Pangenome-wide and molecular evolution analyses of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa species.

BACKGROUND: Drug treatments and vaccine designs against the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa have multiple issues, all associated with the diverse genetic traits present in this pathogen, ranging from multi-drug resistant genes to the molecular machinery for the biosynthesis of biofilms. Several candidate vaccines against P. aeruginosa have been developed, which target the outer membrane proteins; however, major issues arise when attempting to establish complete protection against this pathogen due to its presumably genotypic variation at the strain level. To shed light on this concern, we proposed this study to assess the P. aeruginosa pangenome and its molecular evolution across multiple strains. RESULTS: The P. aeruginosa pangenome was estimated to contain more than 16,000 non-redundant genes, and approximately 15 % of these constituted the core genome. Functional analyses of the accessory genome indicated a wide presence of genetic elements directly associated with pathogenicity. An in-depth molecular evolution analysis revealed the full landscape of selection forces acting on the P. aeruginosa pangenome, in which purifying selection drives evolution in the genome of this human pathogen. We also detected distinctive positive selection in a wide variety of outer membrane proteins, with the data supporting the concept of substantial genetic variation in proteins probably recognized as antigens. Approaching the evolutionary information of genes under extremely positive selection, we designed a new Multi-Locus Sequencing Typing assay for an informative, rapid, and cost-effective genotyping of P. aeruginosa clinical isolates. CONCLUSIONS: We report the unprecedented pangenome characterization of P. aeruginosa on a large scale, which included almost 200 bacterial genomes from one single species and a molecular evolutionary analysis at the pangenome scale. Evolutionary information presented here provides a clear explanation of the issues associated with the use of protein conjugates from pili, flagella, or secretion systems as antigens for vaccine design, which exhibit high genetic variation in terms of non-synonymous substitutions in P. aeruginosa strains.

Community-based primary prevention programs decrease the rate of metabolic syndrome among socioeconomically disadvantaged women.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic Syndrome (MetSyn) is one of the strongest predictors of type 2 diabetes (DM2) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is associated with a 4- to 10-fold increased risk of DM2 and a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of CVD. Low income and minority women have some of the highest rates of MetSyn. This study examines the effect of a unique, community based, primary prevention program on the rates of MetSyn and health habits. METHODS: Sixty-four low income and minority women were enrolled in the HAPPY (Health Awareness and Primary Prevention in Your neighborhood) Heart Program in an eastern suburb of Boston. Over these 2 years, patients were evaluated by an interdisciplinary medical team: their primary physician, cardiologist, nutritionist, physical therapist, and health coach. The rate of MetSyn was measured at baseline, year 1, and year 2. Comparisons were made either using the paired t test for normally distributed variables or the Wilcoxon Sign test for non-normal variables. RESULTS: The rate of MetSyn fell from 64.7% at baseline to 34.9% at year 1 (p=0.01) and 28.2% at year 2 (p<0.001). This was driven by increases in high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) (p<0.001) and decreases in blood pressure (p=0.05). Fasting blood glucose trended down, but the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) reached significance (decreasing from 6 to 5.8, p<0.01). Nutrition and exercise habits trended toward improvement. There were significant decreases in anxiety (p<0.001), depression (p=0.006) and stress (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: This lifestyle intervention program is effective at decreasing MetSyn in a socioeconomically disadvantaged, largely minority, female population. This program also decreases anxiety, stress, and depression among participants.

Factores asociados al uso de sustancias ilícitas en adolescentes escolarizados / Associated factors with Illicit drug use among adolescent students

Introducción: El abuso de sustancias ilícitas se establece durante la adolescencia temprana. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia y los factores asociados al consumo de sustancias ilícitas en adolescentes escolarizados de Bucaramanga. Método: Una muestra aleatoria de estudiantes adolescentes que completó un cuestionario anónimo acerca del consumo de sustancias ilegales y legales más escalas y cuestionarios de diferente tipo. Resultados: 2.916 estudiantes participaron en esta investigación. La prevalencia del uso de sustancias ilícitas durante el último año fue del 3,81%. El uso de sustancias ilícitas en hombres se asoció de manera independiente con la presencia de comportamientos antisociales, fumar todos los días durante el último mes, patrón de dependencia a alcohol y tener un amigo que usa sustancias ilícitas. En mujeres se asoció de manera independiente con la presencia de comportamientos antisociales, tener un amigo que usa sustancias ilícitas, fumar todos los días durante el último mes y la edad. Conclusión: Uno de cada 26 adolescentes escolarizados de Bucaramanga ha usado sustancias ilícitas durante el último año. Mujeres y hombres mostraron factores asociados similares, sin embargo, los hombres mostraron asociación con dependencia al alcohol y las mujeres mostraron asociación con la edad...

