The Cul4-Ddb1(Cdt)² ubiquitin ligase inhibits invasion of a boundary-associated antisilencing factor into heterochromatin.

Partitioning of chromosomes into euchromatic and heterochromatic domains requires mechanisms that specify boundaries. The S. pombe JmjC family protein Epe1 prevents the ectopic spread of heterochromatin and is itself concentrated at boundaries. Paradoxically, Epe1 is recruited to heterochromatin by HP1 silencing factors that are distributed throughout heterochromatin. We demonstrate here that the selective enrichment of Epe1 at boundaries requires its regulation by the conserved Cul4-Ddb1(Cdt)² ubiquitin ligase, which directly recognizes Epe1 and promotes its polyubiquitylation and degradation. Strikingly, in cells lacking the ligase, Epe1 persists in the body of heterochromatin thereby inducing a defect in gene silencing. Epe1 is the sole target of the Cul4-Ddb1(Cdt)² complex whose destruction is necessary for the preservation of heterochromatin. This mechanism acts parallel with phosphorylation of HP1/Swi6 by CK2 to restrict Epe1. We conclude that the ubiquitin-dependent sculpting of the chromosomal distribution of an antisilencing factor is critical for heterochromatin boundaries to form correctly.

Expression of SmATPDases 1 and 2 in Schistosoma mansoni eggs favours IL-10 production in infected individuals.

A role of IL-10 is down-regulating T-cell responses to schistosome antigens. Since SmATPDases can be correlated to modulation of the immune response, we evaluated the expression of enzymes in S. mansoni eggs. Faecal samples were collected from 40 infected individuals to detect coding regions of the SmATPDases. The cytokines were measured in supernatants of PBMC. The analysis was performed by the global median determination and set up high producers (HP) of cytokines. Six individuals expressed SmATPDase1, six expressed SmATPDase2 and six expressed both enzymes. The group who expressed only SmATPDase1 showed a high frequency of IFN-γ, TNF IL-4 HP; individuals who expressed only SmATPDase2 showed a high frequency of IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-4 HP; and individuals who expressed both enzymes showed a high frequency of IL-10 HP. The comparison of the IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio presented higher indices in the group who had SmATPDase 2 expression than those who had the expression of both enzymes. The positive correlation between infection intensity and IL-10 levels remained only in the positive SmATPDase group. The IL-10 is the only cytokine induced by the expression of both enzymes. Our data suggest that the expression of both enzymes seems to be a factor that modulates the host immune response by inducing high IL-10 production.

Postoperative Delirium Screening Characteristics in Pediatric Intestinal, Liver, and Renal Transplant Recipients: Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe and compare the results of delirium screening in the immediate post-transplant PICU admission for pediatric intestinal, liver, and renal transplant recipients. We also examined associations with known and suspected risk factors for pediatric delirium (PD). DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a single-center cohort, 2016-2022. SETTING: Twenty-four-bed PICU in a high-volume transplant center. PATIENTS: All intestinal, liver, and renal transplant recipients under 23 years old admitted between July 2016 and August 2022. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We identified 211 pediatric transplant recipients: intestinal (n = 36), liver (n = 78), and renal (n = 97). Results of the Cornell Assessment for PD during the immediate post-transplant PICU admission were reviewed and patients were categorized into screen positive, screen negative, and unscreened. Corresponding data on known and suspected risk factors for PD were also collected. Data on delirium subtypes were not collected. Screens were available for 156 of 211 patients (74%) who were included in the final analysis. The prevalence of a positive screen by transplant category was: intestine 80% (24/30), liver 75% (47/63), and renal 14% (9/63). A positive screen was associated with younger age, greater duration of mechanical ventilation, and greater PICU length of stay (LOS) in bivariate analysis. In multivariable analysis, age and PICU LOS remained strongly correlated with a positive screen (p < 0.05). Deep sedation and agitation as categorized by the State Behavioral Scale was associated with a positive screen, as was significant iatrogenic withdrawal symptoms (p < 0.05). Most patients screened positive by post-transplant days 2 and 3 (58/80 [72%] and 64/80 [80%], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In our 2016 to 2022 experience, we found a high prevalence of positive PD screens in pediatric intestinal and liver transplant recipients in the immediate post-transplant PICU admission. A positive screen was associated with younger age and greater PICU LOS.

Changes in Cancer Screening Knowledge Among a Prospective Cohort of Spanish-Speaking Hispanic Community Outreach Event Participants in Florida and Puerto Rico.

