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Writers of this article share their seminal work of creating the Latin American Region (LAC) as part of the United States NASPA-Student Affairs Administration in the Higher Education Association's Global Division. Webinars, exchanges, conferences, some research initiatives, and a new student affairs administration minor as part of a higher education master's degree are beginning to shape the work of student affairs in South America.

Postmenopausal Hispanic/Latina (N = 254) women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 were randomized to an intervention to reduce sitting time or a comparison condition for 12 weeks. The standing intervention group received three in-person health-counseling sessions, one home visit, and up to eight motivational interviewing calls. The heart healthy lifestyle comparison group (C) received an equal number of contact hours to discuss healthy aging. The primary outcome was 12-week change in sitting time measured via thigh-worn activPAL. Group differences in outcomes were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. Participants had a mean age of 65 (6.5) years, preferred Spanish language (89%), BMI of 32.4 (4.8) kg/m2, and sat for an average of 540 (86) minutes/day. Significant between-group differences were observed in reductions of sitting time across the 12-week period [Mdifference (SE): C − 7.5 (9.1), SI − 71.0 (9.8), p < 0.01]. Results demonstrate that coaching models to reduce sitting are feasible and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Gracilinanus ranges from savannas to dense forests in South America, yet its systematics have never been thoroughly investigated across its wide distributional range. We assessed Gracilinanus phylogenetic relationships, species boundaries, and geographical limits using mtDNA sequences. Our analysis confirmed the distinctiveness of the six recognized species (G. aceramarcae, G. agilis, G. emiliae, G. marica, G. microtarsus, and G. peruanus), with a mean p-distance for interspecific nucleotide sequence divergences ranging from 13–16.2% and robust phylogenetic support (BPP > 0.95; BS > 75%). Refined species delimitation approaches (GMYC, PTP, ASAP) revealed potential cryptic diversity, suggesting up to 20 candidate species. Three geographically structured and divergent lineages (4.1–4.8% sequence divergence) were identified within G. agilis, extending its Cerrado range. Within G. emiliae, we found divergence values ranging from 4.7–5.7% and the first known record for the northeastern Atlantic Forest. Three divergent clades were recovered within G. microtarsus (9.0–9.8% sequence divergence), including a new lineage for the northern Atlantic Forest. For G. peruanus, we found two divergent lineages (7.2%) and the first documented occurrence for Amazonian lowland forest. This comprehensive sampling revealed greater genetic diversity in Gracilinanus, extending its geographic limits. Here we propose nine putative new species, emphasizing a hidden diversity that warrants formal description and further increases the taxonomic diversity of this genus. These newly identified lineages underscore the urgency of inventorying and conserving the threatened ecosystems of the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest hotspots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last years, "El Sistema" has been enthusiastically received around the world and has inspired several proposals aiming to transplant it to different contexts in different countries. It would seem, then, that "El Sistema" constitutes a renewed approach that allows a place for inclusive music education within the framework of the traditional orchestral format. The authors, both Spanish speakers, contribute a reflection on the meaning of the name "El Sistema," being a short version of the historical and traditional denomination of this project in the context that gave rise to it in Venezuela. From this initial semantic distinction, they propose a clarification of the possible confusion between system, method, and sequence of procedures. For this, they use Frega's Parametric Model, applied since 1994 for method comparison in various contexts and in equivalent tasks of sequencing analysis and/or difficulty grading. Additionally, they review historical events that gave context to Abreu's proposal and its subsequent development. In this way, they attempt to elucidate a conceptualization that does not respond to the initial context and the characteristics of its practical implementation in diverse situations. This certainly does not imply a negative conclusion regarding a practice that might be valuable.

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Many studies suggest that aside from environmental variables, such as topography and climate, species‐specific ecological traits are relevant to explain the geographic distribution of intraspecific genetic lineages. Here, we investigated whether and to what extent incorporating such traits systematically improves the accuracy of random forest models in predicting genetic differentiation among pairs of localities. We leveraged available ecological datasets for birds and tested the inclusion of two categories of ecological traits: dispersal‐related traits (i.e. morphology and foraging ecology) and demographic traits (such as species survival rate and generation length). We estimated genetic differentiation from published mitochondrial DNA sequences for 28 species of birds (1578 total genetic samples, 391 localities) in the Atlantic Forest of South America. Aside from the aforementioned ecological traits, we included geographic, topographic and climatic distances between localities as environmental predictors. We then created models using all available data to evaluate model uncertainty both across space and across the different categories of predictors. Finally, we investigated model uncertainty in predicting genetic differentiation individually for each species (a common challenge in conservation biology). Our results show that while environmental conditions are the most important predictors of genetic differentiation, model accuracy largely increases with the addition of ecological traits. Additionally, the inclusion of dispersal traits improves model accuracy to a larger extent than the inclusion of demographic traits. Similar results are observed in models for individual species, although model accuracy is highly variable. We conclude that ecological traits improve predictive models of genetic differentiation, refining our ability to predict phylogeographic patterns from existing data. Additionally, demographic traits may not be as informative as previously hypothesized. Finally, prediction of genetic differentiation for species with conservation concerns may require further careful assessment of the environmental and ecological variation within the species range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of research. Fossils of herbaceous lycophytes are scarce overall, most possibly due to biases against their preservation. In particular, the record of selaginellalean macrofossils is almost nonexistent for the Southern Hemisphere, whereas its northern counterpart presents a more complete register extending from the Carboniferous onward. Here, we present a new fossil record of an herbaceous lycophyte attributed to a selaginellalean based on a fertile specimen with in situ sporangia and spore content that was recovered from the uppermost section of the Upper Triassic Potrerillos Formation (ca. 232 Ma) at the Quebrada del Durazno locality in Mendoza, Argentina. Methodology. The single specimen was recovered as a clean impression and did not require any particular treatment for its study, since neither the cuticle nor other organic matter was preserved. The fossil was photographed in detail to register its original condition and features. Subsequently, the fossil was coated in graphite to obtain scanning electron microscope images with enough contrast. Description and measurements were performed from the images. Pivotal results. The specimen is characterized by a short dichotomous shoot bearing isophyllous leaves and in situ megaspores and microspores but in which the sporangia are not clearly organized in terminal cones; the latter condition is considered unusual in the Selaginellaceae. We discuss the differential preservation state of the sporangia based on the observation of isolated spores, spores in tetrads, and molds left by their corrosion inside the microsporangia. Based on developmental studies on living herbaceous lycophytes, we consider the possibility that some microsporangia were in a stage before meiosis while others were almost ready to release their spore content but were deposited before being able to do so. Conclusions. The recognition of in situ megaspores and microspores allowed for the specimen's attribution to the Selaginellaceae. This represents the first record of a fossil Selaginellaceae lycophyte for South America and only the second known record in the entire Southern Hemisphere, making it a remarkable finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Astylus atromaculatus Blanchard is a native beetle of South America that feeds on pollen. During the summer of 2022–2023 in Argentina and Uruguay, an explosive infestation of these insects occurred in pastures in which ruminants were grazing. This was