Introduction: The abuse of illicit drugs is established during early adolescence. Furthermore, a lot of variables in Colombian adolescents have not been studied yet. Objective: To establish the prevalence and associated factors of illicit drug use among adolescent students in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Methods: A random sample of adolescent students completed an anonymous questionnaire about illegal and legal substance use, and others questionnaires and scales.. Logistical regression was used to control confounding variables. Results: 2,916 students participated in this research. The prevalence of illicit drug use during the last year was 3.81%. Illicit drug use in men was independently associated with antisocial behavior, smoking everyday during the last month, alcohol dependence pattern and having a friend who uses illicit drugs. In women was independently associated with antisocial behavior, having a friend who uses illicit drugs, smoking everyday during the last month, and the age. Conclusions: One in 26 adolescent students from Bucaramanga has used illicit drugs during the last year. Women and men showed similar associated factors, although, men also showed an association with alcohol dependence and women showed an association with the age...

Prevalencia del consumo de sustancias en estudiantes de secundaria de Bucaramanga (Colombia) y su área metropolitana / Prevalence of Substance Use in Middle and High School Students in Bucaramanga (Colombia) and Metropolitan Area

Introducción: La adolescencia es la etapa de mayor riesgo para el inicio de consumo de sustancias, lo cual implica complicaciones a corto y largo plazo. En los países latinoamericanos ha aumentado el consumo de sustancias. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia del consumo de sustancias en niños y adolescentes escolarizados de Bucaramanga y su área metropolitana, Colombia. Método: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal en una muestra aleatoria de 2.916 estudiantes adolescentes. Resultados: la edad promedio de los estudiantes fue de 14,4 años (DE 1,65); el 49,88% eran varones. El 2,75% fue la prevalencia anual para el consumo de sustancias legales (sin incluir alcohol y tabaco), en tanto 3,81% fue la prevalencia del consumo de sustancias ilegales. La prevalencia de consumo diario de cigarrillo durante el último mes fue 4,56%. La prevalencia anual de consumo de alcohol fue de 66,39%; de bazuco, 0,76%; de cocaína, 1,35%; de estimulantes, 1,28%; de éxtasis, 1,59%; de heroína, 0,45%; de inhalantes 0,8%; de marihuana, 2,64%, y de tranquilizantes, 1,62%. Conclusión: El consumo de sustancias legales e ilegales por parte de estudiantes de secundaria de Bucaramanga fue alto e inició a edades tempranas. El alcohol sigue siendo la más consumida, seguido por el cigarrillo. La marihuana fue la sustancia ilegal de mayor consumo y se pudo documentar la consolidación en nuestro medio del éxtasis y la emergencia del uso de heroína en niños y adolescentes. El consumo de mujeres tendió a equipararse con el de los hombres.

Introduction: Adolescence is the period of highest risk for starting the use of substances, with short and long term complications. The prevalence of substance use has risen in Latin-American countries. Objective: To establish the prevalence of substance use in children and adolescents who are attending school in Bucaramanga and metropolitan area in Colombia. Method: Descriptive transectional study with a random sample of about 2916 adolescent students. Results: The mean age of the students was 14.4 years (SD 1.65); 49.88% were men. An annual prevalence for legal substances of 2.75% was observed (excluding alcohol and tobacco), whereas the annual prevalence for illegal substances use was 3.81%. The annual prevalence for alcohol use was 66.39%, 0.76% for bazuco, 1.35% for cocaine, 1.28 for stimulants, 1.59% for ecstasy, 0.45% for heroin, 0.8% for inhalants, 2.64% for marihuana, and 1.62% for tranquillizers. Conclusion: The use of legal and illegal substances in school students from Bucaramanga was high and started early in life. Alcohol is still the most used substance followed by tobacco. Marihuana was the illegal substance used the most, and we established the consolidation of the use of substances like ecstasy and the emergence of heroin use in children and adolescents. The use of substances in women tended to match the use in men.

Comparación in vitro de la desinfección del sistema de conductos radiculares con NaOCl al 5.25 y láser diodo / In vitro comparison of the disinfection of the root canals with NaOCl at 5.25 and diode laser

Introducción y Objetivo: Varias sustancias y mecanismos se usan en endodoncia para la desinfección del conducto radicular. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la eficacia del hipoclorito de sodio al 5.25% y el Láser Diodo para desinfectar conductos radiculares contaminados con Enterococus faecalis. Materiales y Métodos: Cuarenta dientes humanos unirradiculares intactos extraidos fueron preparados utilizando una técnica corono apical, luego de la conformación fueron esterilizados en autoclave. Todos los conductos se infectaron con Enterococcus faecalis, se dejaron en cámara húmeda durante 7 días y se dividieron de forma aleatoria: Grupo I: 16 dientes que fueron infectados y descontaminados NaOCl al 5.25%. Grupo II: 16 dientes que fueron infectados y descontaminados con solución salina y Láser Diodo. Se hicieron cortes a 1, 2 y 3 micras desde la pared interna del conducto hacia la superficie externa del diente; los cortes fueron teñidos con tinción Gram para tejidos y la presencia o ausencia de Entorococcus faecalis fue examinado bajo microscopio de luz. Resultados: Con la prueba de Chi cuadrado de Pearson se comparó el porcentaje de desinfección entre NaOCl al 5.25% y el Láser Diodo y no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (valor p = 0.352); sin embargo el grupo del hipoclorito de sodio presentó un mejor comportamiento en la desinfección (81.0%) comparado con el láser (75.0%). Conclusión: No se encuentra diferencia entre la utilización del Láser Diodo y el NaOCl 5.25%.

