Objectives/Goals: Our research addresses critical gaps by examining the prevalence, blood concentrations, and health implications of xylazine abuse, with a focus on its cardiotoxic effects. We aim to map the geographic distribution of xylazine use across Puerto Rico and characterize its impact on cardiomyocytes at relevant exposure levels. Methods/Study Population: To accurately detect and quantify xylazine in blood samples, we will employ chromatographic techniques coupled with mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS or GC/MS). The xylazine prevalence across the island will be mapped based on health system classifications. Samples will be categorized according to the eight healthcare regions of Puerto Rico, as defined by the “Administración de Seguros de Salud” (ASES), ensuring comprehensive geographic representation. We will investigate the expression profiles of proteins associated with cardiac injury and dysfunction in human cardiomyocytes and in the blood of drug users. Blood samples will be provided by “Iniciativa Comunitaria.” We will assess the xylazine effects on human cardiomyocyte viability and identify key biomarkers of cardiotoxicity induced by xylazine exposure. Results/Anticipated Results: In previous research, we demonstrated that xylazine induces cell death in endothelial cells through both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways. We also observed an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels after drug exposure, indicating oxidative stress as a potential mechanism of toxicity. Additionally, DNA damage was detected. Given the known relationship between endothelial damage and cardiomyocyte dysfunction in drug-induced cardiotoxicity, we hypothesize that xylazine concentrations vary regionally within Puerto Rico and that chronic xylazine abuse will elevate markers of cardiac injury and dysfunction at common user doses. Discussion/Significance of Impact: The increasing xylazine abuse, particularly in Puerto Rico, represents a critical public health challenge. Our study will fill a knowledge gap by providing crucial data on xylazine’s cardiotoxicity and mapping its geographic prevalence, with the potential to advise healthcare approaches and improve care for drug-using Hispanic populations.

The interest in the search for alternatives to antibiotics in poultry production has been increasing, especially with the focus on essential oils due to their remarkable bioactive properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of essential oils on the performance and gut morphometry of broilers, by using an approach of systematic review and meta-analysis. In the conduction of the systematic review, three electronic databases (PubMed, Science Direct and Scielo) were consulted in January 2023. Out of an initial amount of 162 papers, only 27 met the requisites to be included in the database. Furthermore, after the use of established criteria for the meta-analysis, only 16 papers were qualified for the evaluation of the aimed parameters. In the meta-analysis, it was observed that the supplementation had significant impact (P < 0.05) of 2.88% in weight gain, in comparison to the basal diet. In addition, the supplementation of essential oils significantly improved (P < 0.05) gut morphometry parameters such as villus height in the ileum (15.66% higher), and 8.26% increase in the villus height to crypt depth ratio in jejunum compared to the basal diet. Dietary essential oils improve the growth performance and gut histomorphometry of broilers, even when combined with antibiotics as growth promoters.

Los últimos trabajos de sondeo llevados a cabo en la zona de reservas de la cultura Chinchorro en el Morro de Arica (Desierto de Atacama, costa centro-sur andina), han permitido fechar y analizar estratigráficamente los depósitos domésticos asociados espacialmente a las conocidas áreas de funebria Chinchorro de los sitios arqueológicos Morro 1, Morro 1/6, Morro 1/5 y Colón 10. El rango de fechas 14C precerámicas obtenidas en este sondeo (7090-3715 cal aP), en comparación al rango de fechas 14C de funebria (6453-3687 cal aP) registradas en estudios anteriores, permite hipotetizar para los espacios domésticos de este sector del Morro de Arica, un probable momento ocupacional previo al desarrollo de la momificación entre la población humana. El análisis crono-estratigráfico llevado a cabo sugiere un proceso de formación de sitios marcado por dos momentos de actividad fúnebre en asociación con la actividad doméstica vecina. Esta última se inicia más tempranamente, y todos los depósitos se encuentran intensamente intervenidos durante momentos alfareros, intermedio tardíos y tiempos recientes.

Clays are abundant materials in the Amazon region and have been used historically by ancient Amazonian people to produce ceramic and cosmetics products. The current study aimed to evaluate the potential of four clays from the metropolitan area of Manaus, each with a different color, for cosmetics applications. Two clays were collected in the Ponta Negra region (red and gray in color) in Manaus, one in Careiro (white), and one in Itacoatiara (black). After drying in an oven for 24 h at 105°C, the four clays were characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle-size analysis, and detection of microorganisms. The amounts of Al, Si, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Fe, Zn, P, and S in all samples were below the limits for use in cosmetics. The main phases identified were kaolinite 1A, quartz, gibbsite, and the rare kaolinite 2M. Approximately 40 wt.% of each sample was in the < 20 μm particle-size range. Analyses by SEM revealed pseudo-hexagonal kaolinite structures with nano-islands and nanocrystallites. The low toxicity, mineralogic compositions, and particle-size findings suggest that Amazonian clays are promising for cosmetics applications.

