Multidrug resistance in Salmonella isolates of swine origin: mobile genetic elements and plasmids associated with cephalosporin resistance with potential transmission to humans.

The emergence of foodborne Salmonella strains carrying antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in mobile genetic elements (MGE) is a significant public health threat in a One Health context requiring continuous surveillance. Resistance to ciprofloxacin and cephalosporins is of particular concern. Since pigs are a relevant source of foodborne Salmonella for human beings, we studied transmissible AMR genes and MGE in a collection of 83 strains showing 9 different serovars and 15 patterns of multidrug resistant (MDR) previously isolated from pigs raised in the conventional breeding system of Northern Spain. All isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and three isolates carried blaCMY-2 or blaCTX-M-9 genes responsible for cefotaxime resistance. Filter mating experiments showed that the two plasmids carrying blaCTX-M-9 were conjugative while that carrying blaCMY-2 was self-transmissible by transformation. Whole-genome sequencing and comparative analyses were performed on the isolates and plasmids. The IncC plasmid pSB109, carrying blaCMY-2, was similar to one found in S. Reading from cattle, indicating potential horizontal transfer between serovars and animal sources. The IncHI2 plasmids pSH102 in S. Heidelberg and pSTM45 in S. Typhimurium ST34, carrying blaCTX-M-9, shared similar backbones and two novel "complex class 1 integrons" containing different AMR and heavy metal genes. Our findings emphasize the importance of sequencing techniques to identify emerging AMR regions in conjugative and stable plasmids from livestock production. The presence of MGE carrying clinically relevant AMR genes raises public health concerns, requiring monitoring to mitigate the emergence of bacteria carrying AMR genes and subsequent spread through animals and food.IMPORTANCEThe emergence of foodborne Salmonella strains carrying antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in mobile genetic elements (MGE) is a significant public health threat in a One Health context. Since pigs are a relevant source of foodborne Salmonella for humans, in this study, we investigate different aspects of AMR in a collection of 83 Salmonella showing nine different serovars and 15 patterns of multidrug resistant (MDR) isolated from pigs raised in the conventional breeding system. Our findings emphasize the importance of sequencing techniques to identify emerging AMR regions in conjugative and stable plasmids from livestock production. The presence of MGE carrying clinically relevant AMR genes raises public health concerns, requiring monitoring to mitigate the emergence of bacteria carrying AMR genes and subsequent spread through animals and food.

Green and blue space exposure and non-communicable disease related hospitalizations: A systematic review.

The global increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) presents a critical public health concern. Emerging evidence suggests that exposure to natural environments may reduce the risk of developing NCDs through multiple pathways. The present systematic review aims to synthesize and evaluate the observational evidence regarding associations between exposure to green and blue spaces and hospital admissions related to NCDs. A comprehensive literature search strategy was conducted in Embase (Ovid), PubMed, and Web of Science. The risk of bias and quality of the evidence were assessed using The Navigation Guide methodology, an approach specifically designed for environmental health research. Of 3060 search results, 17 articles were included. Notably, the majority of the studies (n = 14; 82.4%) were published from 2020 onwards. Most studies were conducted in the United States (n = 6; 35.3%) and China (n = 4; 23.5%). Exposure to green spaces was assessed through all studies, while only three included blue spaces. In terms of study design, cohort design was employed in nearly half of the studies (n = 8; 47.1%), followed by case-crossover design (n = 3, 17.6%). Over 75% of the included studies (n = 13) had a high or probably high rating in the risk of bias assessment. The studies encompassed diverse NCD outcome domains; cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) (n = 10), respiratory diseases (RSDs) (n = 2), heat-related diseases (n = 1), metabolic diseases (n = 2), cancer (n = 1), neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) (n = 2), and mental health disorders (n = 2). The present review suggests that a clear link between blue space exposure and NCD hospital admissions is not evident. However, exposure to green spaces appears to predominantly have a protective effect, although the direction of the association varies across different outcome domains. The heterogeneity among the outcome domains together with the limited number of studies, emphasizes the need for more robust evidence.

EAT-2 attenuates C. elegans development via metabolic remodeling in a chemically defined food environment.

