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The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a group of Gram-negative opportunistic bacteria often associated with fatal pulmonary infections in patients with impaired immunity, particularly those with cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). Some Bcc strains are known to naturally produce pyomelanin, a brown melanin-like pigment known for scavenging free radicals; pigment production has been reported to enable Bcc strains to overcome the host cell oxidative burst. In this work, we investigated the role of pyomelanin in resistance to oxidative stress and virulence in strains J2315 and K56-2, two epidemic CF isolates belonging to the Burkholderia cenocepacia ET-12 lineage. We previously reported that a single amino acid change from glycine to arginine at residue 378 in homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase (HmgA) affects the pigment production phenotype: pigmented J2315 has an arginine at position 378, while non-pigmented K56-2 has a glycine at this position. Herein, we performed allelic exchange to generate isogenic non-pigmented and pigmented strains of J2315 and K56-2, respectively, and tested these to determine whether pyomelanin contributes to the protection against oxidative stress in vitro as well as in a respiratory infection in CGD mice in vivo. Our results indicate that the altered pigment phenotype does not significantly impact these strains' ability to resist oxidative stress with H2O2 and NO in vitro and did not change the virulence and infection outcome in CGD mice in vivo suggesting that other factors besides pyomelanin are contributing to the pathophysiology of these strains.IMPORTANCEThe Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a group of Gram-negative opportunistic bacteria that are often associated with fatal pulmonary infections in patients with impaired immunity, particularly those with cystic fibrosis and chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). Some Bcc strains are known to naturally produce pyomelanin, a brown melanin-like pigment known for scavenging free radicals and overcoming the host cell oxidative burst. We investigated the role of pyomelanin in Burkholderia cenocepacia strains J2315 (pigmented) and K56-2 (non-pigmented) and performed allelic exchange to generate isogenic non-pigmented and pigmented strains, respectively. Our results indicate that the altered pigment phenotype does not significantly impact these strains' ability to resist H2O2 or NO in vitro and did not alter the outcome of a respiratory infection in CGD mice in vivo. These results suggest that pyomelanin may not always constitute a virulence factor and suggest that other features are contributing to the pathophysiology of these strains.
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Infecciones por Burkholderia , Burkholderia cenocepacia , Enfermedad Granulomatosa Crónica , Homogentisato 1,2-Dioxigenasa , Melaninas , Animales , Femenino , Humanos , Ratones , Proteínas Bacterianas/genética , Proteínas Bacterianas/metabolismo , Burkholderia cenocepacia/genética , Burkholderia cenocepacia/patogenicidad , Burkholderia cenocepacia/metabolismo , Infecciones por Burkholderia/microbiología , Fibrosis Quística/microbiología , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Enfermedad Granulomatosa Crónica/microbiología , Enfermedad Granulomatosa Crónica/genética , Homogentisato 1,2-Dioxigenasa/genética , Homogentisato 1,2-Dioxigenasa/metabolismo , Pulmón/microbiología , Pulmón/patología , Melaninas/metabolismo , Mutación , Estrés Oxidativo , Virulencia/genéticaRESUMEN
Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease, caused by some species within the Brucella genus. The primary and secondary objectives of this cross-sectional study were to determine the seroprevalence of Brucella antibodies in humans and cows and identify risk factors for exposure to Brucella spp. among people in Shahjadpur sub-district, Bangladesh. Twenty-five villages were randomly selected from the 303 milk-producing villages in the sub-district. We randomly selected 5% of the total households from each village. At each household, we collected demographic information and history of potential exposure to Brucella spp. in humans. In addition, we collected serum from household participants and serum and milk from cattle and tested to detect antibodies to Brucella sp. Univariate analysis was performed to detect associations between seropositivity and demographics, risk factors, and behaviors in households. We enrolled 647 households, 1313 humans, and 698 cows. Brucella antibodies were detected in sera from 27 household participants (2.1%, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.2-2.9%). Eleven (1.6%, 95%CI 0.6-2.4%) cows had detectable Brucella antibodies in either milk or serum. About half (53%) of the 698 cows exhibited more than one reproductive problem within the past year; of these, seven (2%) had Brucella antibodies. Households with seropositive individuals more frequently reported owning cattle (78% vs. 32%, P < 0.001). Despite a low prevalence of Brucella seropositivity in the study, the public health importance of brucellosis cannot be ruled out. Further studies would help define Brucella prevalence and risk factors in this region and nationally.