The current study examined cancer prevention and early detection awareness (pre-workshop) and changes in knowledge (from pre- to post-workshop) among Hispanic/Latino (H/L) community members who participated in Spanish-language educational outreach events in Puerto Rico (PR) and Florida (FL). Spanish-language educational outreach events were comprised of an educational session lasting approximately 45-60 min and were delivered to groups in rural and urban community settings by a single trained community health educator (CHE). The research team assessed sociodemographic characteristics, personal and familial cancer health history, as well as awareness and knowledge (pre-test) of a range of cancer prevention and screening topics. Following the presentation, participants completed a post-test knowledge survey which also measured likelihood of engaging in cancer screening, cancer preventive behaviors, and cancer research as a result of information presented during the session. Change in the average knowledge score was evaluated using a paired samples t-test. Post-session likelihood of completing cancer screening and preventive behaviors and engaging in cancer research were examined using descriptive statistics and group/site comparisons. The percentage reporting awareness of screening procedures ranged from 33% (PSA test) to 79% (mammogram). H/L in PR reported higher percentage of stool blood test awareness when compared to H/L in FL (χ2(1)= 19.20, p<.001). The average knowledge score increased from 5.97 at pre-test to 7.09 at post-test (Cohen's d=0.69). The increase was significant across all participants (t(315)= 12.4, p<.001), as well as within the FL site (t(124)= 6.66, p<.001, d=0.59) and the PR site (t(190)=10.66, p<.001, d=0.77). Results from this study suggest that educational outreach events delivered to H/L community members by a CHE are valuable strategies to address challenges regarding cancer screening knowledge and engagement in multiple behaviors.

The importance of avoiding time-dependent bias when testing the prognostic value of an intervening event - Two acute cellular rejection examples in intestinal transplantation.

In testing the prognostic value of the occurrence of an intervening event (clinical event that occurs posttransplant), 3 proper statistical methodologies for testing its prognostic value exist (time-dependent covariate, landmark, and semi-Markov modeling methods). However, time-dependent bias has appeared in many clinical reports, whereby the intervening event is statistically treated as a baseline variable (as if it occurred at transplant). Using a single-center cohort of 445 intestinal transplant cases to test the prognostic value of first acute cellular rejection (ACR) and severe (grade of) ACR on the hazard rate of developing graft loss, we demonstrate how the inclusion of such time-dependent bias can lead to severe underestimation of the true hazard ratio (HR). The (statistically more powerful) time-dependent covariate method in Cox's multivariable model yielded significantly unfavorable effects of first ACR (P < .0001; HR = 2.492) and severe ACR (P < .0001; HR = 4.531). In contrast, when using the time-dependent biased approach, multivariable analysis yielded an incorrect conclusion for the prognostic value of first ACR (P = .31, HR = 0.877, 35.2% of 2.492) and a much smaller estimated effect of severe ACR (P = .0008; HR = 1.589; 35.1% of 4.531). In conclusion, this study demonstrates the importance of avoiding time-dependent bias when testing the prognostic value of an intervening event.

Liver Inclusion Appears to Be Protective Against Graft Loss-Due-to Chronic But Not Acute Rejection Following Intestinal Transplantation.