Dietary intake and nutrient composition regulate animal growth and development; however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Our previous study has shown that either the mammalian deafness homolog gene tmc-1 or its downstream acetylcholine receptor gene eat-2 attenuates Caenorhabditis elegans development in a chemically defined food CeMM (C. elegans maintenance medium) environment, but the underpinning mechanisms are not well-understood. Here, we found that, in CeMM food environment, for both eat-2 and tmc-1 fast-growing mutants, several fatty acid synthesis and elongation genes were highly expressed, while many fatty acid ß-oxidation genes were repressed. Accordingly, dietary supplementation of individual fatty acids, such as monomethyl branch chain fatty acid C17ISO, palmitic acid and stearic acid significantly promoted wild-type animal development on CeMM, and mutations in either C17ISO synthesis gene elo-5 or elo-6 slowed the rapid growth of eat-2 mutant. Tissue-specific rescue experiments showed that elo-6 promoted animal development mainly in the intestine. Furthermore, transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed that elo-6/C17ISO regulation of C. elegans development may be correlated with up-regulating expression of cuticle synthetic and hedgehog signaling genes, as well as promoting biosynthesis of amino acids, amino acid derivatives and vitamins. Correspondingly, we found that amino acid derivative S-adenosylmethionine and its upstream metabolite methionine sulfoxide significantly promoted C. elegans development on CeMM. This study demonstrated that C17ISO, palmitic acid, stearic acid, S-adenosylmethionine and methionine sulfoxide inhibited or bypassed the TMC-1 and EAT-2-mediated attenuation of development via metabolic remodeling, and allowed the animals to adapt to the new nutritional niche.

Mast Cell Activation Profile and TFH13 Detection Discriminate Food Anaphylaxis Versus Sensitization.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of food allergy (FA) has increased significantly, and the risk of developing anaphylaxis is unpredictable. Thus, discriminating between sensitized patients and those at risk of having a severe reaction is of utmost interest. To explore mast cell activation pattern and T follicular helper (TFH) 13 presence in sensitized and food anaphylaxis patients. METHODS: Patients sensitized to Lipid transfer protein (LTP) were classified as anaphylaxis or sensitized depending on the symptoms elicited by LTP-containing food. CD34+-derived MCs from patients and controls were obtained, sensitized with pooled sera, and challenged with Pru p 3 (peach LTP). Degranulation, PGD2, and cytokine/chemokine release were measured. The TFH13 population was examined by flow cytometry in the peripheral blood of all groups. In parallel, LAD2 cells were activated similarly to patients' MCs. RESULTS: A distinguishable pattern of mast cell activation was found in anaphylaxis compared to sensitized patients. Robust degranulation, PGD2, and IL-8 and GM-CSF secretion were higher in anaphylaxis, whereas TFG- and CCL2 secretion increased in sensitized patients. Concomitantly, anaphylaxis patients had a larger TFH13 population. MC activation profile was dependent on the sera rather than the MC source. In agreement with that, LAD2 cells reproduce the same pattern as MCs from anaphylactic and sensitized patients. CONCLUSION: The distinct profile of mast cell activation allows to discriminate between anaphylaxis and sensitized patients. Pooled sera may determine mast cell activation independently of mast cell origin. Besides, the presence of TFH13 cells in anaphylaxis patients points to an essential role of IgE affinity.

Worldwide forest surveys reveal forty-three new species in Phytophthora major Clade 2 with fundamental implications for the evolution and biogeography of the genus and global plant biosecurity.

