Identification and validation of novel Blastocystis subtype ST41 in a Colombian patient undergoing colorectal cancer screening.

Blastocystis sp. is among the most frequent intestinal protists identified in humans globally. However, characterization of Blastocystis subtype diversity in humans is ongoing. We report here the identification of novel Blastocystis subtype ST41 in a Colombian patient undergoing colorectal cancer screening involving colonoscopy and fecal testing (microscopy, culture, PCR). The full-length ssu rRNA gene sequence of the protist was generated using MinION long-read sequencing technology. The validity of the novel subtype was confirmed via phylogenetic and pairwise distance analyses of the full-length ST41 sequence and all other valid subtypes. The study provides reference material essential for conducting subsequent experimental studies.

The genomic study of an environmental isolate of Scedosporium apiospermum shows its metabolic potential to degrade hydrocarbons.

Crude oil contamination of soils and waters is a worldwide problem, which has been actively addressed in recent years. Sequencing genomes of microorganisms involved in the degradation of hydrocarbons have allowed the identification of several promoters, genes, and degradation pathways of these contaminants. This knowledge allows a better understanding of the functional dynamics of microbial degradation. Here, we report a first draft of the 44.2 Mbp genome assembly of an environmental strain of the fungus Scedosporium apiospermum. The assembly consisted of 178 high-quality DNA scaffolds with 1.93% of sequence repeats identified. A total of 11,195 protein-coding genes were predicted including a diverse group of gene families involved in hydrocarbon degradation pathways like dioxygenases and cytochrome P450. The metabolic pathways identified in the genome can potentially degrade hydrocarbons like chloroalkane/alkene, chorocyclohexane, and chlorobenzene, benzoate, aminobenzoate, fluorobenzoate, toluene, caprolactam, geraniol, naphthalene, styrene, atrazine, dioxin, xylene, ethylbenzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The comparison analysis between this strain and the previous sequenced clinical strain showed important differences in terms of annotated genes involved in the hydrocarbon degradation process.

Aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen: their effects on orthodontic tooth movement.

INTRODUCTION: Orthodontic patients often take analgesics for pain during treatment. But various analgesics have different capacities to inhibit prostaglandins, and these differences might affect tooth movement. The purposes of this study were to determine by direct measurement the effects that acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen have on orthodontic tooth movement in rats and to evaluate histologically the differences in bone resorption in the pressure area in rats treated with these analgesics. METHODS: Thirty-six adult male Wistar rats were divided in 4 groups of 9 each. Orthodontic appliances were placed on the rats' incisors. In the 3 experimental groups, analgesics were diluted in reverse osmosis water and delivered via a gastric tube: 100 mg/kg acetylsalicylic acid, or 30 mg/kg ibuprofen, or 200 mg/kg acetaminophen. Control animals received only the reverse osmosis water. At the end of the experimental period, the rats were killed and histological examinations were performed. RESULTS: Analysis of variance showed statistically significant differences between the control group, which was given reverse osmosis water, and the groups given aspirin and ibuprofen. There were also statistically significant differences between the acetaminophen group and the ibuprofen and aspirin groups, respectively. There was no significant difference between the acetaminophen group and the control group, or between the aspirin and ibuprofen groups. Tooth movement was similar in the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics such as aspirin and ibuprofen diminish the number of osteoclasts, probably by inhibiting the secretion of prostaglandins, thereby reducing orthodontic tooth movement. Acetaminophen did not affect orthodontic tooth movement in rats, and it might be the analgesic of choice for treating pain associated with orthodontic treatment.