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Brucella , Brucelosis , Femenino , Humanos , Animales , Bovinos , Leche , Estudios Transversales , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Bangladesh/epidemiología , Brucelosis/epidemiología , Brucelosis/veterinaria , Anticuerpos Antibacterianos , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
Individualised management of obesity remains challenging and, to date, most treatment is based on clinical judgement. This study aimed to develop and validate a novel questionnaire-based tool to identify three pre-defined eating behavior (EB) traits, emotional eating, reduced satiety (constant hunger) and reduced satiation (feasters) that may predict selective medication response given their targeted actions. We recruited 977 individuals from a tertiary academic diabetes clinic to participate in this two-phase validation study. Participants self-reported weight management activities and were asked to self-assess their EB characteristics. The initial questionnaire included 42 visual analogue scale questions. In Phase I, 729 participants completed the questionnaire, including Maori (11.8%) and Pacific peoples (19.3%). After random division of the study sample, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) confirmed a three-factor model as the best fit. Stepwise removal of items with inadequate factor loading retained 27 of 42 items, which accounted for 96% of the variance. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), performed on the second half of the sample, demonstrated good model fit with the final 27-item questionnaire. Internal consistency was high for factor (α = 0.82-0.95) and demographic subgroups, and similar to those obtained in the EFA. Test-retest reliability in a subset of 399 participants who repeated the questionnaire after a four-week interval (Phase II) showed moderate to good reliability. Participants classified into one of three EB types based on the highest median score among the factors. Test-retest reliability was robust for emotional eaters (71.25%) and constant hunger (68.9%). The correlation between aggregate EB score (sum of three EB scores) and BMI was significant (Spearman rho = 0.314, P = .0005). The questionnaire reliably identified three distinct EB traits, which may be informative for precision medicine applications for obesity management.
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Introduction: Lung infections are associated with a high mortality rate in immunocompromised patients. Achieving an accurate and rapid diagnosis is vital to help guide management, and thus improve survival. Objective: To establish the diagnostic yield, clinical value, and safety of bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in immunocompromised adult patients with pulmonary infiltrates. Methods: This retrospective study included all immunocompromised adult patients who underwent bronchoscopy with BAL for investigation of radiologically confirmed pulmonary infiltrates at a tertiary care hospital between January 01, 2014, and June 30, 2021. Clinically significant findings of BAL were defined as a positive microbiological result of a potential pathogen determined using routine culture, acid-fast bacilli smear, mycobacterial culture, tuberculosis PCR, fungal culture, Aspergillus antigen, and multiplex PCR panel and/or positive cytology. Results: A total of 103 unique patients were included (mean ± SD age: 44.5 ± 14.1 years), of which the majority were male (60.2%). The BAL diagnostic yield was 52.4% (95% CI: 42.6-62.2%). In the multiple logistic regression model, positive BAL was predicted by symptom of sputum (aOR 4.01, 95% CI: 1.27-12.70, P = 0.018). Almost half of the procedures (43.7%, 95% CI: 33.9-53.4%) resulted in a change in the management plan, with positive BAL findings more than twice as likely to result in a change (OR 2.39, 95% CI: 1.07-5.33, P = 0.033). Only three (2.9%) procedures resulted in complications and required ventilator support and/or oxygen escalation. Conclusions: BAL is a safe clinical tool that can be useful in impacting clinical management in a significant proportion of immunocompromised patients with pulmonary infiltrates.