In intestinal transplantation, while other centers have shown that liver-including allografts have significantly more favorable graft survival and graft loss-due-to chronic rejection (CHR) rates, our center has consistently shown that modified multivisceral (MMV) and full multivisceral (MV) allografts have significantly more favorable acute cellular rejection (ACR) and severe ACR rates compared with isolated intestine (I) and liver-intestine (LI) allografts. In the attempt to resolve this apparent discrepancy, we performed stepwise Cox multivariable analyses of the hazard rates of developing graft loss-due-to acute rejection (AR) vs. CHR among 350 consecutive intestinal transplants at our center with long-term follow-up (median: 13.5 years post-transplant). Observed percentages developing graft loss-due-to AR and CHR were 14.3% (50/350) and 6.6% (23/350), respectively. Only one baseline variable was selected into the Cox model indicating a significantly lower hazard rate of developing graft loss-due-to AR: Transplant Type MMV or MV (p < 0.000001). Conversely, two baseline variables were selected into the Cox model indicating a significantly lower hazard rate of developing graft loss-due-to CHR: Received Donor Liver (LI or MV) (p = 0.002) and Received Induction (p = 0.007). In summary, while MMV/MV transplants (who receive extensive native lymphoid tissue removal) offered protection against graft loss-due-to AR, liver-containing grafts appeared to offer protection against graft loss-due-to CHR, supporting the results of other studies.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes in CMV infection in intestinal transplant recipients: A single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is one of the most common posttransplantation infections and has been associated with increased rejection and mortality. Data in intestinal transplants recipients are limited. METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study of all intestinal transplants performed between January 1, 2009, and August 31, 2020. We included recipients of all ages who were at risk of CMV infection. To identify the risk factors, we conducted at first univariate and multivariate analysis. For the multivariate analysis, we developed a logistic regression model based on the result of univariate analysis. RESULTS: Ninety five patients with a median age of 32 (interquartile range [IQR] 4, 50) were included. CMV donor seropositive/recipient seronegative were 17 (17.9%). Overall, 22.1% of the recipients developed CMV infection at a median time of 155 (IQR 28-254) days from transplant, including 4 CMV syndrome and 6 CMV end-organ disease. Overall, 90.4%, (19/21) developed DNAemia while on prophylaxis. Median peak viral load and time to negativity was 16 000 (IQR 1034-43 892) IU/mL and 56 (IQR 49-109) days, respectively. (Val)ganciclovir and foscarnet were utilized in 17 (80.9%) and 1 (4.76%) recipients, respectively. Recurrences of CMV DNAemia and graft rejection were observed in three and six recipients, respectively. Younger age was identified as a risk factor (p = .032, odds ratio 0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.95-0.99) to develop CMV DNAemia. CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of intestinal transplant recipients developed CMV infection while on prophylaxis. Better methods such as CMV cell mediated immunity guided prophylaxis should be used to prevent infections in this population.

Development of a Patient Activation Toolkit for Hepatitis C Virus Testing.

We evaluated the acceptability of a patient activation toolkit for hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing amidst universal adult guidelines. We developed a patient-facing toolkit that included a letter to the patient from their healthcare provider, HCV factsheet, and question prompt list, which contained questions for their provider about HCV infection and testing. We conducted qualitative interviews with patients ages 18-78 (n = 17), using a semi-structured interview guide based on learner verification. We assessed attraction, comprehension, cultural-linguistic acceptability, self-efficacy, and persuasiveness of toolkit materials using direct content analysis. Participants reported materials were attractive, offering suggestions to improve readability. They reported some understanding of materials but requested use of less medical jargon, particularly for the factsheet. Participants discussed cultural acceptability and suggested ways to improve language inclusiveness and comfort with content, given stigma surrounding HCV risk factors. Participants reported that including a letter, factsheet, and QPL improved the persuasiveness of materials, and they conveyed their motivation to be tested for HCV. Results indicate preliminary acceptability for use of the patient activation toolkit, which will be refined based on participants' recommendations. Overall, this patient activation toolkit holds promise for increasing HCV testing rates.

Developing the Florida Academic Cancer Center Alliance Health Disparities Common Measure: The Florida Health and Ancestry Survey.

PURPOSE: Our specific aim was to develop and assess the consensus-based validity of common measures for understanding health behaviors and ancestry in Florida's population subgroups and establish the feasibility of wide-scale implementation of the measures and biospecimen collection within three cancer centers' catchment areas. METHODS: Using the National Cancer Institute's Grid-Enabled Measures web-based platform and an iterative process, we developed the Florida Health and Ancestry Survey (FHAS). We then used three sampling approaches to implement the FHAS: community-engaged, panel respondent, and random digit dialing (RDD). We asked a subset of participants to provide a saliva sample for future validation of subjective ancestry report with DNA-derived ancestry markers. RESULTS: This process supported the FHAS content validity. As an indicator of feasibility, the goals for completed surveys by sampling approach were met for two of the three cancer centers, yielding a total of 1438 completed surveys. The RDD approach produced the most representative sample. The panel sampling approach produced inadequate representation of older individuals and males. The community-engaged approach along with social media recruitment produced extreme underrepresentation only for males. Two of the cancer centers mailed biospecimen kits, whereas one did not due to resource constraints. On average, the community engaged approach was more productive in obtaining returned biospecimen samples (80%) than the panel approach (48%). CONCLUSIONS: We successfully developed and implemented the FHAS as a common measure to show its feasibility for understanding cancer health disparities in Florida. We identified sampling approach successes and challenges to obtaining biospecimens for ancestry research.