believed to be associated with a severe drought, which had significantly reduced the flowering of crops. Three farms in Uruguay and one in Argentina were visited to examine the flocks and perform autopsies. Affected sheep had watery diarrhea, anorexia, depression, and ruminal atony. The average morbidity, mortality, and case fatality rates were 7.5%, 4.3%, and 68%, respectively. The main gross findings in all animals were in the jejunum; the serosa had multifocal hemorrhages, and the mucosa was necrotic and covered by a pseudomembrane. Microscopically, the mucosa had partial-to-complete necrosis of the lamina propria, as well as loss of villus and crypt epithelium with neutrophilic infiltration. Overlying the necrotic mucosa was a pseudomembrane of fibrin, cell debris, desquamated epithelial cells, degenerate neutrophils, and bacteria. Many specimens of A. atromaculatus were in all paddocks in which sheep grazed, as well as in the ruminal content of the autopsied animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been hypothesized that the Araucaria Forest in southern Brazil underwent expansions in the past, driven either by human groups or by climate fluctuations of the Holocene and Pleistocene. Fossil pollen records of the Paraná pine Araucaria angustifolia, a dominant tree in that forest, provide some insights into when those may have occurred. Still, the timing of those expansions has never been estimated. To infer past range shifts and shed light on their main drivers, we employed next‐generation DNA sequencing (ddRADseq), machine learning, and a comprehensive database of fossil pollen records into a study of historical demographic inference and paleo‐distribution modeling of the Paraná pine. We found that A. angustifolia comprises two populations expanding at different times: one in the Mantiqueira mountain chain, the other in the southern Brazilian plateau. The southern population began to expand during the Last Glacial Period ~ 70 kya, long before human arrival in South America. Still, genetic analyses support that humans later impacted this population, resulting in lower genetic diversity, higher inbreeding, and high levels of gene flow over large distances with a weak pattern of isolation‐by‐distance. It is possible this resulted from human influence on seed dispersal and germination on the southern Brazilian plateau. The Mantiqueira population, in contrast, expanded only recently (~ 3 kya). This timing coincides with Holocene climatic changes and human settlements established further south, although, to date, there is little archeological evidence of human impact in the Mantiqueira. In addition, multitemporal species distribution models built from a combination of present‐day and pollen records infer a range expansion of the Araucaria Forest during glacial times until the cold humid HS1 event (~ 16 kya), when the forest was most widespread, with no evidence of glacial refugia. The combination of genomic and spatial analyses suggests that both human and climatic controls played a role in the dynamics of the Araucaria Forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nasal cavity of living mammals is a unique structural complex among tetrapods, acquired along a series of major morphological transformations that occurred mainly during the Mesozoic Era, within the Synapsida clade. Particularly, non-mammaliaform cynodonts document several morphological changes in the skull, during the Triassic Period, that represent the first steps of the mammalian bauplan. We here explore the nasal cavity of five cynodont taxa, namely Thrinaxodon, Chiniquodon, Prozostrodon, Riograndia, and Brasilodon, in order to discuss the main changes within this skull region. We did not identify ossified turbinals in the nasal cavity of these taxa and if present, as non-ossified structures, they would not necessarily be associated with temperature control or the development of endothermy. We do, however, notice a complexification of the cartilage anchoring structures that divide the nasal cavity and separate it from the brain region in these forerunners of mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Bats represent a diverse and ecologically significant mammalian group characterized by different feeding habits. Despite the gut microbiota influence on feeding habits, microbiome studies are scarce in South American bats, in a region considered a hot spot for bat biodiversity. Our study in Southern Brazil compared the gut microbiota of four bat species with different diets: nectarivorous, frugivorous, insectivorous, and hematophagous. We found that each species had unique gut microbiotas linked to their dietary habits, impacting their metabolic potentials. The presence of potentially harmful bacteria varied with feeding habits, suggesting a correlation between diet and microbial pathogens in bats. These insights emphasize the importance of preserving diverse habitats and food sources to support the conservation of bats and their ecosystems. Bats are a diverse and ecologically important group of mammals that exhibit remarkable diversity in their feeding habits. These diverse feeding habits are thought to be reflected in the composition and function of their gut microbiota, which plays important roles in nutrient acquisition, immune function, and overall health. Despite the rich biodiversity of bat species in South America, there is a lack of microbiome studies focusing on bats from this region. Such studies could offer major insights into conservation efforts and the preservation of biodiversity in South America. In this work, we aimed to compare the gut microbiota of four bat species with different feeding habits from Southern Brazil, including nectarivorous, frugivorous, insectivorous, and hematophagous bats. Our findings demonstrate that feeding habits can have a significant impact on the diversity and composition of bat gut microbiotas, with each species exhibiting unique metabolic potentials related to their dietary niches. In addition, the identification of potentially pathogenic bacteria suggests that the carriage of microbial pathogens by bats may vary, depending on feeding habits and host-specific factors. These findings provide novel insights into the relationship between bat feeding habits and gut microbiota composition, highlighting the need to promote diverse habitats and food sources to support these ecologically important species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drylands soils worldwide are naturally colonized by microbial communities known as biocrusts. These soil microbiomes render important ecosystem services associated with soil fertility, water holding capacity, and stability to the areas they cover. Because of the importance of biocrusts in the global cycling of nutrients, there is a growing interest in describing the many microbial configurations these communities display worldwide. However, comprehensive 16S rRNA genes surveys of biocrust communities do not exist for much of the planet: for example, in the continents of South America and the northern part of Africa. The absence of a global understanding of biocrust biodiversity has lead us to assign a general importance to community members that may, in fact, be regional. Here we report for the first time the presence of biocrusts in Colombia (South America) through 16S rRNA genes surveys across an arid, a semi-arid and a dry subtropical region within the country. Our results constitute the first glance of the Bacterial/Archaeal communities associated with South American biocrust microbiomes. Communities where cyanobacteria other than Microcoleus vaginatus prevail, despite the latter being considered a key species elsewhere, illustrate differentiable results in these surveys. We also find that the coastal biocrust communities in Colombia include halo-tolerant and halophilic species, and that niche preference of some nitrogen fixing organisms deviate from previously described global trends. In addition, we identified a high proportion (ranging from 5 to 70%, in average) of cyanobacterial sequences that did not match any formally described cyanobacterial species. Our investigation of Colombian biocrusts points to highly diverse communities with climatic regions controlling taxonomic configurations. They also highlight an extensive local diversity to be discovered which is central to better design management and restoration strategies for drylands soils currently undergoing disturbances due to land use and global warming. Finally, this field study highlights the need for an improved mechanistic understanding of the response of key biocrust community members to changes in moisture and temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite numerous reports of Anaplasmataceae agents in mammals worldwide, few studies have investigated their occurrence in birds. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence and molecular identity of Anaplasmataceae agents in birds from the Pantanal wetland, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 93 different species. After DNA extraction, samples positive for the avian β-actin gene were subjected to both a multiplex quantitative real-time (q)PCR for Anaplasma and Ehrlichia targeting the groEL gene and to a conventional PCR for Anaplasmataceae agents targeting the 16S rRNA gene. As a result, 37 (7.4%) birds were positive for Anaplasma spp. and 4 (0.8%) for Ehrlichia spp. in the qPCR assay; additionally, 13 (2.6%) were positive for Anaplasmataceae agents in the PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene. The Ehrlichia 16S rRNA sequences detected in Arundinicola leucocephala, Ramphocelus carbo, and Elaenia albiceps were positioned closely to Ehrlichia sp. Magellanica. Ehrlichia dsb sequences detected in Agelasticus cyanopus and Basileuterus flaveolus grouped with Ehrlichia minasensis. The 16S rRNA genotypes detected in Crax fasciolata, Pitangus sulphuratus and Furnarius leucopus grouped with Candidatus Allocryptoplasma. The 23S-5S genotypes detected in C. fasciolata, Basileuterus flaveolus, and Saltator coerulescens were related to Anaplasma phagocytophilum. In conclusion, novel genotypes of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Candidatus Allocryptoplasma were detected in birds from the Pantanal wetland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountainous grasslands in South America, characterized by their high diversity, provide a wide range of contributions to people, including water regulation, soil erosion prevention, livestock feed provision, and preservation of cultural heritage. Prior research has highlighted the significant role of grazing in shaping the diversity and productivity of grassland ecosystems, especially in highly productive, eutrophic systems. In such environments, grazing has been demonstrated to restore grassland plant diversity by reducing primary productivity. However, it remains unclear whether these findings are applicable to South American mountainous grasslands, where plants are adapted to different environmental conditions. To address this uncertainty, we conducted a meta‐analysis of experiments excluding livestock grazing to assess its impact on plant diversity and productivity across mountainous grasslands in South America. In alignment with studies in temperate grasslands, our findings indicated that herbivore exclusion resulted in increased aboveground biomass but reduced species richness and Shannon diversity. The effects of grazing exclusion became more pronounced with longer durations of exclusion; nevertheless, they remained resilient to various climatic conditions, including mean annual precipitation and mean annual temperature, as well as the evolutionary history of grazing. In contrast to results observed in temperate grasslands, the reduction in species richness due to herbivore exclusion was not associated with increased aboveground biomass. This suggests that the processes governing (sub)tropical grassland plant diversity may differ from those in temperate grasslands. Consequently, further research is necessary to better understand the specific factors influencing plant diversity and productivity in South American montane grasslands and to elucidate the ecological implications of herbivore exclusion in these unique ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orthobunyavirus oropouche ense virus (OROV), the causative agent of Oropouche fever, is widely dispersed in Brazil and South America, causing sporadic outbreaks. Due to the similarity of initial clinical symptoms caused by OROV with other arboviruses found in overlapping geographical areas, differential diagnosis is challenging. As for most neglected tropical diseases, there is a shortage of reagents for diagnosing and studying OROV pathogenesis. We therefore developed and characterized mouse monoclonal antibodies and, one of them recognizes the OROV nucleocapsid in indirect immunofluorescent (IFA) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays. Considering that it is the first monoclonal antibody produced for detecting OROV infections, we believe that it will be useful not only for diagnostic purposes but also for performing serological surveys and epidemiological surveillance on the dispersion and prevalence of OROV in Brazil and South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, with the decline of natural habitats, species with reduced niche breadth (specialists) are at greater risk of extinction as they cannot colonise or persist in disturbed habitat types. However, the role of thermal tolerance as a critical trait in understanding changes in species diversity in disturbed habitats, e.g., due to forest replacement by tree plantations, is still understudied. To examine the role of thermal tolerance on the responses of specialist and generalist species to habitat disturbances, we measured and compared local temperature throughout the year and thermotolerance traits [upper (CTmax) and lower (CTmin) thermal limits] of the most abundant species of spiders from different guilds inhabiting pine tree plantations and native Atlantic Forests in South America. Following the thermal adaptation hypothesis, we predicted that generalist species would show a wider thermal tolerance range (i.e., lower CTmin and higher CTmax) than forest specialist species. As expected, generalist species showed significantly higher CTmax and lower CTmin values than specialist species with wider thermal tolerance ranges than forest specialist species. These differences are more marked in orb weavers than in aerial hunter spiders. Our study supports the specialisation disturbance and thermal hypotheses. It highlights that habitat-specialist species are more vulnerable to environmental changes associated with vegetation structure and microclimatic conditions. Moreover, thermal tolerance is a key response trait to explain the Atlantic Forest spider's ability (or inability) to colonise and persist in human-productive land uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To search for a general regionalization pattern using verified records of endemic terrestrial vertebrates. To test previous hypotheses of congruent distribution patterns for Cerrado biotas. To study the role of elevation as a driver of endemism and distribution in the Cerrado region. Location: Cerrado domain, central South America. Taxon: Tetrapoda. Methods: We used a species occurrence matrix to implement a biotic element (BE) analysis to test for non‐random spatial congruence of raw distributions of Cerrado endemic amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. We implemented a Kruskal–Wallis test on elevational records to classify species as occurring predominantly in plateaus or depressions, and to classify all delimited BEs in such categories. Results: We compiled and revised 13,800 unique distribution records of 340 Cerrado endemic tetrapods and detected a significant, non‐random co‐distribution pattern formed by 29 BEscomprising 182 species, corroborating the first general prediction of the vicariant model. Most BEs were composed of at least three vertebrate groups, reflecting general tetrapod endemism patterns. Congeneric species were segregated among different BEs, corroborating the second prediction of the vicariant model. Our regionalization scheme was broadly congruent with previous results and revealed three previously undetected areas. Most (89%) partial or restricted BEs are clearly segregated in elevation, and we recognized 14 'Plateau units' and 12 'Depression units'. Main Conclusions: Our results support an emergent consensual biotic regionalization pattern in the Cerrado. We also revealed three novel regions and complex biogeographical patterns. The clear altitudinal segregation among BEs validates previous hypotheses on the role of geomorphological changes in shaping Cerrado and Neotropical endemism patterns. Our recovered units should serve as a template for the description of new taxa, for delimiting poorly studied ranges, and for guiding urgent conservation action in the richest and most imperilled tropical savanna in the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Snakebite envenomation (SBE) causes diverse toxic effects in humans, including disability and death. Current antivenom therapies effectively prevent death but fail to block local tissue damage, leading to an increase in the severity of envenomation; thus, seeking alternative treatments is crucial. Methods: This study analyzed the potential of two fucoidan sulfated polysaccharides extracted from brown seaweeds Fucus vesiculosus (FVF) and Undaria pinnatifida (UPF) against the fibrinogen or plasma coagulation, proteolytic, and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activities of Bothrops jararaca, B. jararacussu, and B. neuwiedi venom. The toxicity of FVF and UPF was assessed by the hemocompatibility test. Results: FVF and UPF did not lyse human red blood cells. FVF and UPF inhibited the proteolytic activity of Bothrops jararaca, B. jararacussu, and B. neuwiedi venom by approximately 25%, 50%, and 75%, respectively, while all venoms led to a 20% inhibition of PLA2 activity. UPF and FVF delayed plasma coagulation caused by the venoms of B. jararaca and B. neuwiedi but did not affect the activity of B. jararacussu venom. FVF and UPF blocked the coagulation of fibrinogen induced by all these Bothropic venoms. Conclusion: FVF and UPF may be of importance as adjuvants for SBE caused by species of Bothrops, which are the most medically relevant snakebite incidents in South America, especially Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This retrospective case series aims to describe the ophthalmic manifestations of the Monkeypox virus infection in seven patients evaluated in two countries of South America (Colombia and Brazil). Two had skin lesions in the eyelid, and