During 25 surveys of global Phytophthora diversity, conducted between 1998 and 2020, 43 new species were detected in natural ecosystems and, occasionally, in nurseries and outplantings in Europe, Southeast and East Asia and the Americas. Based on a multigene phylogeny of nine nuclear and four mitochondrial gene regions they were assigned to five of the six known subclades, 2a-c, e and f, of Phytophthora major Clade 2 and the new subclade 2g. The evolutionary history of the Clade appears to have involved the pre-Gondwanan divergence of three extant subclades, 2c, 2e and 2f, all having disjunct natural distributions on separate continents and comprising species with a soilborne and aquatic lifestyle and, in addition, a few partially aerial species in Clade 2c; and the post-Gondwanan evolution of subclades 2a and 2g in Southeast/East Asia and 2b in South America, respectively, from their common ancestor. Species in Clade 2g are soilborne whereas Clade 2b comprises both soil-inhabiting and aerial species. Clade 2a has evolved further towards an aerial lifestyle comprising only species which are predominantly or partially airborne. Based on high nuclear heterozygosity levels ca. 38 % of the taxa in Clades 2a and 2b could be some form of hybrid, and the hybridity may be favoured by an A1/A2 breeding system and an aerial life style. Circumstantial evidence suggests the now 93 described species and informally designated taxa in Clade 2 result from both allopatric non-adaptive and sympatric adaptive radiations. They represent most morphological and physiological characters, breeding systems, lifestyles and forms of host specialism found across the Phytophthora clades as a whole, demonstrating the strong biological cohesiveness of the genus. The finding of 43 previously unknown species from a single Phytophthora clade highlight a critical lack of information on the scale of the unknown pathogen threats to forests and natural ecosystems, underlining the risk of basing plant biosecurity protocols mainly on lists of named organisms. More surveys in natural ecosystems of yet unsurveyed regions in Africa, Asia, Central and South America are needed to unveil the full diversity of the clade and the factors driving diversity, speciation and adaptation in Phytophthora. Taxonomic novelties: New species: Phytophthora amamensis T. Jung, K. Kageyama, H. Masuya & S. Uematsu, Phytophthora angustata T. Jung, L. Garcia, B. Mendieta-Araica, & Y. Balci, Phytophthora balkanensis I. Milenkovic, Z. Tomic, T. Jung & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora borneensis T. Jung, A. Durán, M. Tarigan & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora calidophila T. Jung, Y. Balci, L. Garcia & B. Mendieta-Araica, Phytophthora catenulata T. Jung, T.-T. Chang, N.M. Chi & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora celeris T. Jung, L. Oliveira, M. Tarigan & I. Milenkovic, Phytophthora curvata T. Jung, A. Hieno, H. Masuya & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora distorta T. Jung, A. Durán, E. Sanfuentes von Stowasser & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora excentrica T. Jung, S. Uematsu, K. Kageyama & C.M. Brasier, Phytophthora falcata T. Jung, K. Kageyama, S. Uematsu & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora fansipanensis T. Jung, N.M. Chi, T. Corcobado & C.M. Brasier, Phytophthora frigidophila T. Jung, Y. Balci, K. Broders & I. Milenkovic, Phytophthora furcata T. Jung, N.M. Chi, I. Milenkovic & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora inclinata N.M. Chi, T. Jung, M. Horta Jung & I. Milenkovic, Phytophthora indonesiensis T. Jung, M. Tarigan, L. Oliveira & I. Milenkovic, Phytophthora japonensis T. Jung, A. Hieno, H. Masuya & J.F. Webber, Phytophthora limosa T. Corcobado, T. Majek, M. Ferreira & T. Jung, Phytophthora macroglobulosa H.-C. Zeng, H.-H. Ho, F.-C. Zheng & T. Jung, Phytophthora montana T. Jung, Y. Balci, K. Broders & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora multipapillata T. Jung, M. Tarigan, I. Milenkovic & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora multiplex T. Jung, Y. Balci, K. Broders & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora nimia T. Jung, H. Masuya, A. Hieno & C.M. Brasier, Phytophthora oblonga T. Jung, S. Uematsu, K. Kageyama & C.M. Brasier, Phytophthora obovoidea T. Jung, Y. Balci, L. Garcia & B. Mendieta-Araica, Phytophthora obturata T. Jung, N.M. Chi, I. Milenkovic & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora penetrans T. Jung, Y. Balci, K. Broders & I. Milenkovic, Phytophthora platani T. Jung, A. Pérez-Sierra, S.O. Cacciola & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora proliferata T. Jung, N.M. Chi, I. Milenkovic & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora pseudocapensis T. Jung, T.-T. Chang, I. Milenkovic & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora pseudocitrophthora T. Jung, S.O. Cacciola, J. Bakonyi & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora pseudofrigida T. Jung, A. Durán, M. Tarigan & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora pseudoccultans T. Jung, T.-T. Chang, I. Milenkovic & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora pyriformis T. Jung, Y. Balci, K.D. Boders & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora sumatera T. Jung, M. Tarigan, M. Junaid & A. Durán, Phytophthora transposita T. Jung, K. Kageyama, C.M. Brasier & H. Masuya, Phytophthora vacuola T. Jung, H. Masuya, K. Kageyama & J.F. Webber, Phytophthora valdiviana T. Jung, E. Sanfuentes von Stowasser, A. Durán & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora variepedicellata T. Jung, Y. Balci, K. Broders & I. Milenkovic, Phytophthora vietnamensis T. Jung, N.M. Chi, I. Milenkovic & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora ×australasiatica T. Jung, N.M. Chi, M. Tarigan & M. Horta Jung, Phytophthora ×lusitanica T. Jung, M. Horta Jung, C. Maia & I. Milenkovic, Phytophthora ×taiwanensis T. Jung, T.-T. Chang, H.-S. Fu & M. Horta Jung. Citation: Jung T, Milenkovic I, Balci Y, Janousek J, Kudlácek T, Nagy ZÁ, Baharuddin B, Bakonyi J, Broders KD, Cacciola SO, Chang T-T, Chi NM, Corcobado T, Cravador A, Dordevic B, Durán A, Ferreira M, Fu C-H, Garcia L, Hieno A, Ho H-H, Hong C, Junaid M, Kageyama K, Kuswinanti T, Maia C, Májek T, Masuya H, Magnano di San Lio G, Mendieta-Araica B, Nasri N, Oliveira LSS, Pane A, Pérez-Sierra A, Rosmana A, Sanfuentes von Stowasser E, Scanu B, Singh R, Stanivukovic Z, Tarigan M, Thu PQ, Tomic Z, Tomsovský M, Uematsu S, Webber JF, Zeng H-C, Zheng F-C, Brasier CM, Horta Jung M (2024). Worldwide forest surveys reveal forty-three new species in Phytophthora major Clade 2 with fundamental implications for the evolution and biogeography of the genus and global plant biosecurity. Studies in Mycology 107: 251-388. doi: 10.3114/sim.2024.107.04.

