Bacterial vitamin B6 is required for post-embryonic development in C. elegans.

Nutritional intake influences animal growth, reproductive capacity, and survival of animals. Under nutrition deficiency, animal developmental arrest occurs as an adaptive strategy to survive. However, the nutritional basis and the underlying nutrient sensing mechanism essential for animal regrowth after developmental arrest remain to be explored. In Caenorhabditis elegans, larvae undergo early developmental arrest are stress resistant, and they require certain nutrients to recover postembryonic development. Here, we investigated the developmental arrest in C. elegans feeding on Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and the rescue of the diapause state with trace supplementation of Escherichia coli. We performed a genome-wide screen using 3983 individual gene deletion E. coli mutants and identified E. coli genes that are indispensable for C. elegans larval growth on originally not nutritionally sufficient bacteria L. plantarum. Among these crucial genes, we confirmed E. coli pdxH, and the downstream metabolite pyridoxal 5-P (PLP, Vitamin B6) as important nutritional factors for C. elegans postembryonic development. Transcriptome results suggest that bacterial pdxH affects host development by coordinating host metabolic processes and PLP binding. Additionally, the developmental arrest induced by the L. plantarum diet in worm does not depend on the activation of FoxO/DAF-16. Altogether, these results highlight the role of microbial metabolite PLP as a crucial cofactor to restore postembryonic development in C. elegans.

Motor Imagery and Pain Processing in Patients With Entrapment Neuropathies: A Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To assess the ability to generate both kinesthetic and visual motor imagery in participants with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), compared with asymptomatic participants. (2) To assess the influence of psychophysiological and functional variables in the motor imagery process. METHODS: Twenty patients with unilateral CTS and 18 pain-free individuals were recruited. An observational case-control study with a nonprobability sample was conducted to assess visual and kinesthetic movement imagery ability and psychophysiological variables in patients with CTS compared with asymptomatic participants in a control group. The trial was conducted in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology statement. RESULTS: CTS patients have more difficulties in generating visual motor images compared with asymptomatic individuals ( t =-2.099; P <0.05; d=0.70). They need more time to complete the mental tasks (visual t =-2.424; P <0.05 and kinesthetic t =-2.200; P <0.05). A negative correlation was found between the ability to imagine and functional deficits ( r =-0.569; P =0.021) for the kinesthetic subscale and temporal summation ( r =-0.515; P <0.5). A positive correlation was found between pain pressure threshold homolateral (homolateral) and time to generate the visual mental images ( r =0.537; P <0.05). DISCUSSION: CTS patients have greater difficulty generating motor images than asymptomatic individuals. Patients also spend more time during mental tasks. CTS patients present a relationship between temporal summation and the capacity to generate kinesthetic images. In addition, the CST patients presented a correlation between chronometry mental tasking and mechanical hyperalgesia.

Prescription of therapeutic exercise in migraine, an evidence-based clinical practice guideline.

The main objective of this clinical practice guideline is to provide a series of recommendations for healthcare and exercise professionals, such as neurologists, physical therapists, and exercise physiologists, regarding exercise prescription for patients with migraine.This guideline was developed following the methodology and procedures recommended in the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE). The quality of evidence and strength of recommendations were evaluated with the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). A systematic literature review was performed and an established appraisal process was employed to rate the quality of relevant scientific research (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology).The evaluation of the current evidence, the elaboration of the grades of recommendation, and their validation show a B grade of recommendation for aerobic exercise, moderate-continuous aerobic exercise, yoga, and exercise and lifestyle recommendations for the improvement of symptoms, disability, and quality of life in patients with migraine. Relaxation techniques, high-intensity interval training, low-intensity continuous aerobic exercise, exercise and relaxation techniques, Tai Chi, and resistance exercise obtained a C grade of recommendation for the improvement of migraine symptoms and disability.

