The Impact of Long Noncoding RNAs in Tissue Regeneration and Senescence.

Overcoming senescence with tissue engineering has a promising impact on multiple diseases. Here, we provide an overview of recent studies in which cellular senescence was inhibited through the up/downregulation of specific lncRNAs. This approach prevented senescence in the bones, joints, nervous system, heart, and blood vessels, with a potential impact on regeneration and the prevention of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, as well as neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. Senescence of the skin and liver could also be prevented through the regulation of cellular levels of specific lncRNAs, resulting in the rejuvenation of cells from these organs and their potential protection from disease. From these exciting achievements, which support tissue regeneration and are not restricted to stem cells, we propose lncRNA regulation through RNA or gene therapies as a prospective preventive and therapeutic approach against aging and multiple aging-related diseases.

Evaluating the effect of low-density inhomogeneities: A comparative study of lithium fluoride detectors, radiochromic films, and collapsed cone algorithm in 6 MV photon beams.

In recent years, there has been significant advancement in the development of physical simulators for dose evaluation. Many dosimetric studies employ solid materials, equivalent to human tissues, to evaluate dose distribution. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of inhomogeneity correction carried out by the Monaco/Elekta radiotherapy planning software. To achieve this goal, a physical simulator was created using cork boards to simulate lung tissue and solid water to represent other tissues. This simulator was combined with a dosimetric system that utilized lithium fluoride thermoluminescent detectors - RADOS MTS-N (LiF:Mg,Ti). The thermoluminescent detectors were positioned at various depths using a precisely drilled 2.0 mm thick acrylic plate, and they were placed at predefined positions. The irradiation of the simulator was conducted using an Elekta Synergy® Platform accelerator, employing a 6 MV photon beam with a field size of 15 × 15 cm2 and a source-surface distance (SSD) of 97.5 cm. A radiation dose of 200 cGy was applied for this study. In addition to the dosimetric assessment using thermoluminescent detectors, GAFCHROMIC™ EBT-3 Dosimetry Films were utilized to evaluate the dose at the same measurement points. The dose distribution data measured with the detectors were compared with the values provided by the planning system (TPS) and the inhomogeneity correction was verified. The results support the hypothesis that there is a lack of precision in the analytical simulations performed by the TPS, particularly in cases involving dose distribution at interfaces with varying densities.

Outbreak report of polymyxin-carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae causing untreatable infections evidenced by synergy tests and bacterial genomes.

Polymyxin-carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (PCR-Kp) with pan (PDR)- or extensively drug-resistant phenotypes has been increasingly described worldwide. Here, we report a PCR-Kp outbreak causing untreatable infections descriptively correlated with bacterial genomes. Hospital-wide surveillance of PCR-Kp was initiated in December-2014, after the first detection of a K. pneumoniae phenotype initially classified as PDR, recovered from close spatiotemporal cases of a sentinel hospital in Rio de Janeiro. Whole-genome sequencing of clinical PCR-Kp was performed to investigate similarities and dissimilarities in phylogeny, resistance and virulence genes, plasmid structures and genetic polymorphisms. A target phenotypic profile was detected in 10% (12/117) of the tested K. pneumoniae complex bacteria recovered from patients (8.5%, 8/94) who had epidemiological links and were involved in intractable infections and death, with combined therapeutic drugs failing to meet synergy. Two resistant bacterial clades belong to the same transmission cluster (ST437) or might have different sources (ST11). The severity of infection was likely related to patients' comorbidities, lack of antimicrobial therapy and predicted bacterial genes related to high resistance, survival, and proliferation. This report contributes to the actual knowledge about the natural history of PCR-Kp infection, while reporting from a time when there were no licensed drugs in the world to treat some of these infections. More studies comparing clinical findings with bacterial genetic markers during clonal spread are needed.

Genotypic characterization and clonal relatedness of metallo-ß-lactamase-producing non-fermentative gram negative bacteria in the first 5 years of their circulation in Paraguay (2011-2015).

