Bibliometric Analysis of Medicinal Plants’ Original Articles from Latin America and the Caribbean Region

The use of medicinal plants by health professionals and the general population is widespread in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region due to its cultural tradition and extensive biodiversity. We aimed to describe the scientific production of medicinal plants in LAC, using bibliometric and co-words analysis for original articles from three databases published from 1970 to 2020. We analyzed 14,397 original articles from Web of Science, Scielo, and LILACS databases. Annual scientific production of medicinal plants in LAC increased from 2000 to 2010 but remained constant. More than half of the included articles had authors from Brazilian institutions, but articles with authors from Cuban institutions had the highest rate of articles per million country inhabitants. LAC countries mostly collaborated with the United States and western Europe. Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil., Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.) DC., and Baccharis trimera (Less.) DC. are the most frequently mentioned medicinal plants. We observed the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumor, and antioxidant activity of medicinal plants assessed in these studies, mostly from basic and laboratory research. Overall, the scientific production of medicinal plants in LAC increased and assessed most of its main therapeutic effects. However, more efforts are needed to increase regional collaboration and promote clinical and translational research. These results could be valuable information for decision-makers and scientists to determine future research prioritization and funding

Velocity-space sensitivity of the time-of-flight neutron spectrometer at JET

The velocity-space sensitivities of fast-ion diagnostics are often described by so-called weight functions. Recently, we formulated weight functions showing the velocity-space sensitivity of the often dominant beam-target part of neutron energy spectra. These weight functions for neutron emission spectrometry (NES) are independent of the particular NES diagnostic. Here we apply these NES weight functions to the time-of-flight spectrometer TOFOR at JET. By taking the instrumental response function of TOFOR into account, we calculate time-of-flight NES weight functions that enable us to directly determine the velocity-space sensitivity of a given part of a measured time-of-flight spectrum from TOFOR

Effects of vaccination against COVID-19 on the emotional health of older adults

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the mental and emotional health of the elderly, especially those from low to middle-income countries. However, COVID-19 vaccination may reduce this influence. Therefore, we aimed to estimate the effect of vaccination against COVID-19 on the emotional health of older adults. Methods: We selected a national, random, and stratified sample of non-hospitalized adults aged 60 to 79 years from Peru who intended to receive or had already received the COVID-19 vaccine during recruitment. During June and July 2021, the assessed outcomes were the fear, anxiety, and worry about COVID-19, general anxiety, and depression at baseline and after a month. We estimated the adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for each altered emotional health outcomes in those who had one and two doses, compared with those who were not vaccinated using multilevel logistic regression with mixed effects. Results: We recruited 861 older adults with 20.8% of loss to follow-up. At baseline, 43.9% had received only one dose of the vaccine, and 49.1% had two doses. In the analysis during follow-up, those who had two doses had less fear (aOR: 0.19; CI 95%: 0.07 to 0.51) and anxiety to COVID-19 (aOR: 0.45; CI 95%: 0.22 to 0.89), compared to unvaccinated. We observed no effects in those with only one dose. Conclusions: Two doses of COVID-19 vaccination in older adults improves their perception of COVID-19 infection consequences. This information could be integrated into the vaccination campaign as an additional beneficial effect.Revisión por pare

CMS physics technical design report : Addendum on high density QCD with heavy ions