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BACKGROUND: Unrest in Myanmar in August 2017 resulted in the movement of over 700,000 Rohingya refugees to overcrowded camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. A large outbreak of diphtheria subsequently began in this population. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Data were collected during mass vaccination campaigns (MVCs), contact tracing activities, and from 9 Diphtheria Treatment Centers (DTCs) operated by national and international organizations. These data were used to describe the epidemiological and clinical features and the control measures to prevent transmission, during the first 2 years of the outbreak. Between November 10, 2017 and November 9, 2019, 7,064 cases were reported: 285 (4.0%) laboratory-confirmed, 3,610 (51.1%) probable, and 3,169 (44.9%) suspected cases. The crude attack rate was 51.5 cases per 10,000 person-years, and epidemic doubling time was 4.4 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.2-4.7) during the exponential growth phase. The median age was 10 years (range 0-85), and 3,126 (44.3%) were male. The typical symptoms were sore throat (93.5%), fever (86.0%), pseudomembrane (34.7%), and gross cervical lymphadenopathy (GCL; 30.6%). Diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) was administered to 1,062 (89.0%) out of 1,193 eligible patients, with adverse reactions following among 229 (21.6%). There were 45 deaths (case fatality ratio [CFR] 0.6%). Household contacts for 5,702 (80.7%) of 7,064 cases were successfully traced. A total of 41,452 contacts were identified, of whom 40,364 (97.4%) consented to begin chemoprophylaxis; adherence was 55.0% (N = 22,218) at 3-day follow-up. Unvaccinated household contacts were vaccinated with 3 doses (with 4-week interval), while a booster dose was administered if the primary vaccination schedule had been completed. The proportion of contacts vaccinated was 64.7% overall. Three MVC rounds were conducted, with administrative coverage varying between 88.5% and 110.4%. Pentavalent vaccine was administered to those aged 6 weeks to 6 years, while tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered to those aged 7 years and older. Lack of adequate diagnostic capacity to confirm cases was the main limitation, with a majority of cases unconfirmed and the proportion of true diphtheria cases unknown. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the largest reported diphtheria outbreak in refugee settings. We observed that high population density, poor living conditions, and fast growth rate were associated with explosive expansion of the outbreak during the initial exponential growth phase. Three rounds of mass vaccinations targeting those aged 6 weeks to 14 years were associated with only modestly reduced transmission, and additional public health measures were necessary to end the outbreak. This outbreak has a long-lasting tail, with Rt oscillating at around 1 for an extended period. An adequate global DAT stockpile needs to be maintained. All populations must have access to health services and routine vaccination, and this access must be maintained during humanitarian crises.
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Difteria/epidemiología , Brotes de Enfermedades/prevención & control , Brotes de Enfermedades/estadística & datos numéricos , Salud Pública , Vacunación/estadística & datos numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Bangladesh/epidemiología , Niño , Preescolar , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Campos de Refugiados , Refugiados , Estudios Retrospectivos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
In the summer of 2017, an estimated 745,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh in what has been described as one of the largest and fastest growing refugee crises in the world. Among numerous health concerns, an outbreak of acute jaundice syndrome (AJS) was detected by the disease surveillance system in early 2018 among the refugee population. This paper describes the investigation into the increase in AJS cases, the process and results of the investigation, which were strongly suggestive of a large outbreak due to hepatitis A virus (HAV). An enhanced serological investigation was conducted between 28 February to 26 March 2018 to determine the etiologies and risk factors associated with the outbreak. A total of 275 samples were collected from 18 health facilities reporting AJS cases. Blood samples were collected from all patients fulfilling the study specific case definition and inclusion criteria, and tested for antibody responses using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Out of the 275 samples, 206 were positive for one of the agents tested. The laboratory results confirmed multiple etiologies including 154 (56%) samples tested positive for hepatitis A, 1 (0.4%) positive for hepatitis E, 36 (13%) positive for hepatitis B, 25 (9%) positive for hepatitis C, and 14 (5%) positive for leptospirosis. Among all specimens tested 24 (9%) showed evidence of co-infections with multiple etiologies. Hepatitis A and E are commonly found in refugee camps and have similar clinical presentations. In the absence of robust testing capacity when the epidemic was identified through syndromic reporting, a particular concern was that of a hepatitis E outbreak, for which immunity tends to be limited, and which may be particularly severe among pregnant women. This report highlights the challenges of identifying causative agents in such settings and the resources required to do so. Results from the month-long enhanced investigation did not point out widespread hepatitis E virus (HEV) transmission, but instead strongly suggested a large-scale hepatitis A outbreak of milder consequences, and highlighted a number of other concomitant causes of AJS (acute hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Leptospirosis), albeit most likely at sporadic level. Results strengthen the need for further water and sanitation interventions and are a stark reminder of the risk of other epidemics transmitted through similar routes in such settings, particularly dysentery and cholera. It also highlights the need to ensure clinical management capacity for potentially chronic conditions in this vulnerable population.