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and species of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumanii complex are multiresistant intrahospital opportunistic pathogens, able to acquire carbapenemases and produce outbreaks with high morbidity and mortality. Pseudomonas putida has also emerged with similar characteristics. The aim of this research was to characterize the Metallo-ß-lactamases (MBLs) detected by surveillance in Paraguay in the first 5 years of their circulation in hospitals. The coexistence of KPC and OXA-type carbapenemases was also investigated. 70 MBL-producing strains from inpatients were detected from clinical samples and rectal swab from 11 hospitals. The strains were identified by manual, automated, and molecular methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility was studied by Kirby-Bauer and automated methods, while colistin susceptibility was determined by broth macrodilution. MBLs were investigated by synergy with EDTA against carbapenems and PCR, and their variants by sequencing. KPC and OXA-carbapenemases were investigated by PCR. Clonality was studied by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The results demonstrated the circulation of blaVIM-2 (60%), blaNDM-1 (36%), and blaIMP-18 (4%). The MBL-producing species were P. putida (45.7%), P. aeruginosa (17.2%), A. baumannii (24.3%), A. pittii (5.7%), A. nosocomialis, (4.3%) A. haemolyticus (1.4%), and A. bereziniae (1.4%). PFGE analysis showed one dominant clone for A. baumannii, a predominant clone for half of the strains of P. aeruginosa, and a polyclonal spread for P. putida. In the first 5 years of circulation in Paraguay, MBLs were disseminated as unique variants per genotype, appeared only in Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp., probably through horizontal transmission between species and vertical by some successful clones.

Relationships between spirituality and religiosity in dentistry academics in the state of Bahia / Relações entre espiritualidade e religiosidade em acadêmicos de odontologia do estado da Bahia

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aims to evaluate the correlation between religiosity and spirituality in dental students in the state of Bahia. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out with 266 dental students from the state of Bahia. To measure religious involvement, the Duke Religious Index (DUREL) was used, while the Spirituality Self Rating Scale (SSRS) was used for spirituality. Results: A total of 266 students were evaluated, with a mean age of 32 years (±11.9), most of them female (62.4%), of self-reported race/color (52.3%), with an income greater than three minimum wages (57.1%) and studying/working from the sixth to the tenth semester (41.0%). The correlations evidenced can be classified as weak for organizational religiosity (OR) (r = 0.406), moderate for non-organizational religiosity (RNO) (r = 0.589) and strong for intrinsic religiosity (RI) (r = 0.677). In the multivariate model, the ORN and RI dimensions proved to be predictors of spirituality, and the elevation of the former implies a consequent increase in spirituality. Conclusion: It is concluded that the RNO and RI dimensions are positively correlated with religiosity.

RESUMO Objetivos: Este estudo objetiva avaliar a correlação entre religiosidade e espiritualidade em acadêmicos de odontologia do estado da Bahia. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado com 266 acadêmicos do curso de odontologia do estado da Bahia. Para mensuração do envolvimento religioso foi utilizada a escala Duke Religious Index (DUREL) enquanto para a espiritualidade a Spirituality Self Rating Scale (SSRS). Resultados: Foram avaliados 266 acadêmicos, com média de idade de 32 anos (±11,9), sendo em sua maioria do sexo feminino (62,4%), de raça/cor autorreferida (52,3%), com renda maior que três salários mínimos (57,1%) e cursando/atuando do sexto ao décimo semestre (41,0%). As correlações evidenciadas podem ser classificadas como fraca para a religiosidade organizacional (RO) (r = 0,406), moderada para a não organizacional (RNO) (r = 0,589) e forte para e a religiosidade intrínseca (RI) (r = 0,677). No modelo multivariado as dimensões RNO e RI mostraram-se preditores da espiritualidade, sendo que a elevação das primeiras implica um consequente aumento da espiritualidade. Conclusão: Conclui-se que as dimensões RNO e RI estão positivamente correlacionadas à religiosidade.

