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Arterial hypertension is a highly prevalent chronic disease worldwide, with several etiologies and treatments that may eventually have side effects or result in patients developing tolerance. There is growing interest in traditional medicine and functional foods to isolate biomolecules that could be useful as coadjuvants for treating several aliments. Pitaya, a desert fruit endemic in Mexico, is a rich source of bioactive molecules (betalains and phenolic compounds). In this work, the vasorelaxation properties of pitaya juice concentrate and fraction one were investigated using aortic and mesenteric rings from rats. The incubation of rings with pitaya juice concentrate or fraction one induced significant vasorelaxation, independent of the endothelium, and showed resistance to potassium channel blockers. This vasorelaxation was associated with the transmembrane influx of extracellular calcium through the vascular smooth muscle cells, with an inhibitory effect on the voltage-dependent calcium channel currents. Also, 400 mg/mL of pitaya juice concentrate in spontaneous hypertensive rats reduced their blood pressure for 48 h. Phytochemical analyses showed that the primary compounds in F1 were glycosidic in nature, and could be a complex mixture of disaccharides, dimeric disaccharides, or even tetrasaccharides. The glycosidic compounds found in F1 primarily contributed to vasodilatation, establishing a voltage-dependent calcium channel inhibition as a possible molecular target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Potyvirus diseases are one of the main challenges facing the production of yam ( Dioscorea spp.). The objective of this study was to identify the potyviruses present in the Dioscorea spp. germplasm collection at Instituto de Investigaciones de Viandas Tropicales (INIVIT) to establish methodologies for the characterization of the associated diseases. For this purpose, immunochemical and molecular methods were used to identify the potyviruses present. The symptomatology of Dioscorea spp. at INIVIT's germplasm collection was described. In addition, the severity and incidence in the germplasm collection and production areas were evaluated. As a result, the first report of yam mosaic virus ( Potyvirus yamtesselati ) and yam mild mosaic virus ( Potyvirus yamplacidum ) in Cuba is presented. The existence of resistant, tolerant, and susceptible cultivars to potyvirus-associated diseases in the germplasm collection was detected, and the incidence of these diseases was higher than 64% in the production areas evaluated. This study represents a step forward in the establishment of certification programs for propagating material of Dioscorea spp. in Cuba.

This case report delves into the intricate medical history of an 85-year-old male who experienced a myriad of health challenges throughout his years. With a medical history full of conditions, such as stroke, sinus bradycardia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, severe pulmonary hypertension, and chronic gastritis, the patient´s health profile is further complicated by prostatic hypertrophy, persistent dorsalgia and lumbalgia, the presence of a thyroid nodule, and a recent onset of hypothyroidism. Among the diverse medical conditions of this patient, our narrative is primarily centered on his latest diagnosis: non-Hodgkin´s lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin´s lymphoma is not just a mere addition to his already complex medical history; it is a malignant neoplasm that shapes worldwide patterns of cancer mortality. The first indicators that led to this discovery were the patient´s complaints of persistent pain in the left lateral neck region associated with dysphagia. This was not an isolated symptom; the patient also reported a month-long history of asthenia, myalgias, weakness around the pelvic girdle, fatigue, and hyporexia, depicting a concerning clinical picture. Advanced diagnostic tools, namely ultrasound and computed tomography, shed light on submaxillary and cervical adenopathies. To corroborate such findings and get a definitive diagnosis of malignancy, a fine-needle aspiration was advised. Through this case, we aim not only to describe a clinical scenario but to highlight the challenges involved in the diagnosing and treatment of non-Hodgkin ´s lymphoma, especially in elderly patients. The overlap of multiple comorbidities adds further complexity to the scene, demanding meticulous care and expertise. This report serves as an educational tool for oncology experts, as well as testimony to the complexities of patient care in the oncology diagnostic and treatment setting., Competing Interests: The authors declare they have no conflicts of interest., (This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.)