockerelli Sulc. (Hemiptera: Triozidae). These biological agents are applied in the form of conidia that are often combined with other inert materials to facilitate application, protect conidia, and improve their shelf life. The aim of this study was to implement strategies for developing formulations to increase conidia shelf life. We evaluated gum produced from one strain and conidia from two different H. citriformis strains. Conidia were formulated by evaluating different concentrations of Acacia and Hirsutella gums to enhance conidia viability during storage at 4 °C or 25 °C. Results indicated that formulations maintained conidia viability for at least 90 d after storage at 25 °C (≥70% viability) and at least 120 d after storage at 4 °C, which was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than that of the control, without observing changes in pH values. We also demonstrated 100% formulation purity from days 0 to 120, among all treatments. In conclusion, evaluated formulations maintained H. citriformis conidia viability for at least three months, when stored at 4 °C.

This systematic review examines the relationship between specific language impairment (SLI) and executive functions (EFs) in school-age children. The study investigates the impact of SLI on EF in comparison to children who develop normally. A total of 2,658 articles from three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Virtual Health Library) were assessed for inclusion. Ultimately, 22 articles were selected for analysis, which contained information on both SLI and EF. The findings indicate that children diagnosed with SLI exhibit deficits, low performance, and, in some cases, significant deterioration in the development of EF when compared to typically developing children in 62%-91% of cases as early as three to four years of age; the most commonly found alterations were in working memory (including phonological, auditory, and visual/verbal memory), followed by deficits in attention, processing speed, inhibition, planning, cognitive flexibility, and internalized speech. We also discuss the close relationship and importance between language and EF in SLI children.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the main form of head and neck cancer. Gap junctions (GJs) are communication channels involved in cell proliferation control; they consist of hemichannels formed by connexin (Cx) proteins. The abnormal expression/function of Cx43 has been associated with tumor progression. Also, some human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been linked to squamous cell cancer. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing Cx43 as a potential OSCC biomarker and exploring its association with histopathological differentiation and HPV infection. OSCC samples were inspected using hematoxylin and eosin staining, and Cx43 expression and HPV 16/18 were tested by immunofluorescence. Pearson correlation tests, ANOVA, and Kaplan–Meier curves were used in the analysis. Samples from 39 patients with OSCC were studied. Most had well-differentiated histology and 61.5% were HPV+. Cx43 expression was significantly associated with HPV infection (p = 0.047), differentiation (p < 0.001), and survival (p = 0.009), and HPV positivity was also associated with the degree of differentiation (p = 0.012). Cx43 shows potential as a prognostic biomarker for OSCC. Lower Cx43 expression, correlated with poorer differentiation, is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. Further studies are needed to confirm its clinical utility.

Considering an integrated approach to assess all of the measured pollutants in a diurnal, monthly, seasonal, and annual time scales and understanding the mechanisms hidden under low air quality conditions are essential for tackling potential air pollution issues. Konya, located in central Anatolia, is the largest province of Turkey with a surface area of 40,838 km2 and has different industrial activities. The lack of recent detailed studies limits our information on the underlying air pollution levels in Konya and obscuring policymakers to develop applicable mitigation measures. In this study, we used hourly monitored air quality data of CO, NO2, NOx, PM10, PM2.5, and SO2 from five stations in Konya and investigated the temporal and spatial variabilities for the 2008–2018 period via statistical analysis. Upon analysis, particulate matter was found to be the dominant pollutant deteriorating the air quality of Konya. The highest 2008–2018 periodic mean value of PM10 was found in Karatay Belediye as 70.5 µg/m3, followed by 67.4 µg/m3 in Meram, 58.7 µg/m3 in Selçuklu, and 43.7 µg/m3 in Selçuklu Belediye. The 24-h limit value of PM10 given as 50 µg/m3 in the legislation was violated in all of the stations, mainly during winter and autumn. High positive correlations were found among the stations, and the highest correlation was obtained between Selçuklu Belediye and Karatay Belediye with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.77. Long-term data showed a decreasing trend in PM10 concentrations. Diurnal variability is found to be more pronounced than weekly variability. For almost all of the pollutants, except for photochemical pollutants like O3, a prominent result was the nighttime and morning rush hours high-pollutant levels. A case study done for the January 29, 2018 to February 05, 2018 episode showed the importance of meteorology and topography on the high levels of pollution. Limitation of the pollutant transport and dilution by meteorological conditions and the location of Konya on a plain surrounded by high hills are believed to be the main reasons for having low air quality in the region.

Hirsutella citriformis Speare is the only entomopathogenic fungus that has been applied to control the hemipteran Diaphorina citri Kuwayama. However, the use of available commercial products under field conditions is limited due to conidia’s shelf life and short environmental persistence. We have previously reported the citrus psyllid D. citri adults’ biocontrol potential using H. citriformis strains. The aim of the present study was to evaluate different formulations based on H. citriformis (OP-Hir-3, OP-Hir-10, and OP-Hir-12 strains) conidia and gums as additives to improve D. citri adults’ biocontrol, under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions, using Hirsutella gums as conidia stabilizers to improve their viability under environmental drought conditions and as insecticide. Laboratory bioassay results showed that the highest (p < 0.05) D. citri mortality was achieved using FOP-Hir-10GH (63.5%), followed by the Hirsutella gum control (42.2%). Under greenhouse conditions, adults’ mortality reached up to 84.6% with FOP-Hir-12 and 49.0% with Hirsutella gum. In addition, we applied H. citriformis formulations under field conditions in a commercial citrus grove located in Tecomán, Colima, México, at 21.5 °C and 73.3% relative humidity (RH) in March and 25.7 °C and 72.5% RH in October 2022 and observed 67.3% and 94.0% mortality of D. citri adults, respectively. Hirsutella gum alone showed significant insecticidal activity against D. citri adults. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that Hirsutella gum functioned as additive to H. citriformis conidia formulations, improving D. citri adults’ mortality and showing potential for this pest biocontrol in citrus orchards.