Genetic variants, gene expression, and soluble CD36 analysis in acute coronary syndrome: Differential protein concentration between ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and unstable angina.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis plays an important role in the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). CD36 is a scavenger receptor involved in lipid metabolism. Some single-nucleotide variants in the non-coding region could indirectly alter the expression and the function of the protein. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the gene and protein expression associated with CD36 variants (rs1194182;C > G; rs1049654;C > A, rs1334512;G > T, and rs3211892;G > A) in ACS patients from the western Mexican population. METHODS: We recruited 310 ACS patients and 308 subjects in the control group (CG). Genotyping was determined by TaqMan SNP genotyping assays. CD36 expression at the mRNA level was quantified by TaqMan gene expression assays. Soluble CD36 (sCD36) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: We show that rs1194182G > C variant provides a protective effect with a 1.7-fold lower susceptibility to develop ACS (p  = 0.03); however, this association was masked by diabetes and dyslipidemia. We observed a higher sCD36 concentration in patient with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) compared with patients with unstable angina (UA) (p  = 0.038). Likewise, in diabetic patients versus non-diabetic (p < 0.001). We observed in patients an increase in CD36 mRNA expression (1.91 times higher) than in the CG (p  = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The rs1194182 seems to be associated with diabetes in a risky manner, in ACS patients and protective for dyslipidemia in both groups. The concentration of sCD36 seems to be associated with the clinical spectrum of the ACS patients and the presence of diabetes, since patients with STEMI present significantly elevated level compared with UA.

Insect chitosan as a natural antimicrobial against vegetative cells of Bacillus cereus in a cooked rice matrix.

This study investigates the antimicrobial activity of insect chitosan against vegetative cells of Bacillus cereus in a rice matrix. Sample culture solutions were prepared with different concentrations of insect chitosan (150, 180, 220 and 250 µg/mL) and tested at three temperatures (30 °C, 20 °C and 10 °C), which simulate different storage temperature scenarios of precooked rice. The results indicate that insect chitosan has antimicrobial activity that depends on temperature and chitosan concentration. For the assays with chitosan at 10 °C, all concentrations were bactericidal during the study time, reaching a maximum inactivation of 6 log cycles for 250 µg/mL. At 20 °C and at 30 °C a bacteriostatic activity was observed for concentrations of 150 µg/mL and 180 µg/mL. Results also showed that concentrations of 220 µg/mL and 250 µg/mL were bactericidal for all the temperatures tested during the storage time. When rice is cooked and not stored at an appropriate temperature, below 10 °C, the consumer's health is at risk. In these cases, insect chitosan could be a good additional control measure to control B. cereus growth and toxin formation in cooked rice.

Investigation of the predictive influence of personal and gubernatorial politics on COVID-19 related behaviors and beliefs.

Given the varied emotional and behavioral responses to the COVID-19 pandemic across the United States, further attention to the personal and societal influences on such responses is necessary. We investigated the predictive influence of personal political affiliation and the congruity of personal and governor political affiliation on COVID-19 emotional and behavioral responses, with specific attention to the influence of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) on emotional response. These factors were assessed in two studies of adults in the United States (N = 480, N = 272). We utilized a series of hierarchical linear and logistic regressions to assess predictors of 4 outcomes: (1) trust in governor's response to the pandemic, (2) COVID-19 related worry, and the (3) usage and (4) perceived efficacy of protective health behaviors (e.g., wearing a mask). Across these studies, we found that IU predicted increased COVID-19 related worry. Further, age and personal political affiliation, but not concordance with governor affiliation, predicted COVID-19 behavioral responses. These findings are discussed in relation to the potential importance of linking health messaging to personal characteristics.

An improved MS2 system for accurate reporting of the mRNA life cycle.

The MS2-MCP system enables researchers to image multiple steps of the mRNA life cycle with high temporal and spatial resolution. However, for short-lived mRNAs, the tight binding of the MS2 coat protein (MCP) to the MS2 binding sites (MBS) protects the RNA from being efficiently degraded, and this confounds the study of mRNA regulation. Here, we describe a reporter system (MBSV6) with reduced affinity for the MCP, which allows mRNA degradation while preserving single-molecule detection determined by single-molecule FISH (smFISH) or live imaging. Constitutive mRNAs (MDN1 and DOA1) and highly-regulated mRNAs (GAL1 and ASH1) endogenously tagged with MBSV6 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae degrade normally. As a result, short-lived mRNAs were imaged throughout their complete life cycle. The MBSV6 reporter revealed that, in contrast to previous findings, coordinated recruitment of mRNAs at specialized structures such as P-bodies during stress did not occur, and mRNA degradation was heterogeneously distributed in the cytoplasm.

