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The incidence of opportunistic yeast infections in humans has been increasing over recent years. These infections are difficult to treat and diagnose, in part due to the large number and broad diversity of species that can underlie the infection. In addition, resistance to one or several antifungal drugs in infecting strains is increasingly being reported, severely limiting therapeutic options and showcasing the need for rapid detection of the infecting agent and its drug susceptibility profile. Current methods for species and resistance identification lack satisfactory sensitivity and specificity, and often require prior culturing of the infecting agent, which delays diagnosis. Recently developed high-throughput technologies such as next generation sequencing or proteomics are opening completely new avenues for more sensitive, accurate and fast diagnosis of yeast pathogens. These approaches are the focus of intensive research, but translation into the clinics requires overcoming important challenges. In this review, we provide an overview of existing and recently emerged approaches that can be used in the identification of yeast pathogens and their drug resistance profiles. Throughout the text we highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each methodology and discuss the most promising developments in their path from bench to bedside.

Insect populations are increasingly exposed to concurrent climate warming and agrochemical contamination, yet how these stressors interact to influence reproductive performance remains poorly understood. Because fertility can constrain population growth before survival declines, understanding how environmental stress affects reproduction is essential for predicting demographic responses. Here, we investigated how elevated temperatures and sublethal imidacloprid exposure during development and early-life interact with the insecticide resistance locus Cyp6g1 to influence male reproductive performance in Drosophila melanogaster. Males were reared from embryo to adulthood under factorial combinations of temperature and insecticide exposure, and mating behaviour and fertilisation success were subsequently quantified under benign assay conditions. Early-life heat reduced fertilisation success in a genotype-dependent manner, with a pronounced collapse observed in insecticide-susceptible males. Sublethal insecticide exposure modified this thermal response, restoring fertilisation success in susceptible males and producing non-additive interactions between thermal and agrochemical stress. In contrast, although mating frequency varied across treatments, it did not show the pronounced decline observed in fertilisation success, indicating that behavioural engagement does not necessarily predict functional reproductive output. These results suggest that environmental stress experienced during early-life can reshape reproductive performance, potentially through genotype-dependent shifts in physiological investment. Considering developmental stress history and genetic variation will therefore be important for predicting insect population responses to climate warming and environmental contamination.

The prediction of cell-lines sensitivity to a given set of compounds is a very important factor in the optimization of in-vitro assays. To date, the most common prediction strategies are based upon machine learning or other quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) based approaches. In the present research, we propose and discuss a straightforward strategy not based on any learning modelling but exclusively relying upon the chemical similarity of a query compound to reference compounds with annotated activity against cell lines. We also compare the performance of the proposed method to machine learning predictions on the same problem. A curated database of compounds-cell lines associations derived from ChemBL version 22 was created for algorithm construction and cross-validation. Validation was done using 10-fold cross-validation and testing the models on new data obtained from ChemBL version 25. In terms of accuracy, both methods perform similarly with values around 0.65 across 750 cell lines in 10-fold cross-validation experiments. By combining both methods it is possible to achieve 66% of correct classification rate in more than 26000 newly reported interactions comprising 11000 new compounds. A Web Service implementing the described approaches (both similarity and machine learning based models) is freely available at: http://bioquimio.udla.edu.ec/cellfishing.

Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative supervised exercise programme to mitigate the loss of lean body mass, functional capacity and quality of life in people with head and neck cancer, as well as to identify the optimal moment to apply it, before or after radiotherapy treatment, compared with the prescription of a physical activity plan carried out autonomously. Methods Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck ( n  = 144), treated with radiotherapy, will be randomly assigned to one of 3 comparison groups: pre-radiotherapy supervised exercise, post-radiotherapy supervised exercise and autonomous exercise, stratifying by human papillomavirus infection and previous surgery. The exercise programme will be carried out in 36 sessions over 12 weeks, combining moderate and high intensity strength and aerobic exercises. The main outcome variable is the change in lean body mass at 6 months measured by bioimpedance, while secondary variables are functional capacity, symptoms, quality of life and adverse effects. Longitudinal generalised mixed models will be used for the analyses of the repeated measurements at 3, 6, and 12 months after baseline. Conclusions The pilot study supports the feasibility and safety of the project. However, as the programme progressed, attendance at the sessions decreased. Strategies will be necessary for increasing attendance, as well as involving the patient in their recovery and other incentives. Follow-up after treatment to assess acute/late toxicity will enable us to know the response to both the exercise programme and its adherence. Trial registration NCT04658706 Date and version identifier: March 1, 2023. Version 1.1