Improvement of metabolic syndrome and its components in patients who underwent transsphenoidal resection for pituitary adenoma.

BACKGROUND: Pituitary adenomas (PA) are neoplasms of pituitary adenohypophyseal cell lineage, which are the third most common cause of brain tumors among adults. Due to hormone secretion, PAs are closely related to metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the relationship between these two entities has been scarcely studied to date. PURPOSE: This paper aims to evaluate changes in the metabolic status of patients with PA before and after surgical treatment and to look for differences in metabolic outcomes among patients according to the adenoma type and the surgery success rate. METHODS: We assessed patients with PA who went through transsphenoidal surgery for its treatment, documenting metabolic parameters before and after surgery, analyzed whole sample changes, and then stratified them according to adenoma type (nonfunctioning, somatotroph, lactotroph, and corticotroph), and surgery success (total resection, near-total resection, partial resection, subtotal resection). RESULTS: A total of 214 patients were enrolled for this study. The prevalence of MetS with AACE criteria went from 51.52% before surgery to 28.99% after surgery (P < 0.001). Hyperglycemia (HG) was the most beneficial component; it went from 56% pre-surgery to 40.51% post-surgery (P = 0.03). The total resection group had the best improvement, with a significant decrease of prevalence in MetS from 83 to 16% (P < 0.001), and every component, except hypoalphalipoproteinemia (HA): obesity went from 96 to 67% (P < 0.001), arterial hypertension (AH) 59 to 24% (P < 0.001), HG 74 to 23% (P < 0.001), and hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) from 81 to 54% (P < 0.001). According to MetS prevalence, there was no difference in the improvement according to PA type. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment in patients with PA is associated with MetS improvement.

Pre-and post-surgical non-functional pituitary adenomas and their relationship with high levels of serum glucose.

OBJECTIVES: This clinical, analytical, retro-prospective, auto-controlled, not randomized, and not blinded study, aimed to investigate the association of changes in the serum glucose levels with the pre-and-post changes in the size tumor in mm3 in the Non-Functional pituitary adenomas. METHODS: Pre-and post-surgical MRI, as well as the measurements in the serum glucose levels and immunohistochemical techniques were performed in all the patients in the study, with a mean followed-up until 208.57 days. A comparison was made between the reductions in tumor size of hormonally active pituitary adenomas (HSPAs) vs NFPAs. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients were included in this study, of whom, 46 were NFPAs. The decrease in the NFPAs tumor size after surgery was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.0001). The Mean of the differences of both type of tumors in mm3 were -9552 ± 10287. Pre-surgery, the mean of the HSPAs were 8.923 ± 2.078; and the NFPAs were 14.161 ± 1.912. The differences in the tumor size were statistically significant (p = 0.039). Post-surgical, the mean of the HSPAs were 2.079 ± 971, with a (p = 0.14): and the NFPAs were 4.609 ± 1.205. After surgery of the NFPAs, most of the patients-maintained serum levels ≤ 100 mg/dL, with a statistical significance (P ≤ 0.0003). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates for the first time the correlation between the presence of pre-and post- surgical changes in the NFPAs, with modifications in the levels of serum glucose, and the comparison, pre- and post-surgical between the tumor size of HSPAs and NFPAs.

Multiple and contrasting pressures determine intraspecific phytochemical variation in a tropical shrub.