Polymyxin Resistance in Clinical Isolates of K. pneumoniae in Brazil: Update on Molecular Mechanisms, Clonal Dissemination and Relationship With KPC-Producing Strains.

In Brazil, the production of KPC-type carbapenemases in Enterobacteriales is endemic, leading to widespread use of polymyxins. In the present study, 502 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were evaluated for resistance to polymyxins, their genetic determinants and clonality, in addition to the presence of carbapenem resistance genes and evaluation of antimicrobial resistance. Resistance to colistin (polymyxin E) was evaluated through initial selection on EMB agar containing 4% colistin sulfate, followed by Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination by broth microdilution. The susceptibility to 17 antimicrobials was assessed by disk diffusion. The presence of blaKPC, blaNDM and blaOXA-48-like carbapenemases was investigated by phenotypic methods and conventional PCR. Molecular typing was performed by PFGE and MLST. Allelic variants of the mcr gene were screened by PCR and chromosomal mutations in the pmrA, pmrB, phoP, phoQ and mgrB genes were investigated by sequencing. Our work showed a colistin resistance frequency of 29.5% (n = 148/502) in K. pneumoniae isolates. Colistin MICs from 4 to >128 µg/mL were identified (MIC50 = 64 µg/mL; MIC90 >128 µg/mL). All isolates were considered MDR, with the lowest resistance rates observed for amikacin (34.4%), and 19.6% of the isolates were resistant to all tested antimicrobials. The blaKPC gene was identified in 77% of the isolates, in consonance with the high rate of resistance to polymyxins related to its use as a therapeutic alternative. Through XbaI-PFGE, 51 pulsotypes were identified. MLST showed 21 STs, with ST437, ST258 and ST11 (CC11) being the most prevalent, and two new STs were determined: ST4868 and ST4869. The mcr-1 gene was identified in 3 K. pneumoniae isolates. Missense mutations in chromosomal genes were identified, as well as insertion sequences in mgrB. Furthermore, the identification of chromosomal mutations in K. pneumoniae isolates belonging from CC11 ensures its success as a high-risk epidemic clone in Brazil and worldwide.

Description of a novel IncP plasmid harboring blaKPC-2 recovered from a SPM-1-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa from ST277.

The high rates of carbapenem resistance among Brazilian Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates are mainly associated with the clone ST277 producing the carbapenemase SPM-1. Here, the complete genetic composition of a IncP plasmid harboring blaKPC-2 in isolates of this endemic clone carrying chromosomal blaSPM-1 was described using whole genome sequencing. These results confirm the association of these two carbapenemases in ST277 and also describe the genetic composition of a novel blaKPC-2-plasmid. Considering the fact that this association occurs in a high-risk clone, monitoring the dissemination of this plasmid should be a public health concern.

Tornar-se pais: uma compreensão gestáltica das diferentes parentalidades contemporânea / Becoming Parents: a Gestalt understanding of the different contemporary parenting / Convertirseen padres: una comprensión Gestalt de la diferente paternidad contemporánea

Família, conceito marcante para sociedade e cultura, importante alicerce das relações interpessoais, mostra mudanças e novos modelos. A decisão em ter filhos passa a ter base na experiência e realização individual, não mais por uma necessidade de modelo de família nuclear tradicional. O estudo teve como objetivo compreender a vivência de algumas modalidades de família na decisão de ter e criar os filhos. Para tal, escolheu-se a Abordagem Gestáltica como fundamentação. A Gestalt-terapia observa o processo, uma integração que nunca se completa. A presente pesquisa investigou três modelos de famílias; monoparental, casal heterossexual e homossexual. A metodologia utilizada foi pesquisa qualitativa fenomenológica. Realizou-se entrevistas semiestruturadas, com dados analisados pelo método de Giorgi. Com as entrevistas, percebeu-se que a chegada do filho traz incertezas, interrogações, novas divisões de tarefas e renúncias por parte das famílias. Conclui-se que as famílias vivem experiências semelhantes independente do seu modelo.

