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

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

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

Impact of glucocorticoids on the incidence of lupus-related major organ damage: a systematic literature review and meta-regression analysis of longitudinal observational studies

OBJECTIVE: In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), disease activity and glucocorticoid (GC) exposure are known to contribute to irreversible organ damage. We aimed to examine the association between GC exposure and organ damage occurrence. METHODS: We conducted a literature search (PubMed (Medline), Embase and Cochrane January 1966–October 2021). We identified original longitudinal observational studies reporting GC exposure as the proportion of users and/or GC use with dose information as well as the occurrence of new major organ damage as defined in the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index. Meta-regression analyses were performed. Reviews, case-reports and studies with <5 years of follow-up, <50 patients, different outcomes and special populations were excluded. RESULTS: We selected 49 articles including 16 224 patients, 14 755 (90.9%) female with a mean age and disease duration of 35.1 years and of 37.1 months. The mean follow-up time was 104.9 months. For individual damage items, the average daily GC dose was associated with the occurrence of overall cardiovascular events and with osteoporosis with fractures. A higher average cumulative dose adjusted (or not)/number of follow-up years and a higher proportion of patients on GC were associated with the occurrence of osteonecrosis. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm associations of GC use with three specific damage items. In treating patients with SLE, our aim should be to maximise the efficacy of GC and to minimise their harms

Glucocorticoid use and factors associated with variability in this use in the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Inception Cohort

To describe glucocorticoid (GC) use in the SLICC inception cohort and to explore factors associated with GC use. In particular we aimed to assess temporal trends in GC use and to what extent physician-related factors may influence use. Patients were recruited within 15 months of diagnosis of SLE from 33 centres between 1999 and 2011 and continue to be reviewed annually. Descriptive statistics were used to detail oral and parenteral GC use. Cross sectional and longitudinal analyses were performed to explore factors associated with GC use at enrolment and over time. We studied 1700 patients with a mean (s.d.) follow-up duration of 7.26 (3.82) years. Over the entire study period, 1365 (81.3%) patients received oral GCs and 447 (26.3%) received parenteral GCs at some point. GC use was strongly associated with treatment centre, age, race/ethnicity, sex, disease duration and disease activity. There was no change in the proportion of patients on GCs or the average doses of GC used over time according to year of diagnosis. GCs remain a cornerstone in SLE management and there have been no significant changes in their use over the past 10-15 years. While patient and disease factors contribute to the variation in GC use, between-centre differences suggest that physician-related factors also contribute. Evidence-based treatment algorithms are needed to inform a more standardized approach to GC use in SL

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

dTip60 HAT Activity Controls Synaptic Bouton Expansion at the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction

Background: Histone acetylation of chromatin plays a key role in promoting the dynamic transcriptional responses in neurons that influence the neuroplasticity linked to cognitive ability, yet the specific histone acetyltransferases (HATs) that create such epigenetic marks remain to be elucidated. Methods and Findings: Here we use the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) as a well-characterized synapse model to identify HATs that control synaptic remodeling and structure. We show that the HAT dTip60 is concentrated both pre and post-synaptically within the NMJ. Presynaptic targeted reduction of dTip60 HAT activity causes a significant increase in synaptic bouton number that specifically affects type Is boutons. The excess boutons show a suppression of the active zone synaptic function marker bruchpilot, suggesting defects in neurotransmission function. Analysis of microtubule organization within these excess boutons using immunohistochemical staining to the microtubule associated protein futsch reveals a significant increase in the rearrangement of microtubule loop architecture that is required for bouton division. Moreover, a-tubulin acetylation levels of microtubules specifically extending into the terminal synaptic boutons are reduced in response to dTip60 HAT reduction. Conclusions: Our results are the first to demonstrate a causative role for the HAT dTip60 in the control of synaptic plasticity that is achieved, at least in part, via regulation of the synaptic microtubule cytoskeleton. These findings have implication