Intraspecific phytochemical variation across a landscape can cascade up trophic levels, potentially mediating the composition of entire insect communities. Surprisingly, we have little understanding of the processes that regulate and maintain phytochemical variation within species, likely because these processes are complex and operate simultaneously both temporally and spatially. To assess how phytochemistry varies within species, we tested the degree to which resource availability, contrasting soil type, and herbivory generate intraspecific chemical variation in growth and defense of the tropical shrub, Piper imperiale (Piperaceae). We quantified changes in both growth (e.g., nutritional protein, above- and below-ground biomass) and defense (e.g., imide chemicals) of individual plants using a well-replicated fully factorial shade-house experiment in Costa Rica. We found that plants grown in high light, nutrient- and richer old alluvial soil had increased biomass. High light was also important for increasing foliar protein. Thus, investment into growth was determined by resource availability and soil composition. Surprisingly, we found that chemical defenses decreased in response to herbivory. We also found that changes in plant protein were more plastic compared to plant defense, indicating that constitutive defenses may be relatively fixed, and thus an adaptation to chronic herbivory that is common in tropical forests. We demonstrate that intraspecific phytochemical variation of P. imperiale is shaped by resource availability from light and soil type. Because environmental heterogeneity occurs over small spatial scales (tens of meters), herbivores may be faced with a complex phytochemical landscape that may regulate how much damage any individual plant sustains.

Increased risk of group B streptococcal sepsis and meningitis in HIV-exposed uninfected infants in a high-income country.

The purpose of this study is to compare group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection incidence in HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) and HIV-unexposed (HU) infants in a Spanish cohort. We conducted a retrospective study in 5 hospitals in Madrid (Spain). Infants ≤ 90 days of life with a GBS infection were included from January 2008 to December 2017. Incidence of GBS infection in HEU and HU children was compared. HEU infants presented a sevenfold greater risk of GBS infection and a 29-fold greater risk of GBS meningitis compared to HU, with statistical significance. Early-onset infection was tenfold more frequent in HEU children, with statistical significance, and late-onset infection was almost fivefold more frequent in the HUE infants' group, without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: HEU infants presented an increased risk of GBS sepsis and meningitis. One in each 500 HEU infants of our cohort had a central nervous system infection and 1 in each 200, a GBS infection. Although etiological causes are not well understood, this should be taken into account by physicians when attending this population. WHAT IS KNOWN: • HIV-exposed uninfected infants are at higher risk of severe infections. • An increased susceptibility of these infants to group B Streptococcus infections has been described in low- and high-income countries, including a higher risk of meningitis in a South African cohort. WHAT IS NEW: • Group B Streptococcal meningitis is more frequent in HIV-exposed uninfected infants also in high-income countries. • Physicians should be aware of this increased risk when attending these infants.

Pre- and post-clinical-radiological and surgical evaluation of patients with pituitary adenoma and metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Pituitary adenomas are benign tumors located in the anterior hypophysis. Its appearance is associated with the development of parameters related to metabolic syndrome; therefore, surgical treatment could reduce associated morbimortality. METHODS: Pre- and post-surgical MRI, using the Hardy-Wilson and Knosp classification, and clinical data according to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) criteria for metabolic syndrome: all the patients were followed-up until 208.57 days were reviewed on 217 consecutive patients with pituitary surgery. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients were included in this study. There was a significant reduction in tumor size in mm3 [average pre- and post-surgery respectively: 12,362 mm3 (±12,397); 3,910 mm3 (±7,160)], (p < 0.0001). This was confirmed by the Hardy-Wilson and Knosp classification, where most patients went from grade IV C (33.7%) to grade 0 (12.1%), IA (20.2%), IIB (21.36%), and IIC (16.2%); as well as from grade 4 (24.3%) to grade 0 (45.9%), respectively. After surgery, there were statistically significant reductions in total serum levels of glucose [average pre- and post-surgery, respectively: 116 mg/dL (±26.9); 90 mg/dL (±10.2)], (p < 0.001), triglycerides [average pre- and post-surgery, 240 mg/dL (±102); 171 mg/dL (±60.5)], (p = 0.001); and HDL-c [average pre- and post-surgery, respectively: 39 mg/dL (±11.8); 44.6 mg/dL (±8.4)], (p = 0.029). The other parameters remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to demonstrate the relationship between the presence of pituitary adenoma and significative changes in serum glucose, triglycerides and c-HDL related to metabolic syndrome.

Using NIR irradiation and magnetic bismuth ferrite microparticles to accelerate the removal of polystyrene microparticles from the drinking water.