Family, a striking concept for society and culture, an important foundation of interpersonal relationships, shows changes and new models. The decision to have children is based on individual experience and achievement, no longer because of a need for a traditional nuclear family model. The study aimed to understand the experience of some family modalities in the decision to have and raise children. For this, the Gestalt Approach was chosen as the basis. The Gestalt-therapy look at the process, an integration that is never completed. The present research investigated three families models; single-parent, heterosexual and homosexual couple. The methodology used was phenomenological qualitative research. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with data analyzed by the Giorgi method. With the interviews, it was noticed that the arrival of the son brings uncertainties, questions, new divisions of tasks and resignations on the part of the families. We conclude that families experience similar experiences regardless of their model.

La familia, un concepto sorprendente para lasociedad y la cultura, una base importante de las relaciones interpersonales, muestracambios y nuevos modelos. La decisión de tenerhijos se basaenla experiencia y los logros individuales, ya no debido a lanecesidad de un modelo tradicional de familia nuclear. El objetivo delestudiofuecomprenderla experiencia de algunas modalidades familiares enladecisión de tener y criar hijos. Con este fin, el enfoque Gestalt fue elegido como larazón de ser. La terapia Gestalt observa elproceso, una integración que nunca se completa. La presente investigacióninvestigótres modelos familiares; Padres solteros, parejasheterosexuales y homosexuales. La metodología utilizada fuelainvestigación fenomenológica cualitativa. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradascondatosanalizados por el método de Giorgi. Conlas entrevistas, se notó que lallegadadelniñotraeincertidumbres, preguntas, una nuevadivisión de tareas y larenuncia de lasfamilias. Se concluye que lasfamiliasviven experiencias similares independientemente de su modelo.

Genetic Alterations Associated with Polymyxin B Resistance in Nosocomial KPC-2-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae from Brazil.

The rapid increased multidrug resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae has led to a renewed interest in polymyxin antibiotics, such as colistin, as antibiotics of last resort, not least in low/middle income countries. We conducted a genomic survey of clinical polymyxin-resistant K. pneumoniae to investigate the genetic alterations in isolates harboring blaKPC-2. Whole-genome sequencing was performed using an Illumina NextSeq 500 paired-end reads. Mutations and insertion sequence detection were analyzed to seven isolates recovered from clinical specimens of patients hospitalized in Brazil, focusing on key genes associated with polymyxin resistance. Furthermore, the levels of mRNA expression of genes associated with resistance to polymyxin B and other antimicrobials were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. Eighty-five percent of the isolates were assigned to clonal complex 258, with a minimum inhibitory concentration range of 4 to >256 mg/L for polymyxin B. It was possible to observe the presence of one important insertion element, ISKpn13, in a strain recovered from the blood that have blaKPC-2. Deleterious mutations reported in PmrB (R256G), YciM (N212T), and AcrB (T598A) were common, and mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes were absent in all the isolates. RT-qPCR analysis revealed an overexpression of the pmrC (1.160-fold), pmrD (2.258-fold), and kpnE (1.530-fold) genes in the polymyxin B-resistant isolates compared with the expression of the polymyxin B-susceptible K. pneumoniae isolate. Overall, these results demonstrate the diversity of genetic variations in polymyxin-resistant populations derived from the different clonal strains, but the same sequence types, and suggest that there are still unknown mechanisms of polymyxin resistance in K. pneumoniae.

Genetic Basis of Antimicrobial Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria Isolated From Bloodstream in Brazil.