Effect of Different Physical Therapy Interventions on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Patients: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: The main objectives of this review were, firstly, to study the effect of different physiotherapy interventions on BDNF levels, and, secondly, to analyze the influence of physiotherapy on pain levels to subsequently draw conclusions about its possible relationship with BDNF. BACKGROUND: Based on the theory that neurotrophic factors such as BDNF play a fundamental role in the initiation and/or maintenance of hyperexcitability of central neurons in pain, it was hypothesized that the levels of this neurotrophic factor may be modified by the application of therapeutic interventions, favoring a reduction in pain intensity. METHODS: A literature search of multiple electronic databases (Pubmed, PsycINFO, Medline (Ebsco), Scopus, WOS, Embase) was conducted to identify randomized control trials (RCTs) published without language restrictions up to and including March 2022. The search strategy was based on the combination of medical terms (Mesh) and keywords relating to the following concepts: "pain", "chronic pain", "brain derived neurotrophic factor", "BDNF", "physiotherapy", and "physical therapy". A total of seven papers were included. RESULTS: There were two studies that showed statistically significant differences in pain intensity reduction and an increase in the BDNF levels that used therapies such as rTMS and EIMS in patients with chronic myofascial pain. However, the same conclusions cannot be drawn for the other physical therapies applied. CONCLUSIONS: rTMS and EIMS interventions achieved greater short-term reductions in pain intensity and increased BDNF over other types of interventions in chronic myofascial pain patients, as demonstrated by a moderate amount of evidence. In contrast, other types of physical therapy (PT) interventions did not appear to be more effective in decreasing pain intensity and increasing BDNF levels than placebo PT or minimal intervention, as a low amount of evidence was found.

Distribution of IntraThalamic Injury According to Nuclei and Vascular Territories in Children With Term Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury.

BACKGROUND: Term hypoxic-ischemic injury (HII) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is described as the basal ganglia thalamus [BGT], watershed [WS], or combined [BGT/WS] groups. We aimed to determine differences between HII groups in intrathalamic distribution. METHODS: Delayed MRIs of children with HII and thalamic injury were reviewed. Custom tools were placed over T2-weighted and/or fluid-attenuated inversion recovery axial images to determine distribution of intrathalamic injury: (1) six subjective (whole/near-whole, central, anterior, posterior, lateral, medial); (2) four nuclear (anterior [AN], ventrolateral [VLN], medial [MN], and pulvinar [PN]); and (3) three arterial (thalamoperforating arteries [TPA], thalamogeniculate arteries [TGA], and posterior choroidal arteries [PCA]) locations. We compared the frequency of injury of the aforementioned intrathalamic locations between HII groups. RESULTS: The 128 children (mean age at MRI 7.35 ± 3.6 years) comprised 41% (n = 53) BGT, 26% (n = 33) WS, and 33% (n = 42) BGT/WS. The VLN was the most frequent injured nuclear region (66%, n = 85), and the TGA (93%, n = 128) was the most frequent arterial region involved. VLN injury occurred more frequently in the BGT group (P < 0.001), PN in the WS group (P < 0.001), and AN (P < 0.001), MN (P < 0.001), PN (P = 0.001), and all nuclei together (P < 0.001) in the BGT/WS group. The combination of all vascular territories was significantly associated with BGT/WS (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There are significant differences in intrathalamic nuclear and arterial injuries between the different types of HII.

PET Imaging and Neurohistochemistry Reveal that Curcumin Attenuates Brain Hypometabolism and Hippocampal Damage Induced by Status Epilepticus in Rats.

Numerous preclinical studies provide evidence that curcumin, a polyphenolic phytochemical extracted from Curcuma longa (turmeric) has neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties against various neurological disorders. Curcumin neuroprotective effects have been reported in different animal models of epilepsy, but its potential effect attenuating brain glucose hypometabolism, considered as an early marker of epileptogenesis that occurs during the silent period following status epilepticus (SE), still has not been addressed. To this end, we used the lithium-pilocarpine rat model to induce SE. Curcumin was administered orally (300 mg/kg/day, for 17 days). Brain glucose metabolism was evaluated in vivo by 2-deoxy-2-[18F]Fluoro-D-Glucose ([18F]FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). In addition, hippocampal integrity, neurodegeneration, microglia-mediated neuroinflammation, and reactive astrogliosis were evaluated as markers of brain damage. SE resulted in brain glucose hypometabolism accompanied by body weight (BW) loss, hippocampal neuronal damage, and neuroinflammation. Curcumin did not reduce the latency time to the SE onset, nor the mortality rate associated with SE. Nevertheless, it reduced the number of seizures, and in the surviving rats, curcumin protected BW and attenuated the short-term glucose brain hypometabolism as well as the signs of neuronal damage and neuroinflammation induced by the SE. Overall, our results support the potential adaptogen-like effects of curcumin attenuating key features of SE-induced brain damage.