Magnetic bismuth ferrite (BiFO) microparticles were employed for the first time for the removal of polystyrene (PS) nano/microplastics from the drinking water. BiFO is formed by porous agglomerates with sizes of 5-11 µm, while the PS nano/microparticles have sizes in the range of 70-11000 nm. X-ray diffraction studies demonstrated that the BiFO microparticles are composed of BiFeO3/Bi25FeO40 (the content of Bi25FeO40 is ≈ 8.6%). Drinking water was contaminated with PS nano/microparticles (1 g L-1) and BiFO microparticles were also added to the contaminated water. Later, the mixture of PS-particles + BiFO was irradiated with NIR light (980 nm). Consequently, PS nano/microparticles melted on the BiFO microparticles due to the excessive heating on their surface. At the same time, the NIR (near infrared) light generated oxidizing agents (∙OH and h+), which degraded the by-products formed during the photocatalytic degradation of PS nano/microparticles. Subsequently, the NIR irradiation was stopped, and a Neodymium magnet was utilized to separate the BiFO microparticles from the water. This last procedure also permitted the removal of PS nano/microparticles by physical adsorption. Zeta potential measurements demonstrated that the BiFO surface was positively charged, allowing the removal of the negatively charged PS nano/microparticles by electrostatic attraction. The combination of the photocatalytic process and the physical adsorption permitted a complete removal of PS nano/microparticles after only 90 min as well as a high mineralization of by-products (≈95.5% as confirmed by the total organic carbon measurements). We estimate that ≈23.6% of the PS nano/microparticles were eliminated by photocatalysis and the rest of PS particles (≈76.4%) by physical adsorption. An outstanding adsorption capacity of 195.5 mg g-1 was obtained after the magnetic separation of the BiFO microparticles from the water. Hence, the results of this research demonstrated that using photocatalysis + physical-adsorption is a feasible strategy to quickly remove microplastic contaminants from the water.

Moderate to Severe Psoriasis in Older Adults: Recommendations on Management from the Psoriasis Working Group of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV). / Recomendaciones del Grupo de Psoriasis de la Academia Española de Dermatología y Venereología sobre el manejo del paciente de edad avanzada con psoriasis en placas moderada-grave.

Managing moderate to severe psoriasis in older adults is complex due to factors characteristic of the later years of life, such as associated comorbidity, polypharmacy, and immunosenescence. This consensus statement discusses 17 recommendations for managing treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis in patients older than 65 years. The recommendations were proposed by a committee of 6 dermatologists who reviewed the literature. Fifty-one members of the Psoriasis Working Group of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV) then applied the Delphi process in 2 rounds to reach consensus on which principles to adopt. The recommendations can help to improve management, outcomes, and prognosis for older adults with moderate to severe psoriasis.

[Association of SARS-CoV-2 infection and administration of COVID-19 vaccines with alterations in the menstrual cycle. Literature review]. / Asociación de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 y la administración de las vacunas contra la COVID-19 con alteraciones en el ciclo menstrual. Revisión de la literatura.

A number of factors can affect a woman's menstrual cycle, including diseases or drugs, such as COVID-19 disease and vaccinations. The aim of this review is to explore the studies published to date that have studied the presence of alterations that may be related to COVID-19 or vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.We conducted a review in the PubMed database, selecting 10 articles in which the menstrual cycle of adult women of childbearing age was studied, 3 of them in which the participants had been diagnosed with COVID-19 and 7 in which the participants had been vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.Regarding COVID-19-related disturbances, 16%-47.2% of the participants presented a prolongation of their cycle, which was more frequent in those who reported more COVID-19 symptoms, and which normalised after 1-2 cycles.Regarding the alterations described after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, 45%-78% of participants reported menstrual cycle alterations, with disparate results for the different parameters analysed, except that the alterations resolved in about 2 months.Both COVID-19 disease and vaccination appear to be associated with the occurrence of menstrual disturbances, which are limited in time and not severe. However, studies are scarce to date, and it is important to continue to develop studies that provide scientific evidence.

Development of an Anti-Acinetobacter baumannii Biofilm Phage Cocktail: Genomic Adaptation to the Host.