Multidrug-resistant microorganisms are a well-known global problem, and gram-negative bacilli are top-ranking. When these pathogens are associated with bloodstream infections (BSI), outcomes become even worse. Here we applied whole-genome sequencing to access information about clonal distribution, resistance mechanism diversity and other molecular aspects of gram-negative bacilli (GNB) isolated from bloodstream infections in Brazil. It was possible to highlight international high-risk clones circulating in the Brazilian territory, such as CC258 for Klebsiella pneumoniae, ST79 for Acinetobacter baumannii and ST233 for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Important associations can be made such as a negative correlation between CRISPR-Cas and K. pneumoniae CC258, while the genes bla TEM, bla KPC and bla CTX-M are highly associated with this clone. Specific relationships between A. baumannii clones and bla OXA-51 variants were also observed. All P. aeruginosa ST233 isolates showed the genes bla VIM and bla OXA486. In addition, some trends could be identified, where a new P. aeruginosa MDR clone (ST3079), a novel A. baumannii clonal profile circulating in Brazil (ST848), and important resistance associations in the form of bla VIM-2 and bla IMP-56 being found together in one ST233 strain, stand out. Such findings may help to develop approaches to deal with BSI and even other nosocomial infections caused by these important GNB.

The Recombinant Form of Trypanosoma cruzi P21 Controls Infection by Modulating Host Immune Response.

Trypanosoma cruzi P21 protein (P21) is a putative secreted and immunomodulatory molecule with potent bioactive properties such as induction of phagocytosis and actin cytoskeleton polymerization. Despite the bioactive properties described so far, the action of P21 on parasite replication in muscle cell lineage or T. cruzi parasitism during acute experimental infection is unclear. We observed that recombinant P21 (rP21) decreased the multiplication of T. cruzi in C2C12 myoblasts, phenomenon associated with greater actin polymerization and IFN-γ and IL-4 higher expression. During experimental infection, lower cardiac nests, inflammatory infiltrate and fibrosis were observed in mice infected and treated with rP21. These results were correlated with large expression of IFN-γ counterbalanced by high levels of IL-10, which was consistent with the lower cardiac tissue injury found in these mice. We have also observed that upon stress, such as that induced by the presence of the IFN-γ cytokine, T. cruzi produced more P21. The effect of P21 in controlling the replication of T. cruzi, may indicate an evolutionary mechanism of survival developed by the parasite. Thus, when subjected to different stress conditions, the protozoan produces more P21, which induces T. cruzi latency in the host organism, enabling the protozoan to evade the host's immune system.

[Pulmonary medicine: asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis]. / Pneumologie: asthme, bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive et fibrose pulmonaire idiopathique.

Important changes have been proposed by expert groups for the management of mild asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): for safety reasons, short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABA) are no longer recommended as «â€…reliever therapy ¼ in mild asthma, and should be replaced by symptom-driven inhaled corticosteroids, alone or combined with a beta-2 agonist ; for COPD patients recommendations as to use of inhaled corticosteroids have been redefined. New therapeutic options for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are being evaluated: recombinant human pentraxin 2 may become a new therapeutic option among the existing specific treatments (pirfenidone, nintedanib). These novelties are discussed in this review of the recent medical literature.

D'importantes modifications ont été proposées par les sociétés savantes dans la prise en charge des sujets asthmatiques légers et des sujets souffrant de bronchopneumopathie chronique obstructive (BPCO) : abandon des bêta-2 agonistes à action courte (BAAC) en traitement de secours pour l'asthme pour des raisons de sécurité, en privilégiant le rôle des corticostéroïdes inhalés seuls ou associés à un bêta-2 mimétique chez des sujets symptomatiques, et redéfinition de la place des corticostéroïdes inhalés lors de BPCO. Dans la fibrose pulmonaire idiopathique, la pentraxine-2 humaine recombinante se profile comme une nouvelle option thérapeutique possible, venant compléter la gamme des traitements spécifiques (pirfénidone, nintédanib). Ces nouveautés sont discutées dans cette revue de la littérature récente.

