Endoparasitic infections in captive wild mammals under human care in San Luis Potosí, Mexico

Objective: Determine parasite prevalence, richness and load in wild mammals of Tangamanga I and II Parks in San Luis Potosí, SLP. Evaluate if infections are related to diet and/or climatic seasons. Design/methodology/approach: Analysis of fresh feces collected during three consecutive days in two sampling periods. Passive flotation techniques with sodium nitrate (qualitative) and McMaster (quantitative) were performed. Results: General prevalence observed was 36% (n=242). The parasite richness is formed by protozoa: Eimeria sp, Isospora sp and Cystoisospora sp; by the cestode Moniezia expansa and nematodes: Toxocara sp, Toxascaris sp, Ancylostoma sp/Uncinaria sp, Strongyloides sp, Trichuris suis and eggs from the Strongyles group. The parasite load observed in the case of protozoa ranged from 0 – 8,505 Oocysts per Gram of Feces, and from 0 – 1,400 Eggs per Gram of Feces in the case of helminths. Statistical analyzes showed that the prevalence of parasites does not depend on the climatic season, and only in Tangamanga II Park is the prevalence dependent on the diet (herbivores). Study limitations/implications: The preservation method used limits the coproparasitoscopic techniques that can be used (coproculture or coccidia sporulation). Findings/conclusions: The observed endoparasitic infections can be a potential risk to the health of animals, especially those of great genetic value (i.e., endangered species). In addition, the potentially zoonotic parasites observed represent a threat to the health of their keepers.Objective: To determine the prevalence, richness and parasitic load in wild mammals of Tangamanga I and II Parks in San Luis Potosí, SLP. To assess whether infections are related to the type of feeding and weather seasons. Design/methodology/approach: Analysis of fresh feces collected for three consecutive days at two sampling stations. Passive flotation techniques with sodium nitrate (qualitative) and McMaster (quantitative) were used. Results: The overall prevalence observed was 36% (n=242). The parasitic wealth is formed by protozoa: Eimeria sp., Isospora sp. and Cystoisospora sp.; by the cestode Moniezia expansa, nematodes: Toxocara sp., Toxascaris sp., Ancylostoma sp./Uncinaria sp., Strongyloides sp., Trichuris suis and Strongylid eggs. The parasite load in the case of protozoa was in the range of 0 – 8505 oocysts per gram of faeces, and 0 – 1400 eggs per gram of faeces in the case of helminths. Statistical analyses showed that the prevalence of parasites does not depend on the climatic season, and only in Tangamanga II Park is the prevalence dependent on the type of feeding (herbivores). Study limitations/implications: The conservation method used limits the stool test techniques that can be employed (stool culture or sporulation). Findings/conclusions: Endoparasitic infections can be a potential risk to the health of animals. In particular to those of great genetic value such as species threatened with extinction. In addition, the potentially zoonotic parasites observed pose a threat to the health of caregiver

Production and Immunogenicity Assessment of LTp50: An <i>Escherichia coli</i>-Made Chimeric Antigen Targeting S1- and S2-Epitopes from the SARS-CoV-2/BA.5 Spike Protein

Subunit vaccines stand as a leading approach to expanding the current portfolio of vaccines to fight against COVID-19, seeking not only to lower costs but to achieve long-term immunity against variants of concern and have the main attributes that could overcome the limitations of the current vaccines. Herein a chimeric protein targeting S1 and S2 epitopes, called LTp50, was designed as a convenient approach to induce humoral responses against SARS-CoV-2. LTp50 was produced in recombinant Escherichia coli using a conventional pET vector, recovering the expected antigen in the insoluble fraction. LTp50 was purified by chromatography (purity > 90%). The solubilization and refolding stages helped to obtain a stable protein amenable for vaccine formulation. LTp50 was adsorbed onto alum, resulting in a stable formulation whose immunogenic properties were assessed in BALB/c mice. Significant humoral responses against the S protein (BA.5 variant) were detected in mice subjected to three subcutaneous doses (10 µg) of the LTp50/alum formulation. This study opens the path for the vaccine formulation optimization using additional adjuvants to advance in the development of a highly effective anti-COVID-19 vaccine directed against the antigenic regions of the S protein, which are less prone to mutations