Background: The measurement of physical performance constitutes an indicator of the physical functional capacity of older adults with and without frailty. Aim: To present a synthesis of knowledge on the effect of exercise programs on physical performance in older adults with and without frailty in the community. Method: A systematic review was carried out in accordance with the PRISMA-2020 criteria. The search for articles was made until 4 May 2023 in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, SciELO and LILACS. The outcome variable was physical performance, measured through the SPPB (Short Physical Performance Battery). The mean difference (MD) was estimated to evaluate the effect. Result: We found 2483 studies, of which 12 met the eligibility criteria for the systematic review and 9 for the meta-analysis. The effect of exercise on SPPB scores was significantly higher in the exercise group compared to control in non-frail older adults with MD = 0.51 [95% CI, 0.05 to 0.96, p < 0.05]. Likewise, in older adults with frailty, the effect of exercise on the global SPPB score was significantly higher in the exercise group compared to the control with MD = 0.66 [95% CI, 0.09 to 1.24, p < 0.05]. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that exercise programs are effective in increasing and/or maintaining physical performance in older adults with and without frailty, whose effect is more evident in older adults with frailty, probably due to the greater margin of recovery of intrinsic capacity. This systematic review shows the differentiated effect of exercise training on physical performance in older adults with and without frailty. Scientific evidence reinforces the importance of implementing physical exercise programs in all older adults, including those who are frail. However, it is necessary to specify the types and doses (duration, frequency and intensity), for individualized groups, previously grouped according to the SPPB score.

Background Menopause is the onset of aging in women. During this process, some women experience physical changes that may impact upon their psychological and social status, also affecting their quality of life. Furthermore, several psychological changes following menopause have been shown to act as pro-oxidant, but the association between the psychological status that modify the quality of life and oxidative stress in postmenopausal women is still unclear. The aim of this study was to determinate the relationship between oxidative stress with psychological disturbances, low self-esteem, depressive mood and anxiety, and quality of life in the postmenopausal women. Methods We carried out a cross-sectional study with101 premenopausal and 101 postmenopausal women from Mexico City. As markers of oxidative stress we measured plasma lipoperoxide levels, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and total antioxidant status. We calculate a stress score as global oxidative stress status, with cut-off values for each parameter; this score range from 0 to 6, representing the severity of markers modifications. All the women were rated using the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scales, and the WHO Quality of Life-brief. Results The postmenopausal women with low quality of life in the WHO Quality of Life-brief and their subscales had higher stress score compared with premenopausal women with high quality of life ( p  < 0.05). We found a positive correlation among lipoperoxide levels and Zung Self-Rating Anxiety and Zung Self-Rating Depression score ( r  = 0.226 and r  = 0.173, respectively, p  < 0.05), and a negative correlation with WHO Quality of Life-brief scores ( r  = −0.266, p  < 0.01) in postmenopausal women. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that average lipoperoxide levels increase by 0.0007 μmol/L for every 1-point increase in the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory and by 0.001 μmol/L for every 1-point decrease in the WHO Quality of Life-brief, after adjusted for pro-oxidant factors. Zung Self-Rating Anxiety and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scales scores also contribute to increase lipoperoxides levels, but not significant. Conclusion Our findings suggest that oxidative stress is increased in postmenopausal women with psychological disturbances and low quality of life.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oral hormone therapy (HT) on oxidative stress (OS) in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome (MetS). A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial was carried out. We formed four groups of 25 women each; healthy (HW) and MetS women (MSW) were assigned to HT (1 mg/day of estradiol valerate plus 5 mg/10 day of medroxiprogesterone) or placebo. We measured plasma lipoperoxides, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, total plasma antioxidant status and uric acid, as OS markers. Alternative cut-off values of each parameter were defined and a stress score (SS) ranging from 0 to 7 was used as total OS. MetS was defined according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII) criteria. Participants were seen at baseline, 3 and 6 months. After 6 months, MetS decreased in MSW-HT (48%), their triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) improved; in the other groups no difference was found. SS in MSW-HT decreased (3.8 ± 0.3 to 1.7 ± 0.3, p < 0.05) and OS was also reduced (44%), this effect was evident since 3 mo. HW-HT with high OS also decreased (40%). In placebo groups there was no change. Our findings suggest that HT improve lipids and OS associated to MetS in postmenopausal women.

