Chemokines Kill Bacteria by Binding Anionic Phospholipids without Triggering Antimicrobial Resistance.

Classically, chemokines coordinate leukocyte trafficking during immune responses; however, many chemokines have also been reported to possess direct antibacterial activity in vitro. Yet, the bacterial killing mechanism of chemokines and the biochemical properties that define which members of the chemokine superfamily are antimicrobial remain poorly understood. Here we report that the antimicrobial activity of chemokines is defined by their ability to bind phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin, two anionic phospholipids commonly found in the bacterial plasma membrane. We show that only chemokines able to bind these two phospholipids kill Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and that they exert rapid bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects against E. coli with a higher potency than the antimicrobial peptide beta-defensin 3. Furthermore, our data support that bacterial membrane cardiolipin facilitates the antimicrobial action of chemokines. Both biochemical and genetic interference with the chemokine-cardiolipin interaction impaired microbial growth arrest, bacterial killing, and membrane disruption by chemokines. Moreover, unlike conventional antibiotics, E. coli failed to develop resistance when placed under increasing antimicrobial chemokine pressure in vitro. Thus, we have identified cardiolipin and phosphatidylglycerol as novel binding partners for chemokines responsible for chemokine antimicrobial action. Our results provide proof of principle for developing chemokines as novel antibiotics resistant to bacterial antimicrobial resistance mechanisms.

The impact of Pathology Outreach Program (POP) on United States and Canadian high school students.

Given recent trends in National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) data, there exists a looming deficit of practicing pathologists. As such, the Pathology Outreach Program (POP) was established in 2018 in the United States, and in 2022 in Canada, to educate high school students about pathology and laboratory medicine to help curb this projected shortage. We present survey data gathered from several educational sessions hosted at high schools in the United States (U.S.) and Canada over a 5-year period comparing participants' perceptions and awareness of pathology both before and after each session. Using this data, we wish to highlight the positive impact of POP on increasing students' awareness and appreciation for careers in pathology or laboratory medicine. This data will also highlight the additional work that must be done to further boost public knowledge of laboratory medicine's contributions to patient care. We hope this project will lay the foundation for further improvements to laboratory visibility and inspire additional outreach efforts to mitigate a future workforce shortage.

Relatively Rare Populations of Invasive Cells Drive Progression of Heterogeneous Tumors.

Introduction: Breast tumors often display an astonishing degree of spatial and temporal heterogeneity, which are associated with cancer progression, drug resistance, and relapse. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive and heterogeneous subtype for which targeted therapies are scarce. Consequently, patients with TNBC have a poorer overall prognosis compared to other breast cancer patients. Within heterogeneous tumors, individual clonal subpopulations may exhibit differences in their rates of growth and degrees of invasiveness. We hypothesized that such phenotypic heterogeneity at the single-cell level may accelerate tumor progression by enhancing the overall growth and invasion of the entire tumor. Methods: To test this hypothesis, we isolated and characterized clonal subpopulations with distinct morphologies and biomarker expression from the inherently heterogeneous 4T1 mouse mammary carcinoma cell line. We then leveraged a 3D microfluidic tumor model to reverse-engineer intratumoral heterogeneity and thus investigate how interactions between phenotypically distinct subpopulations affect tumor growth and invasion. Results: We found that the growth and invasion of multiclonal tumors were largely dictated by the presence of cells with epithelial and mesenchymal traits, respectively. The latter accelerated overall tumor invasion, even when these cells comprised less than 1% of the initial population. Consistently, tumor progression was delayed by selectively targeting the mesenchymal subpopulation. Discussion: This work reveals that highly invasive cells can dominate tumor phenotype and that specifically targeting these cells can slow the progression of heterogeneous tumors, which may help inform therapeutic approaches. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12195-023-00792-w.

Reimagining From Abroad: Speech-Language Pathologists as Interprofessional Partners Supporting Justice-Involved Youth in America.