The need for alternatives to antibiotic therapy due to the emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria (MDR), such as the nosocomial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii, has led to the recovery of phage therapy. In addition, phages can be combined in cocktails to increase the host range. In this study, the evolutionary mechanism of adaptation was utilized in order to develop a phage adapted to A. baumannii, named phage Ab105-2phiΔCI404ad, from a mutant lytic phage, Ab105-2phiΔCI, previously developed by our group. The whole genome sequence of phage Ab105-2phiΔCI404ad was determined, showing that four genomic rearrangements events occurred in the tail morphogenesis module affecting the ORFs encoding the host receptor binding sites. As a consequence of the genomic rearrangements, 10 ORFs were lost and four new ORFs were obtained, all encoding tail proteins; two inverted regions were also derived from these events. The adaptation process increased the host range of the adapted phage by almost 3-fold. In addition, a depolymerase-expressing phenotype, indicated by formation of a halo, which was not observed in the ancestral phage, was obtained in 81% of the infected strains. A phage cocktail was formed by combining this phage with the A. baumannii phage vB_AbaP_B3, known to express a depolymerase. Both the individual phages and the phage cocktail showed strong antimicrobial activity against 5 clinical strains and 1 reference strain of A. baumannii tested. However, in all cases resistance to the bacterial strains was also observed. The antibiofilm activity of the individual phages and the cocktail was assayed. The phage cocktail displayed strong antibiofilm activity.

Does exposure to greenness improve children's neuropsychological development and mental health? A Navigation Guide systematic review of observational evidence for associations.

BACKGROUND: Contact with nature may have a key role in child brain development. Recent observational studies have reported improvements in children's neuropsychological development and mental health associated with greenness exposure. In a rapidly urbanizing word, researchers, policymakers, healthcare workers and urban planners need to work together to elaborate evidence-based policies and interventions to increase the availability of quality green space with the potential to enhance childhood development. OBJECTIVE: To review the observational evidence assessing the effect of exposure to greenness on children's neuropsychological development and mental health. METHODS: The protocol for the review was preregistered at PROSPERO (CRD42020213838). The Navigation Guide systematic review methodology was followed. Search strategies were formulated and adapted to each database. Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and EBSCO's GreenFILE on October 5, 2021. Additional articles were further identified by hand-searching reference lists of included papers. RESULTS: A systematic search of 4 databases identified 621 studies, of which 34 were included in the review. The studies included investigated diverse domains within neuropsychological development and mental health, such as attention, working memory, intelligence, cognitive development, academic performance, well-being, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, and behavior. Most of the studies were rated as having high or probably high risk of bias in the assessment. DISCUSSION: Although nearly all studies showed a positive association between greenness exposure and the outcomes studied, the heterogeneity in the methods used to assess exposure and the diversity of domains within each main outcome has made it difficult to draw clear conclusions. Future studies should adopt a longitudinal design to confirm the causality of the associations and include measures to determine which characteristics of greenness have the greatest influence on each domain. Researchers should also try to explore pathways linking exposure to greenness with the neuropsychological development and mental health, by implementing mechanistic studies.

Mediating role of depressive symptoms linking insecure attachment and disordered eating in adolescents: A multiwave longitudinal study.

Research has supported a link between insecure attachment and disordered eating in adolescents; however, how this influence is exerted remains unclear. This study explored whether depressive symptoms constitute a pathway through which insecure attachment to parents predicts subsequent development of disordered eating in the transition from childhood to adolescence. The study also examines whether there are differential effects regarding the attachment figure, child's gender, or reciprocity between variables. A community-based sample of Spanish youth (n = 904; 49.4% girls) was followed biennially from age 10 to 16 years. Attachment, depressive symptoms, and disordered eating were measured using the Inventory of Parental and Peer Attachment, Children's Depression Inventory, and Children's Eating Attitudes Test, respectively. Prospective data were analyzed using a dynamic panel model, which accounts for unmeasured time-invariant factors. Whereas insecure attachment to the father did not predict later depression or disordered eating, higher insecure attachment to the mother at ages 10 and 12 years predicted more disordered eating at ages 14 and 16 years via increased depressive symptoms at ages 12 and 14 years. No child's gender-specific or reverse mediational effects were found. This study suggests that an increase in depressive symptoms might be one mechanism by which insecure attachment exerts its influence on the development of eating disorders symptomatology in adolescence. Intervention efforts aimed at strengthening particularly the mother-child attachment relationship may reduce the vulnerability to develop depressive symptoms and disordered eating.

Anaphylaxis: Mediators, Biomarkers, and Microenvironments.