Human B cells infected by Trypanosoma cruzi undergo F-actin disruption and cell death via caspase-7 activation and cleavage of phospholipase Cgama1

B cells contribute to the immune system in many ways such as antigen presentation to CD4+ T cells, secretion of cytokines and lymphoid tissue organogenesis. Furthermore, they are the only cell type capable of producing immunoglobulins. B cells also account for critical aspects of the resistance against intracellular pathogens. Trypanosoma cruzi is an intracellular parasite that sabotages humoral response by depletion of immature B cells. Polyclonal activation and secretion of non-specific antibodies are also other mechanisms used by T cruzi to evade and subvert the mammalian host immune system, leading to increased parasitemia and susceptibility to Chagas’ disease. It remained unclear whether B cell depletion occurs due to direct contact with T. cruzi or results from a global increase in inflammation. Unlike previous reports, we demonstrated in this study that T. cruzi infects human B cells, resulting in parasite-induced activation of caspase-7 followed by proteolytic cleavage of phospholipase Cgama1 and cell death. These data contribute to explain the mechanisms ruling B-cell depletion and evasion of the immune response by T. cruzi.

Human B cells infected by Trypanosoma cruzi undergo F-actin disruption and cell death via caspase-7 activation and cleavage of phospholipase Cgama1

B cells contribute to the immune system in many ways such as antigen presentation to CD4+ T cells, secretion of cytokines and lymphoid tissue organogenesis. Furthermore, they are the only cell type capable of producing immunoglobulins. B cells also account for critical aspects of the resistance against intracellular pathogens. Trypanosoma cruzi is an intracellular parasite that sabotages humoral response by depletion of immature B cells. Polyclonal activation and secretion of non-specific antibodies are also other mechanisms used by T cruzi to evade and subvert the mammalian host immune system, leading to increased parasitemia and susceptibility to Chagas’ disease. It remained unclear whether B cell depletion occurs due to direct contact with T. cruzi or results from a global increase in inflammation. Unlike previous reports, we demonstrated in this study that T. cruzi infects human B cells, resulting in parasite-induced activation of caspase-7 followed by proteolytic cleavage of phospholipase Cgama1 and cell death. These data contribute to explain the mechanisms ruling B-cell depletion and evasion of the immune response by T. cruzi.

Religiosidade, estratégias de coping e satisfação com a vida: Verificação de um modelo de influência em estudantes universitários / Religiosity, coping strategies and satisfaction with life: Verification of a model of influence in university students / Religiosidad, estrategias de coping y satisfacción con la vida: Verificación de un modelo de influencia en estudiantes universitarios

CONTEXTO: O ambiente universitário pode muitas vezes favorecer o desenvolvimento de problemas de saúde mental, uma vez que os universitários são submetidos a intenso nível de estresse e carga cognitiva. OBJETIVO: Verificar a influência da religiosidade na satisfação com a vida e na adoção de estratégias para lidar com os problemas. MÉTODOS: Estudo quantitativo com coleta de dados utilizando instrumentos psicométricos validados com 588 estudantes universitários de 18 a 63 anos. Foi utilizada a técnica de modelagem de equações estruturais para verificar um modelo de influência. RESULTADOS: Os resultados indicam que a Religiosidade influencia positivamente e de forma significativa a Satisfação com a Vida, bem como a adoção de Estratégias para Enfrentamento de Problemas. Os resultados não são generalizáveis, entretanto constituem evidência empírica da importância da religiosidade em termos de saúde mental. CONCLUSÃO: De forma geral, esta pesquisa pretendeu verificar um modelo teórico sistêmico, o qual hipotetizava uma interdependência entre as variáveis Religiosidade, Coping e Satisfação com a vida que se comprovou. Com isso, acredita-se que os resultados observados, teoricamente, sustentam as propostas sugeridas pela psicologia positiva.

