The monotopic quinone reductases from Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus, a Gram-positive bacterium, is an opportunistic pathogen and one of the most frequent causes for community acquired and nosocomial infections that has become a major public health threat due to the increased incidence of its drug resistance. Although being a prominent pathogen, its energetic metabolism is still underexplored, and its respiratory enzymes have been escaping attention. S. aureus can adapt to different environmental conditions by performing both aerobic and anaerobic respirations, which is particularly important as it frequently colonizes niches with different oxygen concentrations. This adaptability is derived from the composition of its respiratory chain, specifically from the presence of terminal electron acceptor reductases. The plasticity of S. aureus energy metabolism is enlarged by the ten quinone reductases encoded in its genome, eight of them being monotopic proteins. The role of these proteins is critical as they connect the different catabolic pathways to the respiratory chain. In this work, we identify, describe, and revise the monotopic quinone reductases present in S. aureus, providing an integrated view of its respiratory chain.

Sclerosing variant of well-differentiated testicular liposarcoma: a case report / Lipossarcoma testicular bem diferenciado com variante esclerosante: um relato de caso

ABSTRACT Testicular cancers are classified in germ cell and non-germ cell tumors, as well as, liposarcomas. We report the case of a patient with a large testicular liposarcoma, submitted to surgical treatment with excision of scrotal pouch and segment of the spermatic cord, and the left testicle, showing a good evolution. This report presents one of the first cases of a sclerosing variant of well-differentiated testicular liposarcoma, large in size and with no association with another cancer. Due to their location, the diagnosis is difficult and unusual. Complete tumor resection and regular medical follow-up show a good prognosis, less recurrence, and little cellular differentiation.

RESUMEN Los cánceres de testículo se clasifican en tumores de células germinales y células no germinales, así como en liposarcomas. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con un gran liposarcoma testicular, sometido a tratamiento quirúrgico con exéresis de la bolsa escrotal y segmento de cordón espermático y testículo izquierdo, con buena evolución. Este informe presenta uno de los primeros casos de una variante esclerosante de liposarcoma testicular bien diferenciado, de gran tamaño y sin asociación con otro cáncer. Debido a su ubicación, el diagnóstico es difícil e inusual. La resección completa del tumor y el seguimiento médico regular muestran un buen pronóstico, menor recidiva, y poca diferenciación celular.

RESUMO Os tumores testiculares são classificados em células germinativas e não germinativas, assim como os lipossarcomas. Relatamos o caso de um paciente com lipossarcoma testicular de grande dimensão submetido a tratamentos cirúrgicos com ressecção de bolsa escrotal e segmento do cordão espermático e do testículo esquerdo, apresentando boa evolução do quadro. O relato traz um dos primeiros casos de lipossarcoma testicular bem diferenciado com variante esclerosante, de grande dimensão e sem associação a outra neoplasia. Devido à localização, apresenta diagnóstico difícil e pouco habitual. Com a ressecção total do tumor e o acompanhamento médico regular, o paciente apresenta bom prognóstico, menor recidiva e pouca diferenciação celular.

Effects of pelvic floor muscle training in pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim is to verify the effectiveness of the pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) program in pregnant women, by analyzing the amount of urine leakage. DESIGN: Experimental study. LOCATION: Care units in the Vila Real district, Portugal. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-three pregnant women divided into an experimental group (EG) (n = 22) and a control group (CG) (n = 21). INTERVENTIONS: Both groups were evaluated in a predelivery stage (initial) and 6 months after delivery (final). The EG was given a PFMT exercise protocol with a duration of 6 weeks, applicable in classes and at home, another PFMT protocol for 9 weeks. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The strength of the pelvic floor muscle was measured by the Oxford Grading Scale and the amount of urine was assessed with a Pad test. Quality of life was measured by the King's Health Questionnaire and self-efficacy by the Broome Pelvic Muscle Self-Efficacy Scale. RESULTS: The loss of urine, significantly reduced from 0.86 ±â€Š0.83 to 0.50 ±â€Š0.67 in the EG (P = .021), whereas in the CG no significant change was observed. The degree of muscle contraction increased by 4.82 ±â€Š0.39 in EG and 3.95 ±â€Š0.67 in CG. The quality of life observed significant improvements in both groups (P < .05). As for self-efficacy, for the EG it improved significantly - initial (P = .001), final (P = .031), and for the CG the values remained the same. CONCLUSIONS: This PFMT protocol reduced urinary incontinence in pregnant women. The program allowed significant improvement in the quantity of urinary leakage and an increase in the strength of the pelvic floor muscle.