Introduction and Objective: Several substances and mechanisms used in endodontics for the disinfection of root canal. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of sodium hypochlorite to 5.25% and Laser Diode for disinfecting root canals contaminated with Enterococus faecalis. Materials and Methods: Forty unirradiculares intact human teeth extracted were prepared using a technique apical crown, after the formation were sterilized in an autoclave. All ducts were infected with Enterococcus faecalis, were placed on moist chamber for 7 days and were divided at random: Group I: 16 teeth were infected and decontaminated NaOCl to 5.25%. Group II: 16 teeth were infected and decontaminated with saline and Laser Diode. There were cuts at 1, 2 and 3 microns from the inner wall of the duct to the outer surface of the tooth; cuts were stained with Gram stain for tissues and the presence or absence of Entorococcus faecalis was examined under light microscopy. Results: With the Chi-square test Pearson compared the percentage of disinfection between NaOCl to 5.25% and Laser Diode and found no statistically significant differences (p-value = 0,352) but the group of sodium hypochlorite presented a better behaviour disinfection (81.0%) compared with the laser (75.0%). Conclusion: There is difference between the use of Laser Diode and NaOCl 5.25%.

Comparación de la desinfección del sistema de conductos radiculares in vitro con NaOCI al 5.25 por ciento y Láser diodo / Comparision between NaOCl at 5.25 and Diode Laser in vitro disinfecting systems of root canals

El éxito de la terapia odontológica depende de factores como la desinfección de los conductos radiculares. El objetivo principal del estudio fue comparar la eficacia del láser Diodo y el NaOCI al 5.25 por ciento, para la desinfectar el sistema de conductos radiculares. Se contaminaron in vitro 40 dientes humanos unirradiculares con integridad coronal con Enterococo faecalis: se tomaron radiografías previas para analizar la anatomía interna. Los dientes extraídos, se colocaron en solución salina; se realizó apertura cameral y conformación a 1 milímetros del foramen apical, con limas Tipo K hasta la número 40, utilizando la técnica paso a bajo. Cada diente se selló externamente con dos capas de barniz, se infectaron intraconducto con Enterococo faecalis en dilución en un medio enriquecido líquido de BHI (infusión cerebro corazón) se dejaron en cámara húmeda 7 días a 37°C en 100 por ciento de humedad. Se dividieron de forma aleatoria en dos grupos controles (positivo y negativo, cada uno con 4 dientes) y dos grupos experimentales (Láser diodo y NaOCI AL 5.25 por ciento, cada uno con 16 dientes). Los especímenes fueron cortados longitudinalmente, cada mitad fue cortada a 1, 2 y 3 micras desde la pared interna del conducto hacia afuera cada corte fue observado al microscopio de luz (100X) para determinar desinfección de forma cualitativa. No se encontraron diferencia...

Detection of hilA gene sequences in serovars of Salmonella enterica sufigbspecies enterica

hilA gene promoter, component of the Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 1, has been found in Salmonella serovar Typhimurium, being important for the regulation of type III secretion apparatus genes. We detected hilA gene sequences in Salmonella serovars Typhi, Enteritidis, Choleraesuis, Paratyphi A and B, and Pullorum, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and hybridization techniques. The primers to carry out PCR were designed according to hilA sequence. A low stringency hybridization with the probe pVV441 (hilA open-reading-frame plasmid) was carried out. To find hilA gene sequences in other Salmonella sp. suggest that these serovars could have similar sequences of this kind of virulence genes

Detection of hilA gene sequences in serovars of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica.

hilA gene promoter, component of the Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 1, has been found in Salmonella serovar Typhimurium, being important for the regulation of type III secretion apparatus genes. We detected hilA gene sequences in Salmonella serovars Typhi, Enteritidis, Choleraesuis, Paratyphi A and B, and Pullorum, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and hybridization techniques. The primers to carry out PCR were designed according to hilA sequence. A low stringency hybridization with the probe pVV441 (hilA open-reading-frame plasmid) was carried out. To find hilA gene sequences in other Salmonella sp. suggest that these serovars could have similar sequences of this kind of virulence genes.