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Brotes de Enfermedades , Virus de la Hepatitis A/aislamiento & purificación , Hepatitis A/epidemiología , Ictericia/epidemiología , Adolescente , Bangladesh/epidemiología , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Hepacivirus/genética , Hepacivirus/patogenicidad , Hepatitis A/sangre , Hepatitis A/virología , Virus de la Hepatitis A/patogenicidad , Hepatitis B/sangre , Hepatitis B/epidemiología , Hepatitis B/virología , Virus de la Hepatitis B/genética , Virus de la Hepatitis B/patogenicidad , Hepatitis C/sangre , Hepatitis C/epidemiología , Hepatitis C/virología , Hepatitis E/sangre , Hepatitis E/epidemiología , Hepatitis E/virología , Virus de la Hepatitis E/genética , Virus de la Hepatitis E/patogenicidad , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Ictericia/sangre , Ictericia/patología , Ictericia/virología , Leptospirosis/sangre , Leptospirosis/epidemiología , Leptospirosis/parasitología , Leptospirosis/patología , Masculino , Embarazo , Campos de Refugiados , Refugiados , Factores de Riesgo , Poblaciones VulnerablesRESUMEN
Rat bite fever (RBF) caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis has been described as a diagnostic challenge. While it has a favorable prognosis with treatment, timely diagnosis is hindered by the lack of culture-free identification methods. Here we present a multiplex real-time PCR assay that detects the zoonotic Streptobacillus spp. as well as differentiate the primary causative agent of RBF, Streptobacillus moniliformis. The performance of this assay was evaluated using mock clinical specimens for blood, serum, and urine. Analytical sensitivity was determined to be 3-4 genome equivalents (GE)/µl for the zoonotic Streptobacillus spp. target, and 1-2 GE/µl for the S. moniliformis specific target. The assay correctly detected only the intended targets with no cross-reactivity identified. The pathogen was detected in all spiked matrices and not detected in the negative non-spiked specimens. This rapid diagnostic assay may permit quicker diagnosis of RBF patients.
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Zoonosis Bacterianas/microbiología , Fiebre por Mordedura de Rata/microbiología , Reacción en Cadena en Tiempo Real de la Polimerasa/métodos , Streptobacillus/clasificación , Streptobacillus/aislamiento & purificación , Animales , Clonación Molecular , Humanos , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Especificidad de la EspecieRESUMEN
We have previously demonstrated that checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2) is a critical negative regulator of androgen receptor (AR) transcriptional activity, prostate cancer (PCa) cell growth, and androgen sensitivity. We have now uncovered that the AR directly interacts with CHK2 and ionizing radiation (IR) increases this interaction. This IR-induced increase in AR-CHK2 interactions requires AR phosphorylation and CHK2 kinase activity. PCa associated CHK2 mutants with impaired kinase activity reduced IR-induced AR-CHK2 interactions. The destabilization of AR - CHK2 interactions induced by CHK2 variants impairs CHK2 negative regulation of cell growth. CHK2 depletion increases transcription of DNAPK and RAD54, increases clonogenic survival, and increases resolution of DNA double strand breaks. The data support a model where CHK2 sequesters the AR through direct binding decreasing AR transcription and suppressing PCa cell growth. CHK2 mutation or loss of expression thereby leads to increased AR transcriptional activity and survival in response to DNA damage.