BACKGROUND: The university environment can often favor the development of mental health problems, since university students are subjected to intense levels of stress and cognitive load. AIM: To verify the influence of religiosity on satisfaction with life and on the adoption of strategies to deal with problems. METHODS: Quantitative study with data collection using validated psychometric instruments with 588 university students aged 18 to 63 years. The structural equation modeling technique was used to verify an influence model. RESULTS: The results indicate that Religiosity influences positively and significantly the Satisfaction with Life, as well as the adoption of Strategies to Confront Problems. The results are not generalizable, however they constitute empirical evidence of the importance of religiosity in terms of mental health. CONCLUSION: In general, this research aimed to verify a systemic theoretical model, which hypothesized an interdependence between the variables Religiosity, Coping and Satisfaction with life; Thus, not only has the desired model been proved, but it is believed that the results observed theoretically support the proposals suggested by positive psychology.

CONTEXTO: El ambiente universitario puede a menudo favorecer el desarrollo de problemas de salud mental, ya que los universitarios son sometidos a intenso nivel de estrés y carga cognitiva. OBJETIVO: Verificar la influencia de la religiosidad en la satisfacción con la vida y en la adopción de estrategias para lidiar con los problemas. MÉTODOS: Estudio cuantitativo con recolección de datos utilizando instrumentos psicométricos validados con 588 estudiantes universitarios de 18 a 63 años. Se utilizó la técnica de modelado de ecuaciones estructurales para verificar un modelo de influencia. RESULTADOS: Los resultados indican que la Religiosidad influye positivamente y de forma significativa en la Satisfacción con la Vida, así como la adopción de Estrategias para Enfrentamiento de Problemas. Los resultados no son generalizables, sin embargo constituyen evidencia empírica de la importancia de la religiosidad en términos de salud mental. CONCLUSIÓN: En general, esta investigación pretendió verificar un modelo teórico sistémico, el cual hipotetizaba una interdependencia entre las variables Religiosidad, Coping y Satisfacción con la vida; con ello, no sólo se comprobó el modelo pretendido, pero, se cree que los resultados observados, teóricamente, sostienen las propuestas sugeridas por la psicología positiva.

IFT80 mutations cause a novel complex ciliopathy phenotype with retinal degeneration.

Ciliopathies, a growing pleotropic class of diseases due to mutations in genes that play an important role in primary cilia function. These highly conserved organelles are key to cell signaling. We now know, that mutations in one gene may lead to more than one ciliopathy phenotype and that one ciliopathy phenotype may be due to mutations in more than one gene. We studied the case of a female child with a novel ciliopathy phenotype and identified two novel mutations in the gene IFT80. Previously, mutations in IFT80 have been associated with a very narrow rib cage and failure of the lungs. Bone anomalies are also part of this IFT80-condition but with no vision problems documented. Our case had none of the features known to be associated with IFT80 mutations and had retinal degeneration (RD). This work broadens the IFT80-phenotype spectrum and also shows RD can be a feature of many ciliopathies.

Molecular characterization and clonal dynamics of nosocomial blaOXA-23 producing XDR Acinetobacter baumannii.

The emergence of infections associated to new antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) genotypes represents a major challenge. In this context, this study aimed to determine the diversity of resistance mechanisms and investigate clonal dissemination and predominant sequence types (STs) in multidrug-resistant Ab strains of clinical (tracheal aspirate, n = 17) and environmental (surface, n = 6) origins. Additionally, the major clones found in clinical (A) and environmental (H) strains had their complete genomes sequenced. All strains were submitted to polymerase chain reactions (PCR) for the detection of the ISAba1/blaOXA-51-like and ISAba1/blaOXA-23-like genes, while the expression of genes encoding the carO porin, AdeABC (adeB), AdeFGH (adeG), and AdeIJK (adeJ) efflux pumps was determined by real time PCR (qPCR). Most of the strains were characterized as extensively drug-resistant (XDR) with high minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) detected for tigecycline and carbapenems. Associations between ISAba1/OXA-51 and ISAba1/OXA-23 were observed in 91.3% and 52.2% of the strains, respectively. Only the adeB gene was considered hyper-expressed. Furthermore, most of the strains analyzed by the MuLtilocus Sequence-Typing (MLST) were found to belong to the clonal complex 113 (CC113). In addition, a new ST, ST1399, belonging to CC229, was also discovered herein. Strains analyzed by whole genome sequencing presented resistance genes linked to multidrug-resistance phenotypes and confirmed the presence of Tn2008, which provides high levels carbapenem-resistance.