Effect of Physiotherapeutic Interventions on Biomarkers of Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review of Preclinical Literature.

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of physiotherapeutic interventions on biomarkers of neuropathic pain in preclinical models of peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP). The search was performed in Pubmed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane, Cinhal, Psycinfo, Scopus, Medline, and Science Direct. Studies evaluating any type of physiotherapy intervention for PNP (systemic or traumatic) were included. Eighty-one articles were included in this review. The most common PNP model was chronic constriction injury, and the most frequently studied biomarkers were related to neuro-immune processes. Exercise therapy and Electro-acupuncture were the 2 most frequently studied physiotherapy interventions while acupuncture and joint mobilization were less frequently examined. Most physiotherapeutic interventions modulated the expression of biomarkers related to neuropathic pain. Whereas the results seem promising; they have to be considered with caution due to the high risk of bias of included studies and high heterogeneity of the type and anatomical localization of biomarkers reported. The review protocol is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42019142878). PERSPECTIVE: This article presents the current evidence about physiotherapeutic interventions on biomarkers of neuropathic pain in preclinical models of peripheral neuropathic pain. Existing findings are reviewed, and relevant data are provided on the effectiveness of each physiotherapeutic modality, as well as its certainty of evidence and clinical applicability.

Successful and stable operation of anaerobic thermophilic co-digestion of sun-dried sugar beet pulp and cow manure under short hydraulic retention time.

This work consists of a long-term (621 days) experimental study about biogas production from sun dried sugar beet pulp and cow manure. Thermophilic (55 °C) anaerobic co-digestion was performed in semi-continuous reactors, testing ten hydraulic retention times (30-3 days) (HRTs) and organic loading rates (2-24 gVS/Lreactor∙d) (OLRs). Results showed that the best global system performance (regarding stability, biogas production, and organic matter removal) was achieved at an HRT as short as 5 days (OLR of 12.47 gVS/Lreactor∙d) with a biogas yield of 315 mL/gVSadded. The gradual OLR increase allowed system control and time-appropriate intervention, avoiding irreversible process disturbances and maintaining admissible acidity/alkalinity ratios (<0.8) for HRTs ranging from 30 to 4 days. The accumulation of acetic acid was the main cause of the process disturbance observed at short HRTs. It was deduced that for the HRT of 3 days, the methane productivity was mainly owing to the hydrogen-utilizing methanogens pathway. This research clearly shows how an adequate combination of agro-industrial wastes and livestock manure could be processed by anaerobic co-digestion in short HRTs with great efficiency and stability and deepens in the understanding of the start-up, stability and optimization of the co-digestion.

The mouse cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic network.

The cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical loop is one of the fundamental network motifs in the brain. Revealing its structural and functional organization is critical to understanding cognition, sensorimotor behaviour, and the natural history of many neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Classically, this network is conceptualized to contain three information channels: motor, limbic and associative1-4. Yet this three-channel view cannot explain the myriad functions of the basal ganglia. We previously subdivided the dorsal striatum into 29 functional domains on the basis of the topography of inputs from the entire cortex5. Here we map the multi-synaptic output pathways of these striatal domains through the globus pallidus external part (GPe), substantia nigra reticular part (SNr), thalamic nuclei and cortex. Accordingly, we identify 14 SNr and 36 GPe domains and a direct cortico-SNr projection. The striatonigral direct pathway displays a greater convergence of striatal inputs than the more parallel striatopallidal indirect pathway, although direct and indirect pathways originating from the same striatal domain ultimately converge onto the same postsynaptic SNr neurons. Following the SNr outputs, we delineate six domains in the parafascicular and ventromedial thalamic nuclei. Subsequently, we identify six parallel cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic subnetworks that sequentially transduce specific subsets of cortical information through every elemental node of the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamic loop. Thalamic domains relay this output back to the originating corticostriatal neurons of each subnetwork in a bona fide closed loop.

Effect of probiotics administration at different levels on the productive parameters of guinea pigs for fattening (Cavia porcellus).