Sistema de Vigilância Integrada para Comunidades Contaminadas: uma task force para riscos sindémicos de saúde

The world is currently facing a pandemic and global challenges such as climate change, poverty, hunger, biodiversity loss, ocean acidification and inequalities. In this context, it follows that societies have forgotten a worrying old problem: pollution in all its shapes and forms. Thus, a plan must be devised to deal with the effects of chemical, physical and biological pollution. Such a strategy, however, should not ignore the syndemic caused by the interaction of pollution with the rest of the environmental, social, political, economic and health problems humanity has to deal with. Likewise, it should consider starting the intervention at the local scale, i.e. from the communities up. In this paper we present the conclusions of a series of collaborations that we have published in this journal, as well as our strategy for tackling polluting processes at the community level in highly vulnerable regions that we have named Humanitarian Scenarios, which include not only human communities but also the rest of nature’s living beings (Total Health scheme). We have called this initiative Integrated Monitoring System for Polluted Communities (SIVICCO) since it incorporates a set of concepts and tools for preventing the negative effects of pollution in all its forms and in all communities. SIVICCO is an integrated strategy but, above all, the expression of a new civic spirit based on the active participation of communities from a human rights perspective.Actualmente, el mundo enfrenta una pandemia y retos globales como el cambio climático, la pobreza, el hambre, la pérdida de la biodiversidad, la acidificación de los océanos y las desigualdades. En este contexto, se infiere que las sociedades hayan olvidado un problema antiguo y preocupante, la contaminación en todas sus formas. Es así entonces, que debe establecerse un plan para afrontar los efectos de la contaminación química, física y biológica. Sin embargo, dicha estrategia no debe ignorar la sindemia causada por la interacción de la contaminación con el resto de los problemas ambientales, sociales, políticos, económicos y sanitarios que enfrenta la humanidad. Asimismo, debe contemplar el reto de iniciar la intervención desde la escala local, es decir, desde la comunidad. En este trabajo, presentamos las conclusiones de una serie de colaboraciones que hemos publicado en esta revista. Así como una estrategia generada para intervenir procesos contaminantes a nivel comunitario en regiones de alta vulnerabilidad que hemos definido como Escenarios Humanitarios, incluyendo no solamente a las comunidades humanas, sino al resto de los seres vivos de la naturaleza (esquema de Salud Total). Esta iniciativa ha sido denominada como Sistema de Vigilancia Integrada para Comunidades Contaminadas (SIVICCO), ya que incorpora un conjunto de conceptos y herramientas para prevenir los efectos negativos de la contaminación en todas sus formas y en todas las comunidades. SIVICCO representa una estrategia integrada, pero sobre todo, la expresión de un nuevo civismo basado en la participación activa del colectivo comunitario con una perspectiva de derechos humanos.Atualmente, o mundo enfrenta uma pandemia e desafios globais, como as alterações climáticas, a pobreza, a fome, a perda de biodiversidade, a acidificação dos oceanos e as desigualdades. Neste contexto, infere-se que as sociedades esqueceram um problema antigo e preocupante, a poluição em todas as suas formas. Assim, deve ser estabelecido um plano para lidar com os efeitos da contaminação química, física e biológica. No entanto, esta estratégia não deve ignorar a sindemia causada pela interação da poluição com os demais problemas ambientais, sociais, políticos, económicos e de saúde que a humanidade enfrenta. Da mesma forma, deve contemplar o desafio de iniciar a intervenção a partir da escala local, ou seja, da comunidade. Neste trabalho, apresentamos as conclusões de uma série de colaborações que publicámos nesta revista. Assim como uma estratégia gerada para intervir em processos poluidores a nível comunitário em regiões de alta vulnerabilidade que definimos como Cenários Humanitários, incluindo não apenas comunidades humanas, mas também todos os seres vivos da natureza (esquema de Saúde Global). Essa iniciativa foi denominada de Sistema Vigilância Integrada para Comunidades Contaminadas (SIVICCO), pois incorpora um conjunto de conceitos e ferramentas para prevenir os efeitos negativos da poluição em todas as suas formas e em todas as comunidades. O SIVICCO representa uma estratégia integrada, mas sobretudo, a expressão de um novo civilismo baseado na participação ativa do grupo comunitário com uma perspetiva de direitos humanos