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Quinasa de Punto de Control 2/metabolismo , Neoplasias de la Próstata/metabolismo , Receptores Androgénicos/metabolismo , Línea Celular Tumoral , Supervivencia Celular , Quinasa de Punto de Control 2/genética , Reparación del ADN , Humanos , Inmunoprecipitación , Masculino , Fosforilación , Unión Proteica , Radiación IonizanteRESUMEN
Nosocomial infections of Elizabethkingia species can have fatal outcomes if not identified and treated properly. The current diagnostic tools available require culture and isolation, which can extend the reporting time and delay treatment. Using comparative genomics, we developed an efficient multiplex real-time PCR for the simultaneous detection of all known species of Elizabethkingia, as well as differentiating the two most commonly reported species, Elizabethkingia anophelis and Elizabethkingia meningoseptica.
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Flavobacteriaceae/clasificación , Flavobacteriaceae/aislamiento & purificación , Genómica , Técnicas de Diagnóstico Molecular/métodos , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa Multiplex/métodos , ADN Bacteriano/aislamiento & purificación , Infecciones por Flavobacteriaceae/microbiología , Genoma Bacteriano , Humanos , Filogenia , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Análisis de Secuencia de ADNRESUMEN
While complex intra- and interspecies microbial community dynamics are apparent during chronic infections and likely alter patient health outcomes, our understanding of these interactions is currently limited. For example, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are often found to coinfect the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), yet these organisms compete under laboratory conditions. Recent observations that coinfection correlates with decreased health outcomes necessitate we develop a greater understanding of these interbacterial interactions. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that P. aeruginosa and/or S. aureus adopts phenotypes that allow coexistence during infection. We compared competitive interactions of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus isolates from mono- or coinfected CF patients employing in vitro coculture models. P. aeruginosa isolates from monoinfected patients were more competitive toward S. aureus than P. aeruginosa isolates from coinfected patients. We also observed that the least competitive P. aeruginosa isolates possessed a mucoid phenotype. Mucoidy occurs upon constitutive activation of the sigma factor AlgT/U, which regulates synthesis of the polysaccharide alginate and dozens of other secreted factors, including some previously described to kill S. aureus Here, we show that production of alginate in mucoid strains is sufficient to inhibit anti-S. aureus activity independent of activation of the AlgT regulon. Alginate reduces production of siderophores, 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinolone-N-oxide (HQNO), and rhamnolipids-each required for efficient killing of S. aureus These studies demonstrate alginate overproduction may be an important factor driving P. aeruginosa coinfection with S. aureusIMPORTANCE Numerous deep-sequencing studies have revealed the microbial communities present during respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are diverse, complex, and dynamic. We now face the challenge of determining the influence of these community dynamics on patient health outcomes and identifying candidate targets to modulate these interactions. We make progress toward this goal by determining that the polysaccharide alginate produced by mucoid strains of P. aeruginosa is sufficient to inhibit multiple secreted antimicrobial agents produced by this organism. Importantly, these secreted factors are required to outcompete S. aureus, when the microbes are grown in coculture; thus we propose a mechanism whereby mucoid P. aeruginosa can coexist with S. aureus Finally, the approach used here can serve as a platform to investigate the interactions among other CF pathogens.