five had conjunctivitis. None had intraocular involvement. Three of seven patients had a history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection, and all patients had lesions in the genital region, suggesting sexual-contact transmission. In 6 of 7 cases, conjunctival RT-PCR was positive for the Monkeypox virus, including one case without conjunctival vesicles. In all cases, lesions resolved without complications, and just two required antiviral treatment. All patients demonstrated improvement without complications. RT-PCR positivity in conjunctiva demonstrated the presence of the Monkeypox virus, suggesting that ocular-mediated transmission could be plausible. Ophthalmologists should be aware of this ophthalmic manifestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria is a severe public health problem in several developing tropical and subtropical countries. Anopheles aquasalis is the primary coastal malaria vector in Central and South America and the Caribbean Islands, and it has the peculiar feature of living in water with large changes in salinity. Recent research has recognised An. aquasalis as an important model for studying the interactions of murine and human Plasmodium parasites. This study presents the complete genome of An. aquasalis and offers insights into its evolution and physiology. The genome is similar in size and gene content to other Neotropical anophelines, with 162 Mb and 12,446 protein-coding genes. There are 1387 single-copy orthologs at the Diptera level (eg. An. gambiae, An. darlingi and Drosophila melanogaster). An. aquasalis diverged from An. darlingi, the primary malaria vector in inland South America, nearly 20 million years ago. Proteins related to ion transport and metabolism belong to the most abundant gene families with 660 genes. We identified gene families relevant to osmosis control (e.g., aquaporins, vacuolar-ATPases, Na+/K+-ATPases, and carbonic anhydrases). Evolutionary analysis suggests that all osmotic regulation genes are under strong purifying selection. We also observed low copy number variation in insecticide resistance and immunity-related genes for all known classical pathways. The data provided by this study offers candidate genes for further studies of parasite-vector interactions and for studies on how anophelines of brackish water deal with the high fluctuation in water salinity. We also established data and insights supporting An. aquasalis as an emerging Neotropical malaria vector model for genetic and molecular studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monodominant tree communities can have phenotypic trait variation (intraspecific variation) as extreme as the trait variation across a forest with higher species diversity. An example of such forests is those composed of Quercus, an important genus of woody angiosperms in the montane neotropical forest. The Andean oak, or Quercus humboldtii Bonpl., is the sole member of this genus in South America and a characteristic component of montane ecosystems. Although there are several studies on the ecology and genetic structure of this species, there are few studies on the functional trait diversity among populations. Understanding functional traits can improve our comprehension of how organisms respond to various environmental conditions. In this study, we aimed to evaluate differences in six functional traits in individuals of the Andean oak, in two ontogenetic stages (juveniles and adults) from three populations with contrasting environmental conditions. Additionally, using T-statistics, we assessed the impact of external filters (e.g., climate, resource availability, large-scale biotic interactions) on population assembly. We found a remarkable level of functional differentiation among Andean oak forests, with all traits differing between populations and five traits differing between ontogenetic stages. External filters had a stronger influence in populations with more extreme environmental conditions. These findings emphasize the dynamic and context-dependent nature of functional traits in this species. However, given the limited exploration of functional diversity in Andean oak populations, further studies are needed to inform conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Andes mountains of western South America are a globally important biodiversity hotspot, yet there is a paucity of resolved phylogenies for plant clades from this region. Filling an important gap in our understanding of the World's richest flora, we present the first phylogeny of Freziera (Pentaphylacaceae), an Andean-centered, cloud forest radiation. Our dataset was obtained via hybrid-enriched target sequence capture of Angiosperms353 universal loci for 50 of the ca. 75 spp. obtained almost entirely from herbarium specimens. We identify high phylogenomic complexity in Freziera , including the presence of data artifacts. Via by-eye observation of gene trees, detailed examination of warnings from recently improved assembly pipelines, and gene tree filtering, we identified that artifactual orthologs (i.e. the presence of only one copy of a multicopy gene due to differential assembly) were an important source of gene tree heterogeneity that had a negative impact on phylogenetic inference and support. These artifactual orthologs may be common in plant phylogenomic datasets, where multiple instances of genome duplication are common. After accounting for artifactual orthologs as source of gene tree error, we identified a significant, but nonspecific signal of introgression using Patterson's D and f4 statistics. Despite phylogenomic complexity, we were able to resolve Freziera into 9 well-supported subclades whose evolution has been shaped by multiple evolutionary processes, including incomplete lineage sorting, historical gene flow, and gene duplication. Our results highlight the complexities of plant phylogenomics, which are heightened in Andean radiations, and show the impact of filtering data processing artifacts and standard filtering approaches on phylogenetic inference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) has been associated with poor mental health outcomes. We aimed to meta-analytically estimate the mean and median DUP worldwide, evaluating also the influence of several moderating factors. This PRISMA/MOOSE-compliant meta-analysis searched for non-overlapping individual studies from inception until 9/12/2022, reporting mean ± s.d. or median DUP in patients with first episode psychosis (FEP), without language restrictions. We conducted random-effect meta-analyses, stratified analyses, heterogeneity analyses, meta-regression analyses, and quality assessment (PROSPERO:CRD42020163640). From 12 461 citations, 369 studies were included. The mean DUP was 42.6 weeks (95% confidence interval (CI) 40.6–44.6, k = 283, n = 41 320), varying significantly across continents (p < 0.001). DUP was (in descending order) 70.0 weeks (95% CI 51.6–88.4, k = 11, n = 1508) in Africa; 48.8 weeks (95% CI 43.8–53.9, k = 73, n = 12 223) in Asia; 48.7 weeks (95% CI 43.0–54.4, k = 36, n = 5838) in North America; 38.6 weeks (95% CI 36.0–41.3, k = 145, n = 19 389) in Europe; 34.9 weeks (95% CI 23.0–46.9, k = 11, n = 1159) in South America and 28.0 weeks (95% CI 20.9–35.0, k = 6, n = 1203) in Australasia. There were differences depending on the income of countries: DUP was 48.4 weeks (95% CI 43.0–48.4, k = 58, n = 5635) in middle-low income countries and 41.2 weeks (95% CI 39.0–43.4, k = 222, n = 35 685) in high income countries. Longer DUP was significantly associated with older age (β = 0.836, p < 0.001), older publication year (β = 0.404, p = 0.038) and higher proportion of non-White FEP patients (β = 0.232, p < 0.001). Median DUP was 14 weeks (Interquartile range = 8.8–28.0, k = 206, n = 37 215). In conclusion, DUP is high throughout the world, with marked variation. Efforts to identify and intervene sooner in patients with FEP, and to promote global mental health and access to early intervention services (EIS) are critical, especially in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Clinical guidelines recommend measurement of arterial (carotid and femoral) plaque burden by vascular ultrasound (VUS) as a risk modifier in individuals at low or moderate risk without known atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of carotid and femoral plaques by age and sex, the burden of subclinical atherosclerosis (SA), and its association with classic CVRF in subjects over 30 years of age without ASCVD. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 5775 consecutive subjects referred for cardiovascular evaluation and determined the prevalence and burden of SA using 2D-VUS in carotid and femoral arteries. Results: Sixty-one percent were men with a mean age of 51.3 (SD 10.6) years. Overall, plaque prevalence was 51% in carotid arteries, 39.3% in femoral arteries, 62.4% in carotid or femoral arteries, and 37.6% in neither. The prevalence of plaques and SA burden showed an increasing trend with age, being higher in men than in women and starting before the age of 40, both in the carotid and femoral sites. There was also an increasing prevalence of plaques according to the number of CVRF, and interestingly we found a high prevalence of plaques in subjects with 0 or 1 classic CVRF. Conclusions: We observed an increased prevalence and burden of carotid or femoral SA, higher in men, beginning before the fourth decade of life and increasing with age. Despite a significant association with classic CVRF, a significant number of subjects with low CVRF were diagnosed with SA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population exposure to heat waves (HWs) is increasing worldwide due to climate change, significantly affecting society, including public health. Despite its significant vulnerabilities and limited adaptation resources to rising temperatures, South America, particularly Brazil, lacks research on the health impacts of temperature extremes, especially on the role played by socioeconomic factors in the risk of heat-related illness. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of the effects of HWs on mortality rates in the 14 most populous urban areas, comprising approximately 35% of the country's population. Excess mortality during HWs was estimated through the observed-to-expected ratio (O/E) for total deaths during the events identified. Moreover, the interplay of intersectionality and vulnerability to heat considering demographics and socioeconomic heterogeneities, using gender, age, race, and educational level as proxies, as well as the leading causes of heat-related excess death, were assessed. A significant increase in the frequency was observed from the 1970s (0–3 HWs year-1) to the 2010s (3–11 HWs year-1), with higher tendencies in the northern, northeastern, and central-western regions. Over the 2000–2018 period, 48,075 (40,448–55,279) excessive deaths were attributed to the growing number of HWs (>20 times the number of landslides-related deaths for the same period). Nevertheless, our event-based surveillance analysis did not detect the HW-mortality nexus, reinforcing that extreme heat events are a neglected disaster in Brazil. Among the leading causes of death, diseases of the circulatory and respiratory systems and neoplasms were the most frequent. Critical regional differences were observed, which can be linked to the sharp North-South inequalities in terms of socioeconomic and health indicators, such as life expectancy. Higher heat-related excess mortality was observed for low-educational level people, blacks and browns, older adults, and females. Such findings highlight that the strengthening of primary health care combined with reducing socioeconomic, racial, and gender inequalities represents a crucial step to reducing heat-related deaths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archaeological evidence indicates that initial coastal settlement of western South America took place near the end of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) when sea level was between 40 and 100 m lower than today. Beginning around 15,000 cal BP, and for roughly the next 8,000 years, sea levels rose, eventually covering these formerly exposed and potentially human-occupied landscapes. We use bathymetric data and the reconstructed global mean sea level curve from the Last Glacial Maximum to the Holocene to describe the paleolandscapes associated with the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene coastal occupations at five sites located in far southern Peru. We constructed cross-sections perpendicular to the modern shoreline at the various locales to determine the approximate extent of the exposed land surface and the proximity of the communities at the sites of Quebrada de los Burros, Quebrada Tacahuay, the Ring Site, Kilometer 4 (K4), and Quebrada Miraflores to the ocean and various littoral habitats. Our analysis identifies previously undocumented littoral habitats consisting of large, shallow-water bays, significant rocky headlands, and beach habitats. We propose several methods of future research to identify potentially submerged sites and the marine paleolandscape of the study region. Knowing the paleolandscapes contributes to refining Pacific coast migration and settlement models for South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Global warming and climate change are threats to the world. Warmer temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns alter water availability and increase the occurrence of extreme weather events. South America and the Andes are vulnerable regions to climate change due to inequity and the uneven distribution of resources. Climate change evaluation often relies on the use of general circulation models (GCMs). However, the spatial resolution is too coarse and does not provide a realistic climate representation at a local level. This is of particular importance in mountain areas such as the Andes range, where the heterogeneous topography requires a finer spatial resolution to represent the local physical processes. To this end, statistical and/or dynamical downscaling methods are required. Several approaches and applications of downscaling procedures have been carried out in the countries of this region, with different purposes and performances. However, the main objective is to improve the representation of meteorological variables such as precipitation and temperature. A systematic review of these downscaling applications will identify the performance of the methods applied in the Andes region for the downscaling of precipitation and temperature. In addition, the meta-analysis could detect factors influencing the performance. The overall goal is to highlight promising methods in terms of fitness for use and identify knowledge gaps in the region. Methods: The review will search and examine published and grey literature on downscaling applications of temperature and precipitation in the Andes region. Predetermined criteria for eligibility will allow the screening of the evidence. Then, the method used in each application will be coded and mapped according to the country, purpose, variable, and type of downscaling. At the same time, quantitative and qualitative data will be extracted. The performance metrics are particularly interesting for this review. A meta-analysis will be conducted for those studies with comparable metrics. A narrative synthesis, maps and heatmaps will show the results. Tables, funnel plots, and meta-regressions will present the meta-analysis. Throughout the review, a critical appraisal step will categorize the validity of the evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southern Brazilian Pleistocene fauna exhibited a rich diversity of large mammalian herbivores, which are now extinct or locally extinct. In this study, we employed stable isotope analysis to investigate the past ecology of these animals. Specifically, we examined the carbonate fraction of bones and teeth and utilized compiled carbon and oxygen isotopic ratios from previous research publications. The δ13C values indicated that most specimens inhabited grassland environments, which aligns with environmental reconstructions based on pollen records of the "Campos" region. The dominant food resource for these herbivores consisted of C 3 photosynthesizers, mainly cool-season grasses. This preference can be attributed to the higher abundance and nutritional quality of cool-season grasses compared with warm-season grasses employing C 4 photosynthesis. The variability in δ18O values within and between taxa may suggest a seasonal climate. Based on these findings, we conclude that the environmental changes during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition were detrimental to the survival of these large herbivores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports seven new records of Agrostis in Central and South America: A. boyacensis in Bolivia, Peru and Venezuela; A. lenis in Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela; and A. mertensii in Costa Rica. The lectotype of Agrostis williamsii is herein designated. This contribution includes synonymy, iconography, geographic distribution and habitat, phenology, conservation status according to IUCN categories of threat, uses, and a list of additional specimens examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The introduction of non-native species (NNS) and the resulting biological invasions are conspicuous features of the Anthropocene Epoch. Parallel to these phenomena, some initiatives (political, social and scientific) have sought to value and protect invasive populations, recognizing some benefits that NNS may deliver to people and nature. Given this growing trend of valuing NNS, we considered opportune to address this issue in the context of megadiverse tropical countries. We investigated an emerging trend that has advocated the protection of highly invasive fishes by legal instruments, i.e., the protection of invasive peacock basses (genus Cichla) in Brazil. We recorded 16 bills or laws proposed between 2017 and 2022 that determine fishing restrictions to protect invasive Cichla spp. from overfishing and other impacts, in order to favor population recruitment, growth, colonization and spread. Specifically, they establish restrictions on fishing, capture, transport, trade, and processing, including quotas, compulsory catch and release, length limits, use of gears, and temporal interdictions. They also determine the naturalization of peacock basses in some main basins of South America, which include different watersheds and ecoregions, with risk of intercountry invasions. This particular case is instructive to unveil the risks of positions that emphasize positive contributions of NNS to society and nature, as these misguided