Sepsis and septic shock are major complications of febrile neutropenia (FN) in pediatric patients with cancer (PPCs). The aim of the present study was to determine the association of vitamin D (VD) and cathelicidin levels with sepsis and septic shock in PPCs with FN. A prospective cohort of PPCs with FN who had previously received cytotoxic chemotherapy was analyzed. At baseline, the plasma levels of VD and cathelicidin were quantified. Patients with sepsis and septic shock were compared with patients with FN without complications. Relative risks (RRs) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) to determine associations. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to adjust the results for the identified confounders. A total of 78 episodes of FN were included; 35 (44.8%) completed their FN treatment without complications, 19 (24.4%) presented with sepsis and 24 (30.8%) progressed to septic shock. The median plasma VD level was 15.2 ng/ml, while the median plasma cathelicidin level was 27.9 ng/ml. Patients with severe VD deficiency (RR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.17-4.70) and patients with cathelicidin levels >41.5 ng/ml (RR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.07-5.56) exhibited a higher risk of developing sepsis compared with the control group. Patients with severe VD deficiency had a higher risk of septic shock (RR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.02-3.79) compared with patients without complications, while cathelicidin levels were not associated with septic shock. After adjusting for confounders, cathelicidin levels >41.5 ng/ml (odds ratio, 5.52; 95% CI, 1.17-26.06) remained as an independent risk factor for progressing to sepsis. In patients who developed septic shock, the multivariate model revealed <700 leukocytes/mm3 and glucose levels >100 mg/dl as independent risk factors. In conclusion, higher plasma cathelicidin levels were independently associated with progression to sepsis in PPCs with FN.

Even though the concept of residual feed intake (RFI) is well accepted, several questions remain regarding other traits that may be associated with selection for decreased RFI. These include DM digestibility, carcass composition, profitability, and performance. The objective of this study was to investigate the difference in those traits between low- and high-RFI cattle. Sixty Angus x Hereford crossbred steers (296 kg of initial BW) were fed a corn-based finishing ration (1.68 Mcal of NEm/kg, 13% CP on a DM basis) during 2 periods of 60 d each. For both phases, the regression equation fitted without the intercept (not statistically significant) was DMI (kg/d) = 0.0701 x BW⁰.⁷⁵ + 2.714 x ADG, r² = 0.42. The 15 greatest and least RFI steers were classed as high and low RFI groups. There were no differences between low and high RFI groups for days on feed (162 vs. 168 d), slaughter weight (503 vs. 511 kg), HCW (317 vs. 315 kg), LM area (76.5 vs. 77.1 cm²), backfat (1.23 vs. 1.27 cm), KPH (3.1 vs. 3.7%), quality grade (average Choice for both groups), or carcass fat (32.4 vs. 33.1%). Visceral organ masses and abdominal fat were similar for low and high RFI groups (32.25 vs. 31.24 kg and 37.48 vs. 36.95 kg, respectively). These results do not support the existence of major differences in composition and organ mass between low and high RFI steers at slaughter. The RFI grouping had a significant effect on DMI, G:F, and RFI values. Stepwise regression showed that G:F alone or DMI and ADG together explained 98.5% of the variance in cost of BW gain, whereas RFI alone explained only 18%. We conclude that RFI is less useful than G:F as an indicator of feedlot efficiency and profitability.

Tailgut cysts are rare benign retrorectal cysts arising from persistent remnants of an embryonic hindgut. Malignant transformation inside this lesion is very uncommon and occurrence of neuroendocrine tumours in this context is extremely rare. We report the case of a 56-year-old woman who underwent surgical excision of a presacral tailgut cyst, which was found incidentally to include a neuroendocrine tumour.