Peer reviewe

Systematics of the Oswaldoi Complex (Anopheles, Nyssorhynchus) in South America

Abstract Background Effective malaria control relies on accurate identification of those Anopheles mosquitoes responsible for the transmission of Plasmodium parasites. Anopheles oswaldoi s.l. has been incriminated as a malaria vector in Colombia and some localities in Brazil, but not ubiquitously throughout its Neotropical range. This evidence together with variable morphological characters and genetic differences supports that An. oswaldoi s.l. compromises a species complex. The recent fully integrated redescription of An. oswaldoi s.s. provides a solid taxonomic foundation from which to molecularly determine other members of the complex.\ud \ud \ud \ud Methods\ud DNA sequences of the Second Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS2 - rDNA) (n = 192) and the barcoding region of the Cytochrome Oxidase I gene (COI - mtDNA) (n = 110) were generated from 255 specimens of An. oswaldoi s.l. from 33 localities: Brazil (8 localities, including the lectotype series of An. oswaldoi), Ecuador (4), Colombia (17), Trinidad and Tobago (1), and Peru (3). COI sequences were analyzed employing the Kimura-two-parameter model (K2P), Bayesian analysis (MrBayes), Mixed Yule-Coalescent model (MYC, for delimitation of clusters) and TCS genealogies. Results\ud Separate and combined analysis of the COI and ITS2 data sets unequivocally supported four separate species: two previously determined (An. oswaldoi s.s. and An. oswaldoi B) and two newly designated species in the Oswaldoi Complex (An. oswaldoi A and An. sp. nr. konderi). The COI intra- and inter-specific genetic distances for the four taxa were non-overlapping, averaging 0.012 (0.007 to 0.020) and 0.052 (0.038 to 0.064), respectively. The concurring four clusters delineated by MrBayes and MYC, and four independent TCS networks, strongly confirmed their separate species status. In addition, An. konderi of Sallum should be regarded as unique with respect to the above. Despite initially being included as an outgroup taxon, this species falls well within the examined taxa, suggesting a combined analysis of these taxa would be most appropriate. Conclusions: Through novel data and retrospective comparison of available COI and ITS2 DNA sequences, evidence is shown to support the separate species status of An. oswaldoi s.s., An. oswaldoi A and An. oswaldoi B, and at least two species in the closely related An. konderi complex (An. sp. nr. konderi, An. konderi of Sallum). Although An. oswaldoi s.s. has never been implicated in malaria transmission, An. oswaldoi B is a confirmed vector and the new species An. oswaldoi A and An. sp. nr. konderi are circumstantially implicated, most likely acting as secondary vectors.This study formed part of the PhD study of FRL conducted at the Natural History Museum, London, and awarded from Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, Kent, U.K. This investigation received financial support from the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) (grant A50252 to YML), Canterbury Christ Church University (studentship to FRL). Additional funding was obtained through the Friends of the Natural History Museum, London to further the activities of the Mosquito Barcoding Initiative (to YML); the Consortium for the Barcode of Life (CBOL) (to YML and RCW) and the Sloane Foundation (to YML and RCW); the National Institute of Health (NIH), USA (grant 2R01AI054139 to Jan E. Conn) and COLCIENCIAS (grant 110134319196 to MLQ). We thank Dr. A. Papadopoulou for help with the MYC analysis and Dr. S. Mahamdallie for helpful suggestions and discussions during preparation of the manuscript.This manuscript was prepared in part whilst YML held a National Research Council Senior Research Associateship Award at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. This research was performed in part under a Memorandum of Understanding between the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and the Smithsonian Institution, with institutional support provided by both organizations. The material to be published reflects the views of the authors and should not be construed to represent those of the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense

Alineamiento de la producción científica a las prioridades de investigación en el Seguro Social de Salud del Perú: Propuesta de fortalecimiento y descentralización de la investigación: Propuesta de fortalecimiento y descentralización de la investigación

Background: One of the impact indicators of priorities in health research-setting is the scientific production that refers to these priorities. EsSalud raised nine priority research topics (PRT) and 20 priority research questions (PRQ) for the 2017-2019 period. We assess the alignment to these research priorities in the scientific articles published during the 2017-2020 period by EsSalud, and we characterize those financed by this institution. Material and Methods: Analysis of the scientific articles registered in the EsSalud scientific production database for the period 2017-2020. We used a standardized methodology and in duplicate to evaluate the alignment of a scientific article to the PRT and PRQ 2017-2019 of EsSalud. The evaluation of the alignment to the PRQs is only carried out in original articles and congress summaries. We report alignment frequencies to each PRT and PRQ, and we report the frequency of alignment to at least one PRT according to the articles' characteristics. In addition, the characteristics of the articles financed by EsSalud were reported. Results: 170 out of 1283 articles were aligned to at least one PRT. Eight of the twenty PRQs went unanswered. Articles with authors who belong to or received funding from IETSI-EsSalud had the highest alignment rate. Finally, the highly cited articles financed by EsSalud were mainly observational studies, clinical practice guidelines and systematic reviews. Conclusion: The articles published by EsSalud during 2017 to 2020 have low alignment with institutional research priorities. Furthermore, it is necessary a process of implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of research priorities in the institution.Introducción: Uno de los indicadores del impacto del establecimiento de prioridades en investigación en salud es la producción científica. EsSalud planteó nueve temas de investigación prioritarios (TIP) y 20 preguntas de investigación prioritarias (PIP) 2017-2019. Evaluamos el alineamiento a estas prioridades de investigación en los artículos científicos publicados con filiación de EsSalud durante 2017-2020, y caracterizamos aquellos financiados por esta institución. Material y Métodos: Análisis de los artículos científicos registrados en la base de datos de producción científica de EsSalud 2017-2020. Empleamos una metodología estandarizada y por duplicado para evaluar el alineamiento a los TIP y PIP 2017-2019 de EsSalud. La evaluación del alineamiento a las PIP sólo lo realizamos en artículos originales y resúmenes de congreso. Reportamos frecuencias de alineamiento a cada TIP y PIP, y frecuencia de alineamiento a por lo menos un TIP según características de los artículos. Además, se reportó las características de los artículos financiados por EsSalud. Resultados: Un total de 170 de 1283 artículos se alinearon a al menos un TIP. Ocho de las veinte PIP no fueron respondidas. Los artículos con autores que pertenecen o recibieron financiamiento del IETSI-EsSalud tuvieron la mayor tasa de alineación. Finalmente, los artículos financiados por EsSalud fueron principalmente estudios observacionales, guías de práctica clínica y revisiones sistemáticas. Conclusión: Los artículos científicos publicados con filiación de EsSalud durante el 2017 al 2020 tienen baja alineación con las prioridades de investigación de la institución. Por lo tanto, es necesario generar un proceso de gestión de implementación, seguimiento y evaluación de las prioridades de investigación en la institución