conservation actions favor invasive organisms with high potential to cause environmental degradation, biodiversity losses, and social conflicts. These positions find fertile ground in some contexts, especially in tropical developing countries, where economic constraints, poor access to information, opportunism, and bad political behavior have been the norm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geometric morphometrics (GM) is a powerful analytical tool that enables complete quantification of shapes. Its use in Botany has a great potential for complementing plant evolutionary and ecological studies. Taxonomic delimitation in Carex has been complicated due to reduction of characters and frequent homoplasy. This problem is more marked in cases where the species exhibit dwarfism. South America is the continent with the least understood Carex flora. The systematic relationships of some bizarre-looking groups were not unraveled until molecular phylogenetic studies resolved their relationships. In particular, there are two species only known from their type material whose affinities remain uncertain: Carex herteri and C. hypsipedos. These two taxa are acaulescent plants that respectively grow in the Uruguayan pampa and Peruvian high-altitude meadows. Recently, both species were ascribed to the Carex phalaroides group (subgen. Psyllophorae, sect. Junciformes) due to superficial morphological similarities, such as the androgynous peduncled spikes. However, their character combination is also coincident for its circumscription to sect. Abditispicae species. Nevertheless, in the absence of confirmation from molecular analyses, their placement must be considered preliminary until additional data can be provided. In this work we employ for the first time geometric morphometrics (GM) tools to assess the systematic affinities of two taxonomically problematic sedge species based on fruit shape. We compared utricle morphology of C. herteri and C. hypsipedos with that of C. phalaroides group and species in sect. Abditispicae. To this end we used GM and traditional morphometric approaches. Utricle shape variation along with other morphological features support the exclusion of these two species from the C. phalaroides gr. and, at the same time, show clear affinities of C. herteri to sect. Abditispicae. Carex hypsipedos remains as an incertae sedis species. Our work shows the potential utility of GM for the exploration of systematic affinities in sedges and in other graminoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to conduct anatomical and micromorphological analysis of inflorescences and flowers of six Verbena species native to South America (Verbenaceae): V. gracilescens from series Verbena, and V. bonariensis, V. intermedia, V. litoralis, V. montevidensis and V. rigida, all five from series Pachystachyae. The results showed that the rachis transverse section exhibits unistratified epidermis and hypodermis, eustele and parenchymatic pith. The chlorenchymatous cortex can be continuous or discontinuous. The floral bract shows unistratified epidermis, homogeneous mesophyll and parenchymatous sheath in the central vascular bundle. The perianth exhibits scarce homogeneous mesophyll. In relation to trichomes, non-glandular and glandular are occur in the inflorescence structures of all the studied species. Verbena bonariensis, V. rigida and V. intermedia have the same non-glandular (types I and II) and glandular (types IV-VII) trichomes. Non-glandular appressed trichomes (type III) were observed only in V. gracilescens, V. montevidensis and V. litoralis. Verbena gracilescens (Verbena series) and V. montevidensis (Pachystachyae series) show lax inflorescence with spaced flowers and only short stalked glandular and appressed non-glandular trichomes, with scarce density. The other studied species of series Pachystachyae exhibit dense inflorescence and all glandular and non-glandular trichomes types. The six studied species can be characterized by different trichome types in the inflorescences and anatomy of the rachis. The results have taxonomical importance, furthermore since several species of Verbena have medicinal properties these studies are a potential tool for the correct identification of the raw drug, preventing adulteration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of microbial genomes from human archaeological samples offers a historic snapshot of ancient pathogens and provides insights into the origins of modern infectious diseases. Here, we analyze metagenomic datasets from 38 human archaeological samples and identify bacterial genomic sequences related to modern-day Clostridium tetani, which produces the tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT) and causes the disease tetanus. These genomic assemblies had varying levels of completeness, and a subset of them displayed hallmarks of ancient DNA damage. Phylogenetic analyses revealed known C. tetani clades as well as potentially new Clostridium lineages closely related to C. tetani. The genomic assemblies encode 13 TeNT variants with unique substitution profiles, including a subgroup of TeNT variants found exclusively in ancient samples from South America. We experimentally tested a TeNT variant selected from an ancient Chilean mummy sample and found that it induced tetanus muscle paralysis in mice, with potency comparable to modern TeNT. Thus, our ancient DNA analysis identifies DNA from neurotoxigenic C. tetani in archaeological human samples, and a novel variant of TeNT that can cause disease in mammals. The analysis of microbial genomes from human archaeological samples offers a snapshot of ancient pathogens. Here, Hodgins et al. analyze metagenomic datasets from 38 human archaeological samples and identify bacterial genomic sequences related to modern-day Clostridium tetani, encoding tetanus neurotoxins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review essay, we compare three recent dictionaries of Indigenous languages spoken in South America. The review covers two print dictionaries—one of which is trilingual (Quechua, Spanish and English) and the other the second edition of a bilingual Q'eqchi'-English dictionary—and a bilingual, digital dictionary hosted online (Wichí-Spanish). The structure of this review essay is as follows: first, we offer a brief introduction to each of the languages covered in the dictionaries. Following the introduction, we offer sections in which we compare the orthographic choices made by the compilers, entry design and ordering within the publications. We also address the overarching structure of each dictionary, questions of language production and reception, as well as editorial decisions relating to the incorporation of neologisms. In addition, we include an analysis of the intended audience and accessibility of each dictionary, supplemented by a reflection about ownership and control of language data, community investment and how these resources address dialectal variation within the language, if indeed any exists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psidium laruotteanum is a subshrub Myrtaceae, native to the Brazilian savanna, and distributed in Central and South America. Here, the health beneficial compound piceid (reservatrol-3-β-mono-d-glucoside) is described for the first time in the genus Psidium. The ultrasound-assisted extraction from P. laruotteanum roots was optimized by a response surface methodology. A central composite design was used to assess six extraction variables. Optimal extractions were obtained with 62.5% MeOH in water at 69.1 °C, amplitude of 70%, cycle of 0.5 s−1, pH 5.7 and solvent–solid ratio of 40:1, for 10 min. The method showed excellent recovery (90%–95%) and precision (CV: 0.69% for repeatability and 0.43% for intermediate precision). This species appears as the most concentrated plant source of piceid reported to date (29.15 mg·g−1 in dry roots). Additionally, a very fast extraction (5 min) can afford 96% recovery of piceid from Psidium laruotteanum roots. It could be used as a natural and cheap source of piceid for several applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent fossil discoveries in Western Amazonia revealed that two distinct anthropoid primate clades of African origin colonized South America near the Eocene/Oligocene transition (ca. 34 Ma). Here, we describe a diminutive fossil primate from Brazilian Amazonia and suggest that, surprisingly, a third clade of anthropoids was involved in the Paleogene colonization of South America by primates. This new taxon, Ashaninkacebus simpsoni gen. et sp. nov., has strong dental affinities with Asian African stem anthro- poids: the Eosimiiformes. Morphology- based phylogenetic analyses of early Old World anthropoids and extinct and extant New World monkeys (platyrrhines) support rela- tionships of both Ashaninkacebus and Amamria (late middle Eocene, North Africa) to the South Asian Eosimiidae. Afro-Arabia, then a mega island, played the role of a biogeographic stopover between South Asia and South America for anthropoid primates and hystricognathous rodents. The earliest primates from South America bear little adaptive resemblance to later Oligocene-early Miocene platyrrhine monkeys, and the scarcity of available paleontological data precludes elucidating firmly their affinities with or within Platyrrhini. Nonetheless, these data shed light on some of their life history