PURPOSE: With application to the United States, this tutorial explores barriers in the American juvenile justice system for justice-involved youth (JIY) with cognitive-communication disorders (CCDs). It outlines models from abroad and reimagines the American juvenile justice system to include speech-language pathologists (SLPs) as interprofessional practice partners. METHOD: Interprofessional (i.e., criminal justice, speech-language pathology) literature from the United States and overseas is reviewed and summarized to explain the American juvenile justice system, outline areas of concern for youth with CCDs, and describe potential solutions. RESULTS: The application of speech-language pathology services within the juvenile justice system is explained and visually depicted. This framework was informed by intervention models and approaches from international examples. CONCLUSIONS: There is an opportunity to embed speech-language pathology services from intake into court action and through disposition for JIY with cognitive-communication impairments. This includes interprofessional education and development, SLPs providing direct intervention, and multidisciplinary screening efforts. Speech-language pathologists as interprofessional advocates and practice partners can improve life chances and outcomes for youth with CCDs in the juvenile justice system.

Factors influencing life satisfaction in basic education teachers / Fatores que influenciam a satisfação de vida em professores da educação básica / Factores que influyen en la satisfacción de vida en docentes de educación básica

This study explored how the following aspects may influence basic education teachers' life satisfaction: self-esteem, general self-efficacy, self-compassion, positive and negative feelings, moral competence, social support, positive relationships with a colleague, work engagement, age, professional experience (in years), time teaching in the same school, number of schools currently teaching, and approximate number of students per week. One hundred primary and high-school teachers (74 women) participated in the study (mean age 40.9; SD = 10.01). Network analysis provided a model which encompasses the six most relevant aspects that interfere in the life and work of basic education teachers: life satisfaction, self-efficacy, self-esteem, positive affects, work engagement, and giving instrumental social support. In addition, the yielded model showed that self-efficacy presented the closest relationship with life satisfaction. We discuss the results in line with previous studies on self-efficacy. Interventions directed at basic education teachers may be more effective if self-efficacy is part of the program.(AU)

Este estudo explorou como os seguintes aspectos influenciam a satisfação de vida de professores da educação básica: autoestima, autoeficácia, autocompaixão, sentimentos positivos e negativos, competência moral, suporte social, relacionamento positivo com colega, engajamento no trabalho, idade, experiência profissional, tempo de ensino na mesma escola, número de escolas e de estudantes. Cem docentes do ensino básico (74 mulheres) participaram do estudo (média de 40,9 anos de idade; DP = 10.01). A análise de rede proporcionou um modelo com os seis aspectos mais relevantes para a vida e o trabalho de professores: satisfação de vida, autoeficácia, autoestima, afetos positivos, engajamento no trabalho e dar suporte social instrumental. Além disso, o modelo mostrou que a autoeficácia apresentou a relação mais próxima com satisfação de vida. Os resultados são discutidos com base em estudos prévios sobre autoeficácia. Intervenções dedicadas a docentes da educação básica podem se beneficiar da inclusão da autoeficácia como parte da programação.(AU)

Este estudio exploró cómo los siguientes aspectos influyen en la satisfacción de vida de los profesores de educación básica: autoestima, autoeficacia, autocompasión, sentimientos positivos y negativos, competencia moral, apoyo social, relación positiva con compañeros, compromiso laboral, edad, experiencia profesional, tiempo de enseñanza en la misma escuela, número de escuelas y número de estudiantes. Cien profesores de educación básica (74 mujeres) participaron en el estudio (edad media 40,9 años; DS = 10,01). El análisis de red proporcionó un modelo con los seis aspectos más relevantes para la vida y el trabajo: satisfacción con la vida, autoeficacia, autoestima, afecto positivo, compromiso en el trabajo y proporcionar apoyo social instrumental. Además, el modelo mostró que la autoeficacia tiene la relación más cercana con la satisfacción en la vida. Los resultados son discutidos con base en estudios previos sobre la autoeficacia. Las intervenciones dirigidas a profesores de educación básica pueden beneficiarse al incluir la autoeficacia como parte del programa.(AU)