The life-threatening nature of anaphylactic reactions has increased interest in discovering new biomarkers that could improve diagnosis and prevention. However, the diverse nature of the clinical features and the etiology and pathogenesis of anaphylaxis hinder the identification of valuable molecular indicators of disease. Most studies on anaphylaxis focus on the immune system. Anaphylactic reactions are characterized primarily by IgE-mediated activation of mast cells and basophils and release of mediators. Determination of serum tryptase levels is the main in vitro test used to confirm the reaction, although there are no biomarkers that can predict it. Nevertheless, recent research has postulated that alternative pathways, cell types, and systems are involved. Consequently, various molecular products have been explored and considered potential biomarkers, although none of them are yet used in clinical practice. The products that are altered in patients with anaphylaxis include vasoactive agents, proteases, proteoglycans, lipids, interleukins, cytokines, products of the complement-contact and coagulation systems, circulating proteins, extracellular vesicles, microRNAs, and metabolites. The recognition of biological processes and molecular pathways affecting the microenvironments involved in anaphylaxis will considerably improve clinical practice and the identification of better molecular markers. We offer a broad review of the various mediators described in anaphylaxis, consider their usefulness as potential biomarkers of this pathological event, and examine their role in the molecular basis of the reaction.

Biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles as potent antibacterial effective against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most worrisome infectious bacteria due to its intrinsic and acquired resistance against several antibiotics and the recalcitrance of its infections; hence, the development of novel antimicrobials effective against multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa is mandatory. In this work, silver nanoparticles obtained by green synthesis using a leaf extract and fungi were tested against a battery of clinical strains from cystic fibrosis, pneumonia and burnt patients, some of them with multidrug resistance. Both nanoparticles showed a potent antibacterial effect, causing severe damage to the cell wall, membrane and DNA, and inducing the production of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, the nanoparticles derived from fungi showed synergistic antibacterial effects with the antibiotics meropenem and levofloxacin for some clinical strains and both kinds of nanoparticles were nontoxic for larvae of the moth Galleria mellonella, encouraging further research for their implementation in the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections.

The impacts of seasonal variation and climate on food utilization in a population of critically endangered cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) in Colombia: A 22-year longitudinal study.

To examine how precipitation patterns and climate change impact feeding choices made by a population of critically endangered cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus), we examined 22 years of feeding data (1999-2020) from 21 groups collected at Parque Natural Regional Bosque Seco El Ceibal Mono Tití in Santa Catalina, Colombia. We describe the diet and examine the role of seasonal rainfall and annual variation in rainfall on diet. Rainfall is highly seasonal (mean annual rainfall 1562 mm [range 940-2680 mm]) with a dry, early rainy, and late rainy season in each year. Over 80 species of plants formed part of the fruit, nectar, and exudate components of the diet. Fruits, although available year-round, were more commonly available and consumed during the late rainy seasons (August-November). Exudates were consumed more frequently in the dry season (December-March) and invertebrate consumption was stable across the year. Nectar feeding from a single species (Combretum fruticosum) peaked in November. Rainfall varied over the years, with 13 years exceeding the 99% confidence intervals for mean rainfall. Ten of these extreme years (both drought and extremely wet) occurred in the last 11 years. Fruit consumption did not vary between extreme and average years, but cotton-top tamarins consumed more invertebrates and exudates in wet years. Presently, cotton-top tamarins appear to be able to cope with these extreme variations in rainfall due to their highly varied diet. However, the forests that these primates depend upon for survival are threatened by human exploitation making it critically important to maintain a generalist feeding strategy for survival as many fruiting trees that compose a large proportion of the diet are removed. As conservation efforts continue, plant species consumed by cotton-top tamarins provide useful data when selecting species for habitat restoration programs.

Effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on gestational hormone production in a placental cell line: Application of passive dosing to in vitro tests.

Air pollution includes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which have been correlated to endocrine disruptor pathways during early pregnancy. PAHs have been found in the placenta and cord blood, which may affect the hormones involved in placental development. We studied the effects of some airborne PAHs on beta human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) and progesterone production by using a syncytial BeWo cell line as a placental model. PAH congeners were spiked in silicon rubber membrane (SRMs) and were then introduced into the cell medium by the passive dosing method to reach a freely dissolved concentration for BeWo cell exposure. Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector was used to analyze the PAHs, and electrochemiluminescence was used to test the hormone levels. Our results showed that passive dosing can deliver low levels of PAH congeners in the cell medium, which allowed us to calculate the individual release constants at equilibrium and to estimate their effects. Benzo[a]pyrene was released quickly from the SRMs to the cell medium, which can be attributed to its lipophilic properties. The PAHs were shown to decrease the ß-hCG level in the short term and progesterone level in the long term, so they may serve as a pathway for endocrine disorder in trophoblastic cells. This approximation may explain observations of impaired endometrium receptivity and placental dysfunction, which enhance adverse pregnancy outcomes such as embryonic mortality and intrauterine growth restriction.