Lipid core nanoparticles resembling low-density lipoprotein and regression of atherosclerotic lesions: effects of particle size.

Particles are usually polydispersed and size is an important feature for lipid-based drug delivery systems in order to optimize cell-particle interactions as to pharmacologic action and toxicity. Lipid nanoparticles (LDE) with composition similar to that of low-density lipoprotein carrying paclitaxel were shown to markedly reduce atherosclerosis lesions induced in rabbits by cholesterol feeding. The aim of this study was to test whether two LDE fractions, one with small (20-60 nm) and the other with large (60-100 nm) particles, had different actions on the atherosclerotic lesions. The two LDE-paclitaxel fractions, prepared by microfluidization, were separated by density gradient ultracentrifugation and injected (4 mg/body weight, intravenously once a week) into two groups of rabbits previously fed cholesterol for 4 weeks. A group of cholesterol-fed animals injected with saline solution was used as control to assess lesion reduction with treatment. After the treatment period, the animals were euthanized for analysis. After treatment, both the small and large nanoparticle preparations of LDE-paclitaxel had equally strong anti-atherosclerosis action. Both reduced lesion extension in the aorta by roughly 50%, decreased the intima width by 75% and the macrophage presence in the intima by 50%. The two preparations also showed similar toxicity profile. In conclusion, within the 20-100 nm range, size is apparently not an important feature regarding the LDE nanoparticle system and perhaps other solid lipid-based systems.

Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis in a patient with chronic hepatitis C and mixed cryoglobulinemia.

A 55-year-old man presented with a history of asymptomatic, bilateral, figurate dermatosis consisting of erythematous, annular, linear, andarciform, indurated nodules and plaques on the lateral walls of thorax, flanks, and hypogastrium. His medical history was positive for chronic hepatitis C. Skin biopsy was compatible with the diagnosisof interstitial granulomatous dermatitis. Additionalinvestigation revealed positive rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies, and cryoglobulins. Thepatient started treatment with high-potency topical corticosteroid. After 12 weeks of treatment there was a partial clinical improvement of thedermatosis. Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis exhibits a distinct histopathological pattern with a diverse clinical appearance, which can be associated with autoimmune systemic diseases, neoplasms, several drugs, and infections. Optimal therapy for this condition is yet to be established, but topical corticosteroids have been a mainstay of treatment.

Roles of auxin and ethylene in aerenchyma formation in sugarcane roots.

Although the cross-talk between auxin and ethylene has been described during plant development, the role played by auxin upon gene expression during aerenchyma formation is poorly understood. Root aerenchyma formation results from the opening of gas spaces in the cortex. It is part of a developmental program (constitutive) or due to ethylene treatment or abiotic stress (induced) such as flooding and nutrient starvation. This process relies on programmed cell death and cell wall modifications. Here we followed development of aerenchyma formation in sugarcane along 5 cm from the root apex. As a constitutive process, the aerenchyma formation was observed in the cortex from the 3rd cm onwards. This occurred despite 1-methylcyclepropene (1-MCP) treatment, an inhibitor of ethylene perception. However, this process occurred while ethylene (and auxin) levels decreased. Within the aerenchyma formation zone, the concentration of ethylene is lower in comparison to the concentration in maize. Besides, the ratio between both hormones (ethylene and auxin) was around 1:1. These pieces of evidence suggest that ethylene sensitivity and ethylene-auxin balance may play a role in the formation of aerenchyma. Furthermore, the transcriptional analysis showed that genes related to cell expansion are up-regulated due to 1-MCP treatment. Our results help explaining the regulation of the formation constitutive aerenchyma in sugarcane.