Background: For more than 50 years, antibiotics have been used to maintain animal welfare and improve efficiency. Recently, antibiotics were found in the muscle, liver, and kidney of guinea pig carcasses put up for sale and human consumption, which is a public health issue. Probiotics are supplements of live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate doses, could replace growth-promoting antibiotics. Aim: This study analyzed the effect of the administration of an oral probiotic mixture on the guinea pigs productive performance (Cavia porcellus). Methods: Fifty male guinea pigs, weaned at 14 days of age, were distributed in a completely randomized design of five treatments with ten repetitions for each group. The treatments were CONTROL group without probiotic; PROB 1 given 1 ml of probiotic; PROB 2 with 2 ml of probiotic; PROB 3 with 3 ml of probiotic; and antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) was given 300 ppm zinc bacitracin. The microorganisms used in the probiotic were Enterococcus hirae, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus frumenti, Lactobacillus johnsoni, Streptococcus thoraltensis, and Bacillus pumilus. Productive parameters were evaluated from weaning to 70 days of age. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the treatments on forage dry matter intake (DMI), concentrateconcentrate DMI, or total concentrate DMI (p > 0.05). Similarly, no statistical difference was found between the treatments in terms of final weight or weight gain (p > 0.05). Regarding the feed conversion ratio (FCR), there was a significant difference between treatments (p = 0.045); the CONTROL group had the highest FCR, followed by the AGP group, with the best FCR observed in the PROB 3 group (p < 0.05). In addition, significant statistical differences were found between CONTROL and PROB 2 (p < 0.05). Likewise, a significant linear effect of increasing doses of the probiotic was found (p = 0.01), which indicated that the feed conversion was better with a higher dose. Conclusion: The treatments evaluated in this study significantly impacted the FCR in guinea pigs for fattening. Increasing doses of probiotics had a linear effect on FCR.

Prevalence, Related Factors, and Levels of Burnout Among Midwives: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Burnout refers to a constellation of feelings of exhaustion, depersonalization, and low sense of personal accomplishment that develops secondary to long-term occupational stress. Several studies have identified that health care professionals are a high-risk occupational group for burnout, but knowledge about this syndrome among midwives has not been fully explored. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of the prevalence and levels of burnout among midwives and analyze the related factors. METHODS: The following databases were searched: CINAHL, LILACS, MEDLINE, ProQuest, PsycINFO, SciELO, and Scopus. Any date of publication was acceptable. Literature from different countries was included. Studies were appraised for quality following the recommendations of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. RESULTS: The literature review identified 27 studies with a total of N = 5612 midwives. The main factors related to burnout were working conditions such as work overload, lack of autonomy, and professional recognition. Midwives who had less than 10 years of experience were more vulnerable to burnout than those who had more than 10 years' experience. With regard to the subcategories of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and perceived personal achievement), midwives who did not live with a partner were more vulnerable low levels of personal accomplishment when compared with midwives who were living with a partner. The most significant protective factors against burnout were good leadership and the use of continuity models of care. DISCUSSION: Midwives had moderate levels of emotional exhaustion and low levels of personal accomplishment. Working conditions were identified as the main modifiable factors related to burnout syndrome. Intervention programs for midwives should be aimed at reducing emotional exhaustion and enhancing personal accomplishment.

Sexually dimorphic effects of prolactin treatment on the onset of puberty and olfactory function in mice.

The onset of puberty is associated with the psychophysiological maturation of the adolescent to an adult capable of reproduction when olfactory signals play an important role. This period begins with the secretion of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from GnRH neurons within the hypothalamus. This is regulated by kisspeptin neurons that express high levels of transmembrane prolactin receptors (PRLR) that bind to and are activated by prolactin (PRL). The elevated levels of serum PRL found during lactation, or caused by chronic PRL infusion, decreases the secretion of gonadotropins and kisspeptin and compromised the estrous cyclicity and the ovulation. In the present work, we aimed to evaluate the effects of either increased or decreased PRL circulating levels within the peripubertal murine brain by administration of PRL or treatment with cabergoline (Cab) respectively. We showed that either treatment delayed the onset of puberty in females, but not in males. This was associated with the augmentation of the PRL receptor (Prlr) mRNA expression in the arcuate nucleus and decreased Kiss1 expression in the anteroventral periventricular zone. Then, during adulthood, we assessed the activation of the mitral and granular cells of the main (MOB) and accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) by cFos immunoreactivity (ir) after the exposure to soiled bedding of the opposite sex. In the MOB, the PRL treatment promoted an increased cFos-ir of the mitral cells of males and females. In the granular cells of male of either treatment an augmented activation was observed. In the AOB, an impaired cFos-ir was observed in PRL and Cab treated females after exposure to male soiled bedding. However, in males, only Cab impaired its activation. No effects were observed in the AOB-mitral cells. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that PRL contributes to pubertal development and maturation of the MOB-AOB during the murine juvenile period in a sex-dependent way.