The deleterious effects of adversity are likely intergenerational, such that one generation’s adverse experiences can affect the next. Epidemiological studies link maternal adversity to offspring depression and anxiety, possibly via transmission mechanisms that influence offspring fronto-limbic connectivity. However, studies have not thoroughly disassociated postnatal exposure effects nor considered the role of offspring sex. We utilized infant neuroimaging to test the hypothesis that maternal childhood maltreatment (CM) would be associated with increased fronto-limbic connectivity in infancy and tested brain-behavior associations in childhood. Ninety-two dyads participated (32 mothers with CM, 60 without; 52 infant females, 40 infant males). Women reported on their experiences of CM and non-sedated sleeping infants underwent MRIs at 2.44 ± 2.74 weeks. Brain volumes were estimated via structural MRI and white matter structural connectivity (fiber counts) via diffusion MRI with probabilistic tractography. A subset of parents (n = 36) reported on children’s behaviors at age 5.17 ± 1.73 years. Males in the maltreatment group demonstrated greater intra-hemispheric fronto-limbic connectivity (b = 0.96, p= 0.008, [95%CI 0.25, 1.66]), no differences emerged for females. Fronto-limbic connectivity was related to somatic complaints in childhood only for males (r = 0.673, p = 0.006). Our findings suggest that CM could have intergenerational associations to offspring brain development, yet mechanistic studies are needed.

Beginning in 2018, a quality improvement collaborative initiative in Brazil successfully reduced the baseline incidence density of healthcare-associated infections in intensive care settings after 2 years. We describe the adaptations of the quality improvement interventions as the COVID-19 pandemic emerged and how the pandemic affected the project outcomes.

Preeclampsia (PE) affects up to five times more women with pre-existing diabetes mellitus (PDM) than women without it. The present study aimed to identify the effect of the DASH diet on PE incidence (primary outcome) and blood pressure, glycated haemoglobin (GH), serum lipids, glutathione peroxidase (GP), C-reactive protein (CRP – secondary outcomes) in pregnant with PDM. This randomised, controlled, single-blind trial studied sixty-eight pregnant women with PDM throughout prenatal care until delivery (18 weeks) at a public maternity hospital, Brazil. The standard diet group (SDG) received a diet containing 45–65 % carbohydrates, 15–20 % protein and 25–30 % lipids. The DASH diet group (DDG) received the adapted DASH diet with a similar macronutrient distribution, but with a higher concentration of fibres, unsaturated fats, calcium, magnesium and potassium as well as lower saturated fat. Student's t, Mann–Whitney U and the Chi-square tests were used to compare outcomes. PE incidence was 22⋅9 % in the SDG and 12⋅1 % in the DDG (P = 0⋅25). GP levels significantly increased in the DDG (intra-group analysis; mean difference = 1588 [CI 181, 2994], P = 0⋅03) and tended to be different from the variation in the SDG (mean difference = −29⋅5 [CI −1305; 1⋅365]; v. DDG: 1588 [CI 181; 2994], P = 0⋅09). GH levels decreased significantly and similarly between groups (SDG: −0⋅61 [CI −0⋅26, −0⋅96], P = 0⋅00) v. DDG: −1⋅1 [CI −0⋅57, −1⋅62], P = 0⋅00). There was no evidence of a difference in PE incidence at the end of the intervention between the two diets. The DASH diet seems to favour PE-related biochemical markers.

Depression and obesity are highly prevalent and are considered inflammatory pathologies; in addition, they are also associated with dietary patterns including types of fatty acids (FA). Changes in the FA composition in the brain are determined by changes in the content and quality of dietary and serum FA. The aim of this study was to verify the relationships between serum-free FA, inflammatory processes and depressive symptoms in obese adolescents. This was a cross-sectional study that analysed a database composed of 138 post-pubertal adolescents. Data regarding the depressive symptoms, body composition, glucose metabolism, lipid profile, FA profile, leptin concentration, as well as adiponectin, IL-A, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, C-reactive protein and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels of the subjects were collected. A total of 54·6 % of the adolescents presented with depressive symptoms, and there were positive correlations between depressive symptoms and serum saturated fatty acids (SFA) content, body fat, and inflammatory adipokines, such as leptin, IL-6, and the leptin/adiponectin ratio. Moreover, the content of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was negatively correlated with depressive symptoms, suggesting that eicosatrienoic acid (C20:2n6) and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (C20:3n-6) are independently associated with depressive symptom scores and can be critical predictors of poor mental health in humans. These results point to the relationship between SFA and depressive symptoms in obese adolescents. However, longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the causality between dietary SFA and depression in obese individuals.