Genome-wide association analysis of dementia and its clinical endophenotypes reveal novel loci associated with Alzheimer's disease and three causality networks: The GR@ACE project

Introduction: Large variability among Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases might impact genetic discoveries and complicate dissection of underlying biological pathways. Methods: Genome Research at Fundacio ACE (GR@ACE) is a genome-wide study of dementia and its clinical endophenotypes, defined based on AD's clinical certainty and vascular burden. We assessed the impact of known AD loci across endophenotypes to generate loci categories. We incorporated gene coexpression data and conducted pathway analysis per category. Finally, to evaluate the effect of heterogeneity in genetic studies, GR@ACE series were meta-analyzed with additional genome-wide association study data sets. Results: We classified known AD loci into three categories, which might reflect the disease clinical heterogeneity. Vascular processes were only detected as a causal mechanism in probable AD. The meta-analysis strategy revealed the ANKRD31-rs4704171 and NDUFAF6-rs10098778 and confirmed SCIMP-rs7225151 and CD33-rs3865444. Discussion: The regulation of vasculature is a prominent causal component of probable AD. GR@ACE meta-analysis revealed novel AD genetic signals, strongly driven by the presence of clinical heterogeneity in the AD series

Cancer Risk in a Large Inception Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Cohort: Effects of Demographic Characteristics, Smoking, and Medications

Objective: To assess cancer risk factors in incident systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: Clinical variables and cancer outcomes were assessed annually among incident SLE patients. Multivariate hazard regression models (overall risk and most common cancers) included demographic characteristics and time-dependent medications (corticosteroids, antimalarial drugs, immunosuppressants), smoking, and the adjusted mean Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 score. Results: Among 1,668 patients (average 9 years follow-up), 65 cancers occurred: 15 breast, 10 nonmelanoma skin, 7 lung, 6 hematologic, 6 prostate, 5 melanoma, 3 cervical, 3 renal, 2 each gastric, head and neck, and thyroid, and 1 each rectal, sarcoma, thymoma, and uterine cancers. Half of the cancers (including all lung cancers) occurred in past/current smokers, versus one-third of patients without cancer. Multivariate analyses indicated that overall cancer risk was related primarily to male sex and older age at SLE diagnosis. In addition, smoking was associated with lung cancer. For breast cancer risk, age was positively associated and antimalarial drugs were negatively associated. Antimalarial drugs and higher disease activity were also negatively associated with nonmelanoma skin cancer risk, whereas age and cyclophosphamide were positively associated. Disease activity was associated positively with hematologic and negatively with nonmelanoma skin cancer risk. Conclusion: Smoking is a key modifiable risk factor, especially for lung cancer, in SLE. Immunosuppressive medications were not clearly associated with higher risk except for cyclophosphamide and nonmelanoma skin cancer. Antimalarials were negatively associated with breast cancer and nonmelanoma skin cancer risk. SLE activity was associated positively with hematologic cancer and negatively with nonmelanoma skin cancer. Since the absolute number of cancers was small, additional follow-up will help consolidate these findings

Retinal toxicity in a multinational inception cohort of patients with systemic lupus on hydroxychloroquine

Objective To evaluate hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)-related retinal toxicity in the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) inception cohort. Methods Data were collected at annual study visits between 1999 and 2019. We followed patients with incident SLE from first visit on HCQ (time zero) up to time of retinal toxicity (outcome), death, loss-to-follow-up or end of study. Potential retinal toxicity was identified from SLICC Damage Index scores; cases were confirmed with chart review. Using cumulative HCQ duration as the time axis, we constructed univariate Cox regression models to assess if covariates (ie, HCQ daily dose/kg, sex, race/ethnicity, age at SLE onset, education, body mass index, renal damage, chloroquine use) were associated with HCQ-related retinal toxicity. Results We studied 1460 patients (89% female, 52% white). Retinal toxicity was confirmed in 11 patients (incidence 1.0 per 1000 person-years, 0.8% overall). Average cumulative time on HCQ in those with retinal toxicity was 7.4 (SD 3.2) years; the first case was detected 4 years after HCQ initiation. Risk of retinal toxicity was numerically higher in older patients at SLE diagnosis (univariate HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.09). Conclusions This is the first assessment of HCQ and retinal disease in incident SLE. We did not see any cases of retinopathy within the first 4 years of HCQ. Cumulative HCQ may be associated with increased risk. Ophthalmology monitoring (and formal assessment of cases of potential toxicity, by a retinal specialist) remains important, especially in patients on HCQ for 10+ years, those needing higher doses and those of older age at SLE diagnosis