Testosterone and estradiol modify the expression of adhesins and biofilm formation in Actinobacillus seminis.

Actinobacillus seminis is the causal agent of epididymitis and has other effects on the reproductive tracts of small ruminants and bovines. This bacterium causes infection when luteinizing (LH) or follicle-stimulating hormones increase, and hosts reach sexual maturity. LH induces female ovulation and male testosterone production, suggesting that these hormones affect A. seminis pathogenicity. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of testosterone (1-5 ng/ml) or estradiol (5-25 pg/ml) added to culture medium on the in vitro growth, biofilm production, and adhesin expression of A. seminis. Estradiol does not promote the growth of this bacterium, whereas testosterone increased A. seminis planktonic growth 2-fold. Both hormones induced the expression of the elongation factor thermo unstable (EF-Tu) and phosphoglycerate mutase (PGM), proteins that A. seminis uses as adhesins. Estradiol (5 or 10 pg/ml) decreased biofilm formation by 32%, whereas testosterone, even at 5 ng/ml, showed no effect. Both hormones modified the concentrations of carbohydrates and eDNA in biofilms by 50%. Amyloid proteins are characterized by their capacity to bind Congo red (CR) dye. Actinobacillus seminis binds CR dye, and this binding increases in the presence of 5-20 pg/ml estradiol or 4 ng/ml testosterone. The A. seminis EF-Tu protein was identified as amyloid-like protein (ALP). The effect of sexual hormones on the growth and expression of virulence factors of A. seminis seems to be relevant for its colonization and permanence in the host.

Autolesiones sin intención suicida en una muestra de niños y adolescentes de la ciudad de México / Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in a Community Sample of Older Children and Adolescents of Mexico City

Introducción: En México como en otros países los estudios no distinguen entre los intentos de suicidio (IS) delas autolesiones con (A+) y sin intención de suicidio (A-). El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar las autolesiones y su prevalencia a partir de varias definiciones, además de estudiar la frecuencia de los criterios propuestos del DSM-5 para las autolesiones sin intención suicida en adolescentes de ambos sexos. Metodología: El estudio fue observacional, descriptivo, transversal, comparativo a partir de una muestra no probabilística de adolescentes de ambos sexos de escuelas secundarias oficiales que contestaron la cédula de autolesiones. Resultados: Los participantes fueron 533 adolescentes con una edad (M=13.37, DE 0.95) y un rango de 11 a 17años, 54% del sexo femenino. La prevalencia de (A-) definida con los criterios de autolesiones propuestos para el DSM-5 fue del 5.6% (N=30), con una definición amplia a partir de sólo el ítem 51(¿Te lastimas sin la intención de quitarte la vida?) fue del 17.1% (N=140), en el último mes (1-3 eventos) fue del 9.9% (N=53), en los últimos 6 meses (1-3 eventos) fue del 11.6% (N=62) y en el último año (5 eventos) fue del 12.6 % (N=67). La edad de inicio fue de 11.9 ± 1.39, (rango 6-15 años). La mayoría de los criterios del DSM-5 tuvieron mayor frecuencia en las niñas que los niños. Conclusiones: Las autolesiones con y sin intención de suicidio son muy frecuentes en la comunidad. Se discuten aspectos importantes para la toma de decisiones en el ámbito escolar y médico

Introduction: In Mexico, as in other countries, studies do not distinguish between attempted suicide and suicidal and non suicidal self-injury (NSSI). The aim of this study was to investigate self-injury and its prevalence using several definitions, in addition to studying the frequency of the proposed DSM-5 criteria for NSSI in adolescent girls and boys. Methodology: The study was observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and comparative using a nonrandomized sample of adolescent girls and boys from official high schools who completed the self-injury questionnaire. Results: The participants were 533 older children and adolescents with a mean (SD) age of 13.37 (0.95) years, age range 11 to 17 years, and 54% female sex distribution. The prevalence of NSSI defined according to proposed DSM-5 criteria was 5.6% (N=30) and, according to a broad definition using only item 51 ("Do you hurt yourself without intending to end your life?"), 17.1% (N=140). Prevalence defined by the number of events in the last month (1-3 events) was 9.9% (N=53), in the last 6 months (1-3 events), 11.6% (N=62), and in the last year (5 events), 12.6% (N=67).The age at onset was 11.9 (1.39) years (range 6-15 years).Most DSM-5 criteria were more frequent in girls than boys. Conclusions: Suicidal and non suicidal self-injury are frequent in the community. Important points for decision making in schools and medical practice are discussed

Nonsuicidal self-injury in a community sample of older children and adolescents of Mexico City.

INTRODUCTION: In Mexico, as in other countries, studies do not distinguish between attempted suicide and suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). The aim of this study was to investigate self-injury and its prevalence using several definitions, in addition to studying the frequency of the proposed DSM-5 criteria for NSSI in adolescent girls and boys. METHODOLOGY: The study was observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and comparative using a nonrandomized sample of adolescent girls and boys from official high schools who completed the self-injury questionnaire. RESULTS: The participants were 533 older children and adolescents with a mean (SD) age of 13.37 (0.95) years, age range 11 to 17 years, and 54% female sex distribution. The prevalence of NSSI defined according to proposed DSM-5 criteria was 5.6% (N=30) and, according to a broad definition using only item 51 ("Do you hurt yourself without intending to end your life?"), 17.1% (N=140). Prevalence defined by the number of events in the last month (1-3 events) was 9.9% (N=53), in the last 6 months (1-3 events), 11.6% (N=62), and in the last year (5 events), 12.6% (N=67). The age at onset was 11.9 (1.39) years (range 6-15 years). Most DSM-5 criteria were more frequent in girls than boys. CONCLUSIONS: Suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injury are frequent in the community. Important points for decision-making in schools and medical practice are discussed.