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During the Formative period by the Late-Holocene (ca. 3000–1500 BP), semi-sedentary and sedentary human occupations had emerged in the oases, salares, and riverine systems in the central depression (2400–1000 masl) of the Atacama Desert, northern Chile (19–25°S). This hyperarid core was marginally occupied during the post-Pleistocene and middle Holocene droughts. Settlement on these lower belts was accompanied by a rise in humidity, the introduction of Andean crops, flourishment of Prosopis spp. (algarrobo) forests, and increasing integration of domestic camelid caravans. Here, we explore lowland husbandry within risk-spreading strategies, focusing on silvopastoralism and endozoochory between camelids and algarrobos. Analysis of camelid coprolites from seven archeological sites located in the Pampa del Tamarugal, Loa River, and Salar de Atacama found intense grinding from camelid chewing and indicated a ruminal digestive system. Abundant macro and microremains in the form of tissues, phytoliths, crystals, cell structures, and others, were identified as Prosopis, Atriplex, Schoenoplectus, Distichlis, and Phragmites. We conclude that camelids were foraging for Prosopis, although the rather low number of entire seeds preserved in the coprolites leads us to think that these herbivores might not have been the main vectors for the spread and germination of algarrobos. More samples and interdisciplinary studies are needed to comprehend the complex socioecological web in the shaping of these forests and the management of the Atacama Desert landscapes.

Background: \ud While there have been studies in adults reporting discordant empiric antibiotic treatment associated with poor outcomes, this area is relatively unexplored in children and neonates despite evidence of increasing resistance to recommended first-line treatment regimens.\ud \ud Methods: \ud Patient characteristics, antibiotic treatment, microbiology, and 30-day all-cause outcome from children

Varicella-zoster virus causes varicella (chicken-pox), mainly in young children. Most cases are mild but serious complications can occur, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to estimate the cost burden of varicella hospitalizations in two pediatric reference hospitals in Mexico. This retrospective observational study collected data on patients aged

Campylobacter jejuniandCampylobacter coliare the leading cause of food-related diarrhea worldwide. However, other campylobacteria such as otherCampylobacterspp.,Arcobacterspp. andHelicobacterspp. are also recognised as emerging pathogens, although they are not frequently isolated by traditional culturing methods. Moreover, Campylobacter spp. have become increasingly resistant to antibiotics due to antibiotic usage in animal and human medicine. It has been suggested that pet ownership increases the risk for campylobacteriosis. However, environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and poor sanitation conditions have also been associated with the highest rates of shedding among animals. This study assessed the faecal shedding of campylobacteria in an urban coastal area among 68 (66.0%) domestic animals, mainly dogs (n=61), and 35 (33.9%) wild animals belonging to 13 species and eight orders. None of them had symptoms of gastroenteritis and campylobacteria were detected by PCR in 21 samples (20.4%), while only six (5.8%) were detected by culturing, i.e.Campylobacter upsaliensis(n=4, dogs),C. jejuni(n=1, dog) andArcobacter butzleri(n=1, chicken). None of the isolates was resistant to ciprofloxacin, but two were resistant to erythromycin, i.e.A. butzleri(MIC=8 μg/ml) andC. upsaliensis(MIC=128 μg/ml). Regarding the virulence factors, only one isolate ofC. jejuniwas positive for cdtC and cadF genes and one isolate ofA. butzleriwas positive for cadF and ciaB genes. This is the first study to assess the faecal shedding of campylobacteria in animals from the urban coastal area of Valparaíso, Chile. AlthoughC. jejuniand other emerging campylobacteria were detected mainly from pet dogs and in a low rate, further investigations are needed to assess the potential transmission of these zoonotic bacteria or their antibiotic resistance between pets and owners., Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are the leading cause of food-related diarrhea worldwide. However, other campylobacteria such as other Campylobacter spp., Arcobacter spp. and Helicobacter spp. are also recognised as emerging pathogens, although they are not frequently isolated by traditional culturing methods. Moreover, Campylobacter spp. have become increasingly resistant to antibiotics due to antibiotic usage in animal and human medicine. It has been suggested that pet ownership increases the risk for campylobacteriosis. However, environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and poor sanitation conditions have also been associated with the highest rates of shedding among animals. This study assessed the faecal shedding of campylobacteria in an urban coastal area among 68 (66.0%) domestic animals, mainly dogs (n=61), and 35 (33.9%) wild animals belonging to 13 species and eight orders. None of them had symptoms of gastroenteritis and campylobacteria were detected by PCR in 21 samples (20.4%), while only six (5.8%) were detected by culturing, i.e. Campylobacter upsaliensis (n=4, dogs), C. jejuni (n=1, dog) and Arcobacter butzleri (n=1, chicken). None of the isolates was resistant to ciprofloxacin, but two were resistant to erythromycin, i.e. A. butzleri (MIC=8 μg/ml) and C. upsaliensis (MIC=128 μg/ml). Regarding the virulence factors, only one isolate of C. jejuni was positive for cdtC and cadF genes and one isolate of A. butzleri was positive for cadF and ciaB genes. This is the first study to assess the faecal shedding of campylobacteria in animals from the urban coastal area of Valparaíso, Chile. Although C. jejuni and other emerging campylobacteria were detected mainly from pet dogs and in a low rate, further investigations are needed to assess the potential transmission of these zoonotic bacteria or their antibiotic resistance between pets and owners.

Background Mucormycosis is a fungal infection caused by species of the Mucorales order. These microorganisms are angioinvasive, with rapid disease progression and potentially lethal in its rhinocerebral form. Case report We present the case of a 12-year-old female with trisomy 21, acute lymphoblastic leukemia and diabetes, with fever and neutropenia who developed rhinocerebral mucormicosis. After treatment with amphotericin B lipid complex and extensive surgery, disease progressed and posaconazole was added as salvage treatment with full remission of the infection. Four years after diagnosis the patient continues without relapse of mucormycosis or leukemia. Conclusions This case highlights the use of posaconazole as either monotherapy or combined therapy. Although it is still debated, it can be considered an option for salvage treatment in children with non-responding mucormycosis, despite lack of standard dosage in pediatric patients.

Pulverized immature fruits of Annona montana M. are commonly used for biomedical applications, especially in the treatment of dysentery. The aim of this study was to investigate whether hexane, ethyl acetate or methanol extracts of A. montana M. can be cytotoxic to human tumor cells or exhibit genotoxic effects on normal human cells. The organic extracts were shown to inhibit survival of tumor cells originating from human astrocytoma, breast, colon, lung and prostate cancers. Furthermore, they were found to induce DNA damage in normal human lymphocytes, as shown by comet assay. The genotoxic effects observed suggest that traditional folk medicines prepared from extracts of the immature fruit of A. montana should be used with caution.

We assessed the association between bloodstream infections (BSIs) and inpatient length of stay among pediatric cancer patients with febrile neutropenia in Mexico City. The estimated length of stay for BSIs was 19 days, which corresponded with a 100% (95% confidence limits, 60%-160%) relative increase in the length of stay compared with patients for whom no pathogen was identified. Feasible options for reducing the length of stay should be considered to alleviate patient and resource burden.