Inclusion of different levels of inulin on productive parameters and intestinal morphology in fattening guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) / Efeito da inclusão de diferentes níveis de inulina nos parâmetros produtivos e na morfologia intestinal em cobaias de engorda (Cavia porcellus)

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the effect of the three inulin levels (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%) supplemented as a substitute for an antibiotic growth promoter (AGP, zinc bacitracin) and control in guinea pigs raised for human consumption. Fifty 14-day-old male guinea pigs were used. Productive parameters (weight gain, total dry matter intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR)) and intestinal morphology of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum at slaughter (70 days of age) were evaluated. An inverse relationship was observed between inulin levels and FCR (linear effect; P = 0.006). There was no statistically significant effect of the treatments on total dry matter intake and weight gain (P > 0.05). A linear effect of the inulin level on the villi's length (VL), villi's width (VW), and length/depth ratio (VL/DC) in the duodenum; VW in the jejunum; and VL in the ileum (P <0 .05) was reported. In conclusion, a linear effect of the increasing doses of inulin was found on the FCR and the morphological parameters of the duodenum's integrity, and no differences in the effects of the inulin added to the diet and the treatment with AGP were found.

RESUMO: O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação na dieta de cobaias com inulina, em níveis crescentes (0,1%, 0,2%, 0,4%) como substituto para um antibiótico promotor de crescimento (AGP, bacitracina de zinco) além do grupo controle (dieta padrão). Foram utilizados 50 porquinhos-da-índia machos com 14 dias de idade. Os parâmetros produtivos foram avaliados do desmame aos 70 dias de idade e os parâmetros morfológicos intestinais foram avaliados no duodeno, jejuno e íleo no momento do abate. Foi encontrado um efeito linear do nível de inulina sobre na taxa de conversão alimentar (FCR; P = 0,006), indicando que em níveis mais elevados de inulina o FCR diminui. Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos quando avaliado o efeito dos diferentes tratamentos sobre o consumo de ração e ganho de peso corporal (P > 0,05). Um efeito linear do nível de inulina foi encontrado no comprimento das vilosidades (VL), na largura das vilosidades (VW) e na relação comprimento / profundidade (VL/DC) no duodeno, sobre a VW no jejuno; e no VL no íleo (P < 0,05). Em conclusão, um efeito linear do aumento do nível de inulina foi encontrado na taxa de conversão alimentar e nos parâmetros morfológicos da integridade do duodeno, além disso, não houve diferença entre a adição de inulina na dieta e o tratamento com um antibiótico promotor de crescimento.

Play Therapy as an Intervention in Hospitalized Children: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalization disrupts children's lives and can produce feelings such as anxiety, fear, or pain. Playing is an important part of children's lives. Thus, it is necessary to ensure holistic care during the process, including play therapy. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of therapeutic play in hospitalized children. METHODS: A systematic review was performed. The search was conducted in CINAHL (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature), CUIDEN, and PubMed (Medline). The search equation was "pediatric nurs* AND play therapy". The search was performed in March 2020. RESULTS: n = 14 studies were included in the review. The studies reveal that the application of therapeutic play in hospitalized children decreases postoperative pain, improves behavior and attitude, and reduces anxiety during the hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: play therapy has a beneficial impact on the care of hospitalized children and should be implemented in pediatric units after assessing the resources and training needed for pediatric nurses.