Cronótopos de uma nação distópica: o nascimento da "dependência" no México porfiriano tardio

Este artigo desenvolve uma nova abordagem sobre a antropologia e a história de fronteiras nacionais. Ele propõe uma tipologia e uma caracterização fenomenológica de duas formas de se atravessar a fronteira que surgiram paralelamente a uma nova relação de dependência econômica e política entre o México e os Estados Unidos da América no final do século XIX. Tais novas modalidades de se atravessar a fronteira envolvem o desenvolvimento de novos "cronótopos", ou seja, novas e concorrentes matrizes espaços-temporais que foram utilizadas para enquadrar a relação entre o México e os EUA. Este artigo analisa a qualidade, a natureza e o preço destas formas alternativas de historicidade por intermédio de uma análise detalhada de dois textos jornalísticos cruciais: a entrevista do General Porfírio Diaz por James Creelman (1908) e a reportagem de Kenneth Turner sobre a escravidão mexicana (1910).<br>This paper develops a novel approach to anthropology and history of international borders. It proposes a typology and a phenomenological characterization of two kinds of border crossings that emerged alongside the new relationship of economic and political dependency that developed between México and the United States in the last quarter of the 19th century. The new border crossings involved the development of new 'chronotopes', in other words new and competing spatial-temporal matrices, used to frame the relationship between México and the United States. This paper analyzes the quality, nature and stakes of these alternative forms of historicity by way of a close case study of two pivotal journalistic texts: James Creelman's (1908) interview of General Porfírio Diaz, and John Kenneth Turner's (1910) reportage and exposé of Mexican slavery

Historical and pre-historical tsunamis in the Mediterranean and its connected seas: Geological signatures, generation mechanisms and coastal impacts

The origin of tsunamis in the Mediterranean region and its connected seas, including the Marmara Sea, the Black Sea and the SW Iberian Margin in the NE Atlantic Ocean, is reviewed within the geological and seismotectonic settings of the region. A variety of historical documentary sources combined with evidence from onshore and offshore geological signatures, geomorphological imprints, observations from selected coastal archeological sites, as well as instrumental records, eyewitnesses accounts and pictorial material, clearly indicate that tsunami sources both seismic and non-seismic (e.g. volcanism, landslides) can be found in all the seas of the region with a variable tsunamigenic potential. Local, regional and basin-wide tsunamis have been documented. An improved map of 22 main tsunamigenic zones and their relative potential for tsunami generation is presented. From west to east, the most important tsunamigenic zones are situated offshore SW Iberia, in the North Algerian margin, in the Tyrrhenian Calabria and Messina Straits, in the western and eastern segments of the Hellenic Arc, in the Corinth Gulf of Central Greece, in the Levantine Sea offshore the Dead Sea Transform Fault and in the eastern side of the Marmara Sea. Important historical examples, including destructive tsunamis associated with large earthquakes, are presented. The mean recurrence of strong tsunamis in the several basins varies greatly but the highest event frequency (1/96 years) is observed in the east Mediterranean basin. For most of the historical events it is still unclear which was the causative seismic source and if the tsunami was caused by co-seismic slip, by earthquake-triggered submarine landslides or by a combination of both mechanisms. In pre-historical times, submarine volcanic eruptions (i.e. caldera collapse, massive pyroclastic flows, volcanogenic landslides) and large submarine landslides caused important tsunamis although little is known about their source mechanisms. We conclude that further investigation of the tsunami generation mechanisms is of primary importance in the Mediterranean region. Inputs from tsunami numerical modeling as well as from empirical discrimination criteria for characterizing tsunami sources have been proved particularly effective for recent, well-documented, aseismic landslide tsunamis (e.g., 1963 Corinth Gulf, 1979 Cote d'Azur, 1999 Izmit Bay, 2002 Stromboli volcano). Since the tsunami generation mechanisms are controlled by a variety of factors, and given that the knowledge of past tsunami activity is the cornerstone for undertaking tsunami risk mitigation action, future interdisciplinary research efforts on past tsunamis are needed

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 licenseBackground: Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide. Methods: A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study—a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3·85 [95% CI 2·58–5·75]; p<0·0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63·0% vs 82·7%; OR 0·35 [0·23–0·53]; p<0·0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer. Interpretation: Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised. Funding: National Institute for Health and Care Research