This work aimed to evaluate the in vitro anthelmintic effect of carvone nanoemulsions on Haemonchus contortus. Three R-carvone nanoemulsions were prepared: uncoated R-carvone nanoemulsions homogenized in a sonicator (UNAlg-son) and homogenized in an ultrahomogenizer (UNAlg-ultra) and sodium alginate-coated R-carvone (CNAlg-ultra). The physicochemical characterizations of the nanoemulsions were carried out. The anthelmintic activity was evaluated using egg hatch test (EHT), larval development test (LDT) and adult worm motility test (AWMT). Changes in cuticle induced in adult H. contortus were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results were subjected to analysis of variance and compared using the Tukey test (P < 0.05). The effective concentration to inhibit 50% (EC50) of egg hatching and larval development was calculated. The particle sizes were 281.1 nm (UNAlg-son), 152.7 nm (UNAlg-ultra) and 557.8 nm (CNAlg-ultra), and the zeta potentials were −15 mV (UNAlg-son), −10.8 mV (UNAlg-ultra) and −24.2 mV (CNAlg-ultra). The encapsulation efficiency was 99.84 ± 0.01%. SEM of the nanoemulsions showed an increase in size. In EHT, the EC50 values of UNAlg-son, UNAlg-ultra and CNAlg-ultra were 0.19, 0.02 and 0.17 mg mL−1, respectively. In LDT, they were 0.29, 0.31 and 0.95 mg mL−1 for UNAlg-son, UNAlg-ultra and CNAlg-ultra, respectively. The adult motility inhibition was 100% after 12 h of exposure to UNAlg-ultra and CNAlg-ultra, while for UNAlg-son, it was 79.16%. SEM showed changes in the buccal capsule and cuticular damage. It was concluded that R-carvone nanoemulsions showed antiparasitic action demonstrating promise for the control of infections caused by gastrointestinal nematodes in small ruminants.

From a systematic review framework, we assessed the preclinical evidence on the effectiveness of drug combinations for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) treatment. Research protocol was based on the PRISMA guideline. Research records were identified from Medline, Scopus and Web of Science. Animal models, infection and treatment protocols, parasitological and immunological outcomes were analysed. The SYRCLE's (SYstematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experimentation) toll was used to evaluate the risk of bias in all studies reviewed. Fourteen papers using mice, hamster and dogs were identified. Leishmania donovani was frequently used to induce VL, which was treated with 23 drugs in 40 different combinations. Most combinations allowed to reduce the effective dose, cost and time of treatment, in addition to improving the parasitological control of Leishmania spp. The benefits achieved from drug combinations were associated with an increased drug's half-life, direct parasitic toxicity and improved immune defences in infected hosts. Selection, performance and detection bias were the main limitations identified. Current evidence indicates that combination chemotherapy, especially those based on classical drugs (miltefosine, amphotericin B antimony-based compounds) and new drugs (CAL-101, PAM3Cys, tufisin and DB766), develops additive or synergistic interactions, which trigger trypanocidal and immunomodulatory effects associated with reduced parasite load, organ damage and better cure rates in VL.

Herbicide-resistant weed management is one of the greatest agricultural challenges in crop production. Thus, the quick identification of herbicide-resistant weeds is extremely important for management. This study aimed to evaluate resistance to PSI-inhibiting herbicides (diquat) and physiological response to paraquat application in Sumatran fleabane [Conyza sumatrensis (Retz.) E. Walker; syn.: Erigeron sumatrensis Retz.]. The research was conducted with two C. sumatrensis biotypes, one susceptible and the other with multiple resistance to herbicides from five different modes of action (glyphosate, paraquat, diuron, saflufenacil, and 2,4-D). A dose–response assay was carried out to evaluate herbicide resistance to diquat in the paraquat-resistant C. sumatrensis biotype. The enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, and chlorophyll a (Chl a) fluorescence were measured in both biotypes after paraquat (400 g ai ha−1) application. The dose–response assay confirmed resistance of C. sumatrensis to diquat with resistance factor levels of 26-fold and 6-fold for LD50 and GR50 values, respectively, compared with the susceptible biotype. Accumulation of H2O2 occurred more rapidly in the paraquat-susceptible biotype than in the resistant one. Paraquat treatment caused an increase in SOD and APX activity in the susceptible biotype, but antioxidant enzyme activities were unaffected by paraquat in the resistant one at 5 h after application (HAA). Chl a fluorescence increased across the first 4 HAA in both resistant and susceptible biotypes. However, at 24 HAA, the resistant biotype showed a decline in fluorescence close to untreated plants, while the susceptible biotype died, confirming resistance to diquat in the paraquat-resistant C. sumatrensis biotype. The paraquat-resistant biotype does not induce antioxidative enzymes, as a possible mechanism of resistance to paraquat, but shows rapid recovery of photosynthesis and continuous growth when subjected to paraquat, while the paraquat-susceptible biotype does not survive.