The effect of mindfulness training on burnout syndrome in nursing: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: To analyse the effect of mindfulness training on levels of burnout among nurses. BACKGROUND: Burnout syndrome is a common occupational hazard for nursing staff. Mindfulness training has been proposed as a valid intervention for burnout. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: The CINAHL, LILACS, Medline, ProQuest, PsycINFO, Scielo and Scopus databases were consulted, using the search equation 'Nurs * AND burnout AND mindfulness'. There was no restriction on the year of publication. REVIEW METHODS: Papers were selected for analysis in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The meta-analysis was carried out using Review Manager 5.3 software. RESULTS: The sample was of 17 articles including 632 nurses. Mindfulness training reduces levels of burnout, producing lower scores for emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and higher for personal accomplishment. The differences in the means were 1.32 (95% CI: -9.41-6.78), 1.91 (95% CI: -4.50-0.68) and 2.12 (95% CI: -9.91-14.14), respectively, between the intervention and control groups. CONCLUSION: Mindfulness training reduces the emotional burden and hence levels of burnout, among nurses. However, further randomized clinical trials are required.

Prevalence and Predictors of Burnout in Midwives: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The prevalence of burnout in midwives has been briefly studied. Given the negative effects of burnout syndrome in the physical and mental health, and also related to the quality of care provided, rates of absenteeism and sick leave; identifying related factors for the syndrome are needed. The aim was to determine the prevalence, levels, and factors related to the burnout syndrome, measured with the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory in midwives. A systematic review and meta-analysis were selected from CINAHL, LILACS, ProQuest, PsycINFO, PubMed, SciELO, and Scopus databases, with the search equation "burnout AND (midwife OR midwives OR nurses midwives)". Fourteen articles were found with a total of 8959 midwives. Most of the studies showed moderate levels of personal burnout. The prevalence obtained was 50% (95% CI = 38-63) for personal burnout; 40% (95% CI = 32-49) for work-related burnout; and 10% (95% CI = 7-13) for client-related burnout. Midwives' age, less experience, and living alone constitute the main related factors, as well as, the scarcity of resources, work environment, and the care model used. Most midwives present personal and work-related burnout, which indicates a high risk of developing burnout. Personal factors and working conditions should be taken into account when assessing burnout risk profiles of midwives.

[Position statement of the Spanish Association of Paediatrics-Spanish Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases (AEP-SEIP) on the treatment of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections]. / Documento de posicionamiento de la Asociación Española de Pediatría-Sociedad Española de Infectología Pediátrica (AEP-SEIP) sobre el tratamiento de las infecciones por bacterias multirresistentes.

A progressive increase in the incidence of infections caused by multidrug-resistant microorganisms is being reported. Among these resistant microorganisms, the main threats are extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-, AmpC-, and carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacilli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. To address this important problem, it is essential to establish pediatric Antimicrobial Stewardship programs, perform active epidemiological surveillance and develop an adequate infection control policy. The therapeutic approach of these infections is often complex, frequently requiring antibiotics with less experience in children. In this position document made by the Spanish Association of Pediatrics and the Spanish Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, the epidemiology and treatment of these infections are reviewed according to the best available evidence.

Vitamin K Status in Women of Childbearing Years Before or After Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin K adequacy has not been widely studied before or after bariatric surgery. Reports of babies born with intracranial bleeds to women after bariatric surgery make this an important vitamin to study in women of childbearing years. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the functional vitamin K status in 2 groups of women of childbearing age, 1 group seeking bariatric surgery and 1 group post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). METHODS: In a cross-sectional design, 40 women [19 presurgical and 21 post-RYGB (6-18 mo following surgery)], aged 18-40 y, completed the study. Participants provided a 3-d food intake record and a list of dietary supplements routinely taken. Participants then underwent a commercially available test to measure des-γ-carboxyprothrombin (DCP) concentration as a measure of functional vitamin K status. RESULTS: Independent-samples t tests (P < 0.05) indicated that there was no significant difference [Sig (2-tailed) 0.821] between the DCP concentrations of the presurgical group and those of the post-RYGB group (mean ± SD DCP: 0.3 ± 0.1 and 0.4 ± 0.2 ng/mL, respectively). Vitamin K intake from food (248 ± 227 and 210 ± 239 µg) and supplements (13 ± 31 and 750 ± 271 µg) showed no linear correlation to DCP (presurgical group: 0.25 and -0.15, respectively; post-RYGB group: 0.13 and 0.05, respectively). Vitamin K intakes for both groups were above the current Institute of Medicine's recommended 90 µg/d for women. Bivariate correlation was conducted on other independent variables with only current BMI for the post-RYGB group having a moderate negative correlation to DCP (-0.54, P < 0.05). No correlation with statistical significance was found between other variables and DCP. CONCLUSIONS: Although the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery recommends DCP as a test to determine vitamin K adequacy, no published studies in pre- or post-RYGB patients have been performed with the current commercially available test, which is not FDA approved as a vitamin K biomarker. Previous studies reporting vitamin K inadequacies based on DCP utilized a different assay than the one currently available. Due to the importance of ensuring adequate maternal concentrations of vitamin K after bariatric surgery in order to prevent intracranial bleeding in babies, more research is needed to determine suitable vitamin K measures.