The complete mitochondrial genome of the fine flounder Paralichthys adspersus revealed by next-generation sequencing.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the fine flounder Paralichthys adspersus, was determined for the first time through Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) approach. The mitogenome (GenBank accession no. MW288827) has 17,060 bp in length and consisted of the well-known 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and the control region. The overall nucleotide composition of the whole mitogenome was A: 27.5%, C: 29.5%, G: 17.1%, and T: 25.9%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 12 protein-coding genes clustered P. adspersus in the monophyletic Paralichthyidae clade, showing the closest phylogenetic relationship with its congeneric species P. olivaceus.

Does ADHD worsen inhibitory control in preschool children born very premature and/or with very low birth weight?

INTRODUCTION: Deficits in executive functioning, especially in inhibitory control, are present in children born very premature and/or with very low birth weight (VP/VLBW) and in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether ADHD imposes additional inhibitory control (IC) deficits in preschoolers born VP/VLBW. METHODS: 79 VP/VLBW (4 to 7 years) children were assessed for ADHD using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Aged Children - Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL). IC was measured with Conners' Kiddie Continuous Performance Test (K-CPT 2) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function - Preschool Version (BRIEF-P).Results: No significant differences were found between ADHD (n = 24) and non-ADHD children (n = 55) for any of the measures (p = 0.062 to p = 0.903). Both groups had deficits in most K-CPT 2 scores compared to normative samples, indicating poor IC and inconsistent reaction times. CONCLUSIONS: ADHD does not aggravate IC deficits in VP/VLBW children. Either neuropsychological tasks and parent reports of executive functions (EFs) may not be sensitive enough to differentiate VP/VLBW preschoolers with and without ADHD, or these children's EFs are already so impaired that there is not much room for additional impairments imposed by ADHD.

A escola na promoção de ações voltadas à doação / School promoting actions toward donations

A escola é promotora de desenvolvimento humano em todos os seus aspectos. Nesse sentido, tem envolvido os estudantes em ações que promovam tanto questões éticas relacionadas à justiça como à benevolência. O objetivo desse estudo é descrever as ações voltadas a campanhas de doação protagonizadas por escolas. Foram analisados os conteúdos de 49 postagens na Internet de campanhas de doação realizadas por escolas brasileiras. Entre os principais resultados, observou-se que 70% das escolas são da rede privada de ensino, a doação de sangue como o objetivo mais citado, uma estratégia não competitiva foi utilizada em quase todas as campanhas, com predominância do valor da solidariedade nos conteúdos analisados. Os resultados são interpretados com base em estudos nacionais e internacionais dedicados aos temas da doação, da generosidade e do desenvolvimento moral. São apresentadas recomendações voltadas para a criação e desenvolvimento de campanhas de doação protagonizadas por escolas.

The school context promotes human development in every aspect. Along these lines, it has engaging students in actions that foster ethical topics related to justice and benevolence. The objective of this study is to describe actions towards donation campaigns conducted by schools. We analyzed the contents of 49 Internet posts about donation campaigns made by Brazilian schools. Amongst the main results, we observed that: 70% of the schools are private, blood donation is the most frequent goal cited, a non-competitive strategy was utilized in nearly all campaigns, with predominance of the value of solidarity in the analyzed contents. Results are discussed alongside national and international studies dedicated to donation, generosity, and moral development. Recommendations are made to guide the creation and development of donation campaigns conducted by schools.

Does ADHD worsen inhibitory control in preschool children born very premature and/or with very low birth weight?