traits, revealing a particularly small body size and a diet consisting primarily of insects and possibly fruit, which would have increased their chances of survival on a natural floating island during this extraordinary over-water trip to South America from Africa. Divergence-time estimates between Old and New World taxa indicate that the trans- atlantic dispersal(s) could source in the intense flooding events associated with the late middle Eocene climatic optimum (ca. 40.5 Ma) in Western Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the spatial and temporal frameworks of species diversification is fundamental in evolutionary biology. Assessing the geographic origin and dispersal history of highly diverse lineages of rapid diversification can be hindered by the lack of appropriately sampled, resolved, and strongly supported phylogenetic contexts. The use of currently available cost-efficient sequencing strategies allows for the generation of a substantial amount of sequence data for dense taxonomic samplings, which together with well-curated geographic information and biogeographic models allow us to formally test the mode and tempo of dispersal events occurring in quick succession. Here, we assess the spatial and temporal frameworks for the origin and dispersal history of the expanded clade K, a highly diverse Tillandsia subgenus Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae, Poales) lineage hypothesized to have undergone a rapid radiation across the Neotropics. We assembled full plastomes from Hyb-Seq data for a dense taxon sampling of the expanded clade K plus a careful selection of outgroup species and used them to estimate a time- calibrated phylogenetic framework. This dated phylogenetic hypothesis was then used to perform biogeographic model tests and ancestral area reconstructions based on a comprehensive compilation of geographic information. The expanded clade K colonized North and Central America, specifically the Mexican transition zone and the Mesoamerican dominion, by long-distance dispersal from South America at least 4.86 Mya, when most of the Mexican highlands were already formed. Several dispersal events occurred subsequently northward to the southern Nearctic region, eastward to the Caribbean, and southward to the Pacific dominion during the last 2.8 Mya, a period characterized by pronounced climate fluctuations, derived from glacial--interglacial climate oscillations, and substantial volcanic activity, mainly in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. Our taxon sampling design allowed us to calibrate for the first time several nodes, not only within the expanded clade K focal group but also in other Tillandsioideae lineages. We expect that this dated phylogenetic framework will facilitate future macroevolutionary studies and provide reference age estimates to perform secondary calibrations for other Tillandsioideae lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chimarrão is a typical beverage made from the infusion of dried and ground leaves and stems of Ilex paraguariensis (popularly known as Yerba mate or mate herb) which is widely consumed in parts of South America. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the chimarrão against nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by the potassium dichromate (PD) salt in male Wistar rats. The experiment lasted 17 days, and in the first 15 days animals ingested a chimarrão infusion or control drinking water and then submitted to an intraperitoneal injection (15 mg/kg) of PD (or saline solution) and euthanized after 48 hr at which time animals still received infusion or drinking water. Blood plasma and 24 hr-urine samples were collected to measure creatinine levels as an estimate of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Concomitantly oxidative stress was determined in the kidneys as evidenced by levels of carbonyl groups, malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals. Potassium dichromate induced oxidative stress in the kidneys and reduced GFR. Treatment with chimarrão during the 15 days prior to PD injection reduced PD salt-mediated oxidative stress. Further, treatment with post-injection chimarrão to PD-administered rats improved the GFR. Our findings support that the use of the chimarrão beverage may be considered as an important nephroprotective substance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate some mechanisms of the immune response of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 in both acute infection and early and late convalescence phases. Methods: This is a cohort study of 70 cases of COVID-19, confirmed by RT-PCR, followed up to 60 days. Plasma Samples and clinical data were. Viral load, blood count, indicators inflammation were the parameters evaluated. Cellular immune response was evaluated by flow cytometry and Luminex immunoassays. Results: In the severe group, hypertension was the only reported comorbidity. Non severe patients have activated memory naive CD4+ T cells. Critically ill patients have central memory CD4+ T cell activation. Severe COVID-19 patients have both central memory and activated effector CD8+ T cells. Non-severe COVID-19 cases showed an increase in IL1β, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF and severely ill patients had higher levels of the cytokines IL-6, IL-10 and CXCL8. Conclusions: The present work showed that different cellular responses are observed according to the COVID-19 severity in patients from Brazil an epicenter the pandemic in South America. Also, we notice that some cytokines can be used as predictive markers for the disease outcome, possibility implementation of strategies effective by health managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) comprise 13 hereditary neurodegenerative pathologies of very low frequency that affect individuals of all ages around the world. All NCLs share a set of symptoms that are similar to other diseases. The exhaustive collection of data from diverse sources (clinical, genetic, neurology, ophthalmology, etc.) would allow being able in the future to define this group with greater precision for a more efficient diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Despite the large amount of information worldwide, a detailed study of the characteristics of the NCLs in South America and the Caribbean region (SA&C) has not yet been done. Here, we aim to present and analyse the multidisciplinary evidence from all the SA&C with qualitative weighting and biostatistical evaluation of the casuistry. Seventy-one publications from seven countries were reviewed, and data from 261 individuals (including 44 individuals from the Cordoba cohort) were collected. Each NCL disease, as well as phenotypical and genetic data were described and discussed in the whole group. The CLN2, CLN6, and CLN3 disorders are the most frequent in the region. Eighty-seven percent of the individuals were 10 years old or less at the onset of symptoms. Seizures were the most common symptom, both at onset (51%) and throughout the disease course, followed by language (16%), motor (15%), and visual impairments (11%). Although symptoms were similar in all NCLs, some chronological differences could be observed. Sixty DNA variants were described, ranging from single nucleotide variants to large chromosomal deletions. The diagnostic odyssey was probably substantially decreased after medical education activities promoted by the pharmaceutical industry and parent organizations in some SA&C countries. There is a statistical deviation in the data probably due to the approval of the enzyme replacement therapy for CLN2 disease, which has led to a greater interest among the medical community for the early description of this pathology. As a general conclusion, it became clear in this work that the combined bibliographical/retrospective evaluation approach allowed a general overview of the multidisciplinary components and the epidemiological tendencies of NCLs in the SA&C region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilocus Sequence Typing has become a useful tool for the study of the genetic diversity and population structure of different organisms. In this study, a MLST approach with seven loci (CP47, MS5, MS9, MSC6-7, TP14, and gp60) was used to analyze the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum isolated from 28 Colombian patients. Five Cryptosporidium species were identified: C. hominis, C. parvum, Cryptosporidium felis, Cryptosporidium meleagridis, and Cryptosporidium suis. Unilocus gp60 analysis identified four allelic families for C. hominis (Ia, Ib, Id, and Ie) and two for C. parvum (IIa and IIc). There was polymorphic behavior of all markers evaluated for both C. hominis and C. parvum, particularly with the CP47, MS5, and gp60 markers. Phylogenetic analysis with consensus sequences (CS) of the markers showed a taxonomic agreement with the results obtained with the 18S rRNA and gp60 gene. Additionally, two monophyletic clades that clustered the species C. hominis and C. parvum were detected, with a higher number of subclades within the monophyletic groups compared to those with the gp60 gene. Thirteen MLG were identified for C. hominis and eight for C. parvum. Haplotypic and nucleotide diversity were detected, but only the latter was affected by the gp60 exclusion from the CS analysis. The gene fixation index showed an evolutionary closeness between the