Coumarins isolated from Calophyllum brasiliense produce ultrastructural alterations and affect in vitro infectivity of Trypanosoma cruzi.

BACKGROUND: The current drugs for Chagas Disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi have limited therapeutic potential and are associated with serious side effects. Natural products can aid to develop new chemotherapeutic agents. Several natural coumarins, especially Mammea A/BA, have shown significant activity against T. cruzi and low toxicity on human lymphocytes, but its effectivity on a wide range of strains need to be tested, as well as to deepen in their mode of action and safety. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: To discern the effects and explore the action mechanisms of mammea A/BA and a mixture of mammea coumarins isolated from Calophyllum brasiliense on Mexican strains of T. cruzi belonging to different genotypes and compare its effectivity with the drug benznidazole. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated the trypanocidal activity in vitro of mammea A/BA (93.6%), and a mixture of coumarins, mammea A/BA + A/BB + A/BD (86:10:1%) on Mexican T. cruzi strains belonging to different genotypes Ninoa, Querétaro (TcI) and Ver6 (TcVI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Mammea A/BA and the mixture of coumarins, were isolated from Calophyllum brasiliense, identified by proton NMR and purity determined by HPLC. The in vitro trypanocidal activity was evaluated on mobility, growth recovery, morphology and infectivity of T. cruzi. The cytotoxicity on mammalian cells was compared with benznidazole. The ultrastructure of the treated epimastigotes was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: Mammea A/BA and the mixture of coumarins showed high trypanocidal activity, affecting the mobility, growth recovery, morphology, ultrastructure of epimastigotes, and drastically reduce trypomastigotes infectivity on Vero cells. These substances were four times more potent than benznidazole and showed low cytotoxicity and high selectivity index. The TEM showed severe alterations on the plasmatic membrane, nuclear envelope, as well as, mitochondrial swelling, that leads to the death of parasites. CONCLUSION: Mammea A/BA (93.6%) and a mixture of mammea A/BA + A/BB and A/BD (86: 10: 1%) isolated from the tropical tree C. brasiliense showed higher trypanocidal activity than the current drug benznidazole on three Mexican strains of T. cruzi. These compounds induced severe physiological and morphological alterations. These results suggest their possible use in preclinical studies.

Pacbio Sequencing Reveals Identical Organelle Genomes between American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) and a Wild Relative.

Breeding efforts in the American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.), a North American perennial fruit crop of great importance, have been hampered by the limited genetic and phenotypic variability observed among cultivars and experimental materials. Most of the cultivars commercially used by cranberry growers today were derived from a few wild accessions bred in the 1950s. In different crops, wild germplasm has been used as an important genetic resource to incorporate novel traits and increase the phenotypic diversity of breeding materials. Vaccinium microcarpum (Turcz. ex Rupr.) Schmalh. and V. oxycoccos L., two closely related species, may be cross-compatible with the American cranberry, and could be useful to improve fruit quality such as phytochemical content. Furthermore, given their northern distribution, they could also help develop cold hardy cultivars. Although these species have previously been analyzed in diversity studies, genomic characterization and comparative studies are still lacking. In this study, we sequenced and assembled the organelle genomes of the cultivated American cranberry and its wild relative, V. microcarpum. PacBio sequencing technology allowed us to assemble both mitochondrial and plastid genomes at very high coverage and in a single circular scaffold. A comparative analysis revealed that the mitochondrial genome sequences were identical between both species and that the plastids presented only two synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Moreover, the Illumina resequencing of additional accessions of V. microcarpum and V. oxycoccos revealed high genetic variation in both species. Based on these results, we provided a hypothesis involving the extension and dynamics of the last glaciation period in North America, and how this could have shaped the distribution and dispersal of V. microcarpum. Finally, we provided important data regarding the polyploid origin of V. oxycoccos.