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Alginatos/metabolismo , Coinfección/microbiología , Interacciones Microbianas , Infecciones por Pseudomonas/complicaciones , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/crecimiento & desarrollo , Infecciones Estafilocócicas/complicaciones , Staphylococcus aureus/crecimiento & desarrollo , Fibrosis Quística/complicaciones , Ácido Glucurónico/metabolismo , Ácidos Hexurónicos/metabolismo , Humanos , Modelos Teóricos , Infecciones por Pseudomonas/microbiología , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/metabolismo , Infecciones del Sistema Respiratorio , Infecciones Estafilocócicas/microbiologíaRESUMEN
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, and curing metastatic disease remains a significant challenge. Nearly all patients with disseminated prostate cancer initially respond to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), but virtually all patients will relapse and develop incurable castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). A high-throughput RNAi screen to identify signaling pathways regulating prostate cancer cell growth led to our discovery that checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2) knockdown dramatically increased prostate cancer growth and hypersensitized cells to low androgen levels. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the effects of CHK2 were dependent on the downstream signaling proteins CDC25C and CDK1. Moreover, CHK2 depletion increased androgen receptor (AR) transcriptional activity on androgen-regulated genes, substantiating the finding that CHK2 affects prostate cancer proliferation, partly, through the AR. Remarkably, we further show that CHK2 is a novel AR-repressed gene, suggestive of a negative feedback loop between CHK2 and AR. In addition, we provide evidence that CHK2 physically associates with the AR and that cell-cycle inhibition increased this association. Finally, IHC analysis of CHK2 in prostate cancer patient samples demonstrated a decrease in CHK2 expression in high-grade tumors. In conclusion, we propose that CHK2 is a negative regulator of androgen sensitivity and prostate cancer growth, and that CHK2 signaling is lost during prostate cancer progression to castration resistance. Thus, perturbing CHK2 signaling may offer a new therapeutic approach for sensitizing CRPC to ADT and radiation.
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Andrógenos/metabolismo , Quinasa de Punto de Control 2/metabolismo , Neoplasias de la Próstata Resistentes a la Castración/metabolismo , Neoplasias de la Próstata Resistentes a la Castración/patología , Proteína Quinasa CDC2 , Procesos de Crecimiento Celular/fisiología , Línea Celular Tumoral , Quinasas Ciclina-Dependientes/metabolismo , Humanos , Masculino , Neoplasias de la Próstata Resistentes a la Castración/enzimología , Neoplasias de la Próstata Resistentes a la Castración/genética , Receptores Androgénicos/genética , Receptores Androgénicos/metabolismo , Transcripción Genética , Fosfatasas cdc25/metabolismoRESUMEN
We analyzed how land-use patterns and changes in urbanization influence reported rabid raccoons in Georgia from 2006 - 2010. Using Geographical Information Systems and rabies surveillance data, multivariate analysis was conducted on 15 land-use variables that included natural topography, agricultural development, and urbanization to model positive raccoon rabies cases while controlling for potential raccoon submission bias associated with higher human population densities. Low intensity residential development was positively associated with reported rabid raccoons while a negative association was found with evergreen forest. Evergreen forests may offer a barrier effect where resources are low and raccoon populations are not supported. Areas with pure stands of upland evergreen forest might be utilized in baiting strategies for oral rabies vaccination programs where fewer or no baits may be needed. Their use as a barrier should be considered carefully in a cost-effective strategy for oral rabies vaccination (ORV) programs to contain the western spread of this important zoonotic disease.
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Microbial interactions are important for the success and safety of food fermentations. Although much indispensable work has described the microbial succession in various fermentations, little is known about how the microbes present interact. Here, we discuss the various mechanisms of microbial interaction from trophic interactions to cell signaling. We also examine the role these interactions play in the dominant microbiota associated with various food fermentations.