C. hominis samples and a less evolutionary closeness and greater sequence divergence in the C. parvum samples. Data obtained in this work support the implementation of MLST analysis in the study of the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium, considering the more detailed information that it provides, which may explain some genetic events that with an unilocus approach could not be established. This is the first multilocus analysis of the intra-specific variability of Cryptosporidium from humans in South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increased global cancer incidence rates have led to a growing demand for cancer diagnosis and treatment, as well as basic and clinical research on the subject. The expansion of clinical cancer trials beyond the borders of highly developed countries has aided the arrival of these assessments in South American countries. In this context, this study's objective is to highlight clinical cancer trial profiles developed and sponsored by pharmaceutical companies and conducted in South American countries from 2010 to 2020. Methods: This study comprises descriptive and retrospective research conducted following a search for clinical trials (phases I, II and III), registered at clinicaltrials.gov, carried out in Latin American countries and sponsored by pharmaceutical companies ("Argentina", "Brazil", "Chile", "Peru", "Colombia", "Ecuador", "Uruguay", "Venezuela", "Paraguay", "Bolivia"), registered between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2020. A total of 1451 clinical trials were retrieved, of which 200 trials unrelated to cancer were excluded and 646 duplicates were removed, leading to a final total of 605 clinical trials employing qualitative and quantitative analyses. Results: A 122% increase in the number of clinical trial registrations from 2010 to 2020 was noted, with a prevalence of phase III studies (431 trials of a total of 605). Lung (119), breast (100), leukemia (42), prostate (39) and melanoma (32) were the main cancers tested for new drugs. Conclusions: The data reported herein indicate the need for strategic basic and clinical research planning that considers South American epidemic cancer profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large rivers are usually associated with vicariance and diversification of terrestrial species, but little is known about these effects in overlooked areas from South America, like São Francisco River (SFR). In this study we tested this hypothesis by analyzing populations of Melipona mandacaia, an endemic stingless bee from Caatinga whose distribution is associated to SFR. The influence of the river width as a natural barrier to the gene flow among populations of M. mandacaia from both margins of SFR was inferred from genetic and morphometric data. Eleven microsatellite loci were amplified and 813 anterior right wings were used for geometric morphometrics. Most of the genetic variation (96.7%) in AMOVA was found within populations with evidence of low structuring (Fst = 0.032, p < 0.05). The Bayesian model and spatial analysis corroborated the lack of conspicuous genetic differentiation among samples. In morphometric analyses, the first four canonical variables explained 80.49% of the total variation. The cross-validation between populations from left and right margins revealed that about 55.44% of colonies were classified correctly. Thus, we conclude that the SFR should not be considered a natural geographic barrier to the gene flow in M. mandacaia. Implications for insect conservation: Estimates of genetic diversity and the lack genetic structure among populations separated by a putative geographic barrier are useful to the management and conservation strategies of stingless bees, particularly in relation to the translocation of bees and colonies from one site to another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pereskia aculeata Miller, is an unconventional food plant native to South America. This study aimed to investigate the influence of different ultrasonic extraction times (10, 20, 30, and 40 min) on the phytochemical profile, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of ethanolic extracts obtained from lyophilized Pereskia aculeate Miller (ora-pro-nobis) leaves, an under-researched plant. Morphological structure and chemical group evaluations were also conducted for the lyophilized P. aculeate leaves. The different extraction times resulted in distinct phenolic content and Antioxidant Activity (ATT) values. Different extraction time conditions resulted in phenolic compound contents ranging from 2.07 to 2.60 mg EAG.g−1 of extract and different ATT values. The ATT evaluated by DPPH was significantly higher (from 61.20 to 70.20 μM of TE.g−1 of extract) in extraction times of 30 and 40 min, respectively. For ABTS, it varied between 6.38 and 10.24 μM of TE.g−1 of extract and 24.34 and 32.12 μM ferrous sulp.g−1 of extract. All of the obtained extracts inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, particularly the treatment employing 20 min of extraction at the highest dilution (1.56 mg.mL−1). Although liquid chromatography analyses showed that chlorogenic acid was the primary compound detected for all extracts, Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry (PS-MS) suggested the extracts contained 53 substances, such as organic, fatty, and phenolic acids, sugars, flavonoids, terpenes, phytosterols, and other components. The PS-MS proved to be a valuable technique to obtain the P. aculeate leaves extract chemical profile. It was observed that the freeze-drying process enhanced the conservation of morphological structures of P. aculeate leaves, as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) identified carboxyl functional groups and proteins between the 1000 and 1500 cm−1 bands in the P. aculeate leaves, thus favoring water interaction and contributing to gel formation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate different times (10, 20, 30 and 40 min) for ultrasound extraction of P. aculeate leaves. The polyphenols improved extraction, and high antioxidant activity demonstrates the potential for applying P. aculeate leaves and their extract as functional ingredients or additives in the food and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The second wave of COVID-19 occurred in South America in early 2021 and was mainly driven by Gamma and Lambda variants. In this study, we aimed to describe the emergence and local genomic diversity of the SARS-CoV-2 Lambda variant in Argentina, from its initial entry into the country until its detection ceased. Molecular surveillance was conducted on 9356 samples from Argentina between October 2020 and April 2022, and sequencing, phylogenetic, and phylogeographic analyses were performed. Our findings revealed that the Lambda variant was first detected in Argentina in January 2021 and steadily increased in frequency until it peaked in April 2021, with continued detection throughout the year. Phylodynamic analyses showed that at least 18 introductions of the Lambda variant into the country occurred, with nine of them having evidence of onward local transmission. The spatial–-temporal reconstruction showed that Argentine clades were associated with Lambda sequences from Latin America and suggested an initial diversification in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires before spreading to other regions in Argentina. Genetic analyses of genome sequences allowed us to describe the mutational patterns of the Argentine Lambda sequences and detect the emergence of rare mutations in an immunocompromised patient. Our study highlights the importance of genomic surveillance in identifying the introduction and geographical distribution of the SARS-CoV-2 Lambda variant, as well as in monitoring the emergence of mutations that could be involved in the evolutionary leaps that characterize variants of concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Candida albicans and non-Candida albicans Candida species (NCACs) are known to colonize and invade various tissues, including the oral mucosa. In this work, we aimed to characterize mature biofilms of several Candida spp. clinical isolates (n = 33) obtained from the oral mucosa of children, adults, and elders of Eastern Europe and South America. Methods: Each strain was evaluated for its capacity to form biofilms in terms of total biomass using the crystal violet assay and for matrix components production (proteins and carbohydrates) using the BCA and phenol-sulfuric tests, respectively. The effect of different antifungals on biofilm formation was studied. Results: in the children's group, a predominance of C. krusei (81%) was observed, while, among adults, the main species was C. albicans (59%). Most strains showed a reduced response to antimicrobial drugs when in biofilm form (p < 0.01). Moreover, it was observed that strains isolated from children produced more matrix, with higher levels of protein and polysaccharides. Conclusions: children were more likely to be infected by NCACs than adults. More importantly, these NCACs were able to form biofilms richer in matrix components. This finding is of clinical importance, particularly in pediatric care, since stronger biofilms are highly associated with antimicrobial resistance, recurrent infections, and higher therapeutic failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]