Abstract Introduction Deficits in executive functioning, especially in inhibitory control, are present in children born very premature and/or with very low birth weight (VP/VLBW) and in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Objective To evaluate whether ADHD imposes additional inhibitory control (IC) deficits in preschoolers born VP/VLBW. Methods 79 VP/VLBW (4 to 7 years) children were assessed for ADHD using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Aged Children - Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL). IC was measured with Conners' Kiddie Continuous Performance Test (K-CPT 2) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function - Preschool Version (BRIEF-P).Results: No significant differences were found between ADHD (n = 24) and non-ADHD children (n = 55) for any of the measures (p = 0.062 to p = 0.903). Both groups had deficits in most K-CPT 2 scores compared to normative samples, indicating poor IC and inconsistent reaction times. Conclusions ADHD does not aggravate IC deficits in VP/VLBW children. Either neuropsychological tasks and parent reports of executive functions (EFs) may not be sensitive enough to differentiate VP/VLBW preschoolers with and without ADHD, or these children's EFs are already so impaired that there is not much room for additional impairments imposed by ADHD.

Correction to: Aspergillus loretoensis, a single isolate from marine sediment of Loreto Bay, Baja California Sur, México resulting as a new obligate halophile species.

In the original publication the Figs. 3 and 4 are published inappropriately. The correct version of Figs. 3 and 4 is provided in this correction.

Aspergillus loretoensis, a single isolate from marine sediment of Loreto Bay, Baja California Sur, México resulting as a new obligate halophile species.

An obligate halophile fungal was isolated from 275 m deep marine sediments and is characterized here for the first time. Its optimal growth was at 15% NaCl even though it was able to grow at 25% and is incapable of growth with no NaCl. Based on its morphological characteristics as conidia chain production in a single phialide, the fungal is related to the genus Aspergillus, subgenus Polypaecilum. Phylogenetic molecular analysis using several markers (ITS1-2; RPB1; RPB2; Cct8; TSR1; CaM; BenA) places the fungal isolate closer to Aspergillus salinarus and A. baarnensis. However, its morphological and molecular differences establish it as a new species, Aspergillus loretoensis sp. nov.

[A front-of-pack labelling system for food and beverages for Mexico: a strategy of healthy decision-making.] / Sistema de etiquetado frontal de alimentos y bebidas para México: una estrategia para la toma de decisiones saludables.

The Mexican Ministry of Health requested the National Institute of Public Health to constitute a group of independent, free of conflict-of-interest academic experts on front-of-pack labelling (FOP). This group was instructed to created a positioning paper to contribute to the development of a FOP system for industrialized products that offers useful information for purchase decision making. This position paper uses the best available scientific evidence, and recommendations from experts of international organizations. The FOP proposal focuses on the contents of energy, nutrients, ingredients and components that if consumed in excess on the diet, can be harmful to people's health, such as added sugars, sodium, total fat, saturated fat and energy. The academic expert group recommends the implementation of a FOP that provides an easy way to quickly assess the quality of a product. It is essential that this FOP provides direct, simple, visible and easily understandable information.

La Secretaría de Salud solicitó al Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública la conformación de un grupo de expertos académicos en etiquetado de alimentos y bebidas, independientes y libres de conflictos de interés, que tuvieran la encomienda de emitir una postura para contribuir al desarrollo de un sistema de etiquetado frontal para productos industrializados que proporcione información útil para facilitar la decisión de compra. La postura utiliza la mejor evidencia científica disponible y recomendaciones de expertos convocados por organismos internacionales. Así, la propuesta de etiquetado frontal se centra en el contenido de energía, nutrimentos, ingredientes y componentes cuyo exceso en la dieta puede ser perjudicial para la salud, como azúcares añadidos, sodio, grasas totales, grasas saturadas y energía. El grupo recomienda implementar un etiquetado frontal que, de forma sencilla, permita evaluar de manera rápida la calidad de un producto al momento de realizar una compra; por ello, es indispensable que éste proporcione información directa, sencilla, visible y fácil de entender.