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Fermentación , Microbiología de Alimentos , Inocuidad de los Alimentos , Interacciones Microbianas , Animales , Bacteriocinas , Productos Lácteos Cultivados/microbiología , Ácidos Grasos , Lactococcus/fisiología , Carne/microbiología , Saccharomyces/fisiología , Transducción de Señal , Verduras/microbiología , Vino/microbiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: From 2003 to 2008, a total of 25 cross-sector, multidisciplinary community partnerships funded through the Active Living by Design (ALbD) national program designed, planned, and implemented policy and environmental changes, with complementary programs and promotions. PURPOSE: This paper describes the use of concept mapping methods to gain insights into promising active living intervention strategies based on the collective experience of community representatives implementing ALbD initiatives. METHODS: Using Concept Systems software, community representatives (n=43) anonymously generated actions and changes in their communities to support active living (183 original statements, 79 condensed statements). Next, respondents (n=26, from 23 partnerships) sorted the 79 statements into self-created categories, or active living intervention approaches. Respondents then rated statements based on their perceptions of the most important strategies for creating community changes (n=25, from 22 partnerships) and increasing community rates of physical activity (n=23, from 20 partnerships). Cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling were used to describe data patterns. RESULTS: ALbD community partnerships identified three active living intervention approaches with the greatest perceived importance to create community change and increase population levels of physical activity: changes to the built and natural environment, partnership and collaboration efforts, and land-use and transportation policies. The relative importance of intervention approaches varied according to subgroups of partnerships working with different populations. CONCLUSIONS: Decision makers, practitioners, and community residents can incorporate what has been learned from the 25 community partnerships to prioritize active living policy, physical project, promotional, and programmatic strategies for work in different populations and settings.
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Ejercicio Físico , Promoción de la Salud/organización & administración , Relaciones Comunidad-Institución , Planificación Ambiental , Política de Salud , Prioridades en Salud , Promoción de la Salud/métodos , Humanos , Actividad Motora , Desarrollo de Programa/métodos , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
As prostate cancer progresses to castration-resistant disease, there is an increase in signal transduction activity. Most castration-resistant prostate tumors continue to express the androgen receptor (AR) as well as androgen-responsive genes, despite the near absence of circulating androgen in these patients. The AR is regulated not only by its cognate steroid hormone, but also by interactions with a constellation of co-regulatory and signaling molecules. Thus, the elevated signaling activity that occurs during progression to castration resistance can affect prostate cancer cell growth either through the AR or independent of the AR. In order to identify signaling pathways that regulate prostate cancer cell growth, we screened a panel of shRNAs targeting 673 human kinases against LNCaP prostate cancer cells grown in the presence and absence of hormone. The screen identified multiple shRNA clones against known and novel gene targets that regulate prostate cancer cell growth. Based on the magnitude of effect on growth, we selected six kinases for further study: MAP3K11, DGKD, ICK, CIT, GALK2, and PSKH1. Knockdown of these kinases decreased cell growth in both androgen-dependent and castration-resistant prostate cancer cells. However, these kinases had different effects on basal or androgen-induced transcriptional activity of AR target genes. MAP3K11 knockdown most consistently altered transcription of AR target genes, suggesting that MAP3K11 affected its growth inhibitory effect by modulating the AR transcriptional program. Consistent with MAP3K11 acting on the AR, knockdown of MAP3K11 inhibited AR Ser 650 phosphorylation, further supporting stress kinase regulation of AR phosphorylation. This study demonstrates the applicability of lentiviral-based shRNA for conducting phenotypic screens and identifies MAP3K11, DGKD, ICK, CIT, GALK2, and PSKH1 as regulators of prostate cancer cell growth. The thorough evaluation of these kinase targets will pave the way for developing more effective treatments for castration-resistant prostate cancer.
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Biomarcadores de Tumor/metabolismo , Proliferación Celular , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica , Neoplasias de la Próstata/metabolismo , Proteínas Quinasas/química , ARN Interferente Pequeño/genética , Andrógenos/farmacología , Biomarcadores de Tumor/genética , Western Blotting , Castración , Humanos , Inmunoprecipitación , Masculino , Fenotipo , Fosforilación/efectos de los fármacos , Neoplasias de la Próstata/genética , Neoplasias de la Próstata/patología , Proteínas Quinasas/genética , ARN Mensajero/genética , Reacción en Cadena en Tiempo Real de la Polimerasa , Receptores Androgénicos/genética , Receptores Androgénicos/metabolismo , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa de Transcriptasa Inversa , Transducción de Señal/efectos de los fármacos , Células Tumorales CultivadasRESUMEN
The microbial ecology of wine is complex. Microbes can play both positive and negative roles in the quality of the final product. Due to this impact, the microbial ecology of wine has been well studied. Traditional indirect methods, such as plating, have largely been replaced by a number of molecular methods. These methods are typically either indirect methods used for identification of cultured organisms, or direct methods used to profile whole populations or identify specific microbes in a mixed population. These molecular methods offer a number of advantages over traditional methods including speed and precision. This review will examine both direct and indirect molecular methods, provide examples of their impact on the study of the microbial ecology of wine, and also discuss their strengths and limitations.
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Bacterias/aislamiento & purificación , Vino/microbiología , Levaduras/aislamiento & purificación , Bacterias/genética , Citometría de Flujo , Hibridación de Ácido Nucleico/métodos , Reacción en Cadena en Tiempo Real de la Polimerasa/métodos , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , Levaduras/genéticaRESUMEN
Environmental exposure to low concentration hormones can have permanent epigenetic effects in animals and humans. The consequence of long-term low concentration glucocorticoid exposure was investigated in cell culture using glucocorticoid responsive genes organized in alternative chromatin structures. The MMTV promoter is induced by short-term glucocorticoid exposure on either an integrated (normal chromatin) or transient (unstructured chromatin) promoter. Longer hormone treatment causes a transient refractory repression of only the integrated promoter. Exposure to low concentrations of hormone for several passages persistently represses the integrated MMTV and endogenous glucocorticoid responsive promoters. The glucocorticoid receptor cannot bind to persistently repressed promoters. Induction by androgens is also inhibited on the repressed MMTV promoter. Similarly, osmotic stress induction of the endogenous Sgk gene is repressed. Persistent repression by glucocorticoids targets glucocorticoid responsive genes using a chromatin-dependent mechanism that disrupts binding of both GR-dependent and GR-independent transcription complexes.
Asunto(s)
Cromatina/efectos de los fármacos , Silenciador del Gen/efectos de los fármacos , Glucocorticoides/farmacología , Cromatina/metabolismo , Regulación hacia Abajo/efectos de los fármacos , Perfilación de la Expresión Génica , Glucocorticoides/metabolismo , Humanos , Virus del Tumor Mamario del Ratón/genética , Complejos Multiproteicos/metabolismo , Regiones Promotoras Genéticas/efectos de los fármacos , Receptores de Glucocorticoides/metabolismo , Receptores de Glucocorticoides/fisiología , Factores de Tiempo , Transcripción Genética/efectos de los fármacos , Transfección , Células Tumorales CultivadasRESUMEN
The packaging of eukaryotic DNA into chromatin can create an impediment to transcription by hindering binding of essential factors required for transcription. The mammalian SWI/SNF remodeling complex has been shown to alter local chromatin structure and facilitate recruitment of transcription factors. BRG1 (or hBrm), the central ATPase of the human SWI/SNF complex, is a critical factor for the functional activity of nuclear receptor complexes. Analysis using BRG1/SNF2h chimeras suggests BRG1 may contain previously uncharacterized functional motifs important for SWI/SNF. To identify these regions, BRG1 truncation and deletion mutants were designed, characterized, and utilized in a series of assays to evaluate transcriptional activation and chromatin remodeling by the glucocorticoid receptor. We identified a domain within the N terminus of BRG1 that mediates critical protein interactions within SWI/SNF. We find the HSA domain of BRG1 is required to mediate the interaction with BAF250a/ARID1A and show this association is necessary for transcriptional activation from chromatin mouse mammary tumor virus or endogenous promoters in vivo. These studies suggest BAF250a is a necessary facilitator of BRG1-mediated chromatin remodeling required for SWI/SNF-dependent transcriptional activation.