Distribution of Estimated Lifetime Breast Cancer Risk Among Women Undergoing Screening Mammography.

OBJECTIVE. Supplemental screening breast MRI is recommended for women with an estimated lifetime risk of breast cancer of greater than 20-25%. The performance of risk prediction models varies for each individual and across groups of women. The present study investigates the concordance of three breast cancer risk prediction models among women presenting for screening mammography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. In this prospective study, we calculated the estimated lifetime risk of breast cancer using the modified Gail, Tyrer-Cuzick version 7, and BRCAPRO models for each woman who presented for screening mammography. Per American Cancer Society guidelines, for each woman the risk was categorized as less than 20% or 20% or greater as well as less than 25% or 25% or greater with use of each model. Venn diagrams were constructed to evaluate concordance across models. The McNemar test was used to test differences in risk group allocations between models, with p ≤ .05 considered to denote statistical significance. RESULTS. Of 3503 screening mammography patients who underwent risk stratification, 3219 (91.9%) were eligible for risk estimation using all three models. Using at least one model, 440 (13.7%) women had a lifetime risk of 20% or greater, including 390 women (12.1%) according to the Tyrer-Cuzick version 7 model, 18 (0.6%) according to the BRCAPRO model, and 141 (4.4%) according to the modified Gail model. Six women (0.2%) had a risk of 20% or greater according to all three models. Women were significantly more likely to be classified as having a high lifetime breast cancer risk by the Tyrer-Cuzick version 7 model compared with the modified Gail model, with thresholds of 20% or greater (odds ratio, 6.4; 95% CI, 4.7-8.7) or 25% or greater (odds ratio, 7.4; 95% CI, 4.7-11.9) used for both models. CONCLUSION. To identify women with a high lifetime breast cancer risk, practices should use estimates of lifetime breast cancer risk derived from multiple risk prediction models.

Describing universal Strongyloides serologic screening among pediatric intestinal and liver transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Strongyloides spp hyperinfections are a worldwide phenomenon that proves fatal for solid organ transplant recipients. Screening protocols to guide prophylaxis management vary institution to institution from universal to epidemiology driven. Our institution initiated a universal screening protocol regardless of travel history and exposure to ensure no cases were missed. METHODS: In this study, we describe the outcomes of three Strongyloides sero-positive children whom underwent intestinal or liver transplantation and the experience of universal screening at a tertiary care county hospital in South Florida. RESULTS: Among the 66 intestine and liver pediatric transplant recipients who were screened for Strongyloides antibodies, only three were identified to be sero-positive via the screening mechanism. Two of three had significant epidemiology risk factors. None of the patients reviewed were found to have developed hyperinfection. However, reflecting on the experience represented by our series of pediatric patients, the risk of any complication related to Strongyloides status appears low. Even among this South Florida population whom come from or travel to endemic regions are in contact with sero-positive individuals, very few illustrate sero-positivity. CONCLUSION: While institutions continue to analyze the cost-benefit of universal testing vs. universal prophylaxis vs. targeted screening, the decision must encompass the patient population, rolling cumulative incidence, and morbidity and mortality related to this disease.

A pilot randomized trial of an educational intervention to increase genetic counseling and genetic testing among Latina breast cancer survivors.

Latinas are less likely to participate in genetic counseling (GC) and genetic testing (GT) than non-Hispanic Whites. A multisite, randomized pilot study tested a culturally targeted educational intervention to increase uptake of GC/GT among Latina breast cancer (BC) survivors (N = 52). Participants were recruited in Tampa, FL and Ponce, PR and randomized to: (a) fact sheet about BC survivorship (control) or (b) a culturally targeted educational booklet about GC/GT (intervention). Participants in the intervention condition were also offered no-cost telephone GC followed by free GT with mail-based saliva sample collection. Participants self-reported hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) knowledge and emotional distress at baseline and 1- and 3-month follow-ups. We used logistic regression to examine differences in GC/GT uptake by study arm (primary outcome) and repeated measures ANOVA to examine the effects of study arm and time on HBOC knowledge and emotional distress (secondary outcomes). Compared to the control arm, intervention participants were more likely to complete GC (ORIntervention  = 13.92, 95% CI = 3.06-63.25, p < .01) and GT (ORIntervention  = 12.93, 95% CI = 2.82-59.20, p < .01). Study site did not predict uptake of GC (p = .08) but Ponce participants were more likely to complete GT (ORPonce  = 4.53, 95% CI = 1.04-19.72, p = .04). ANOVAs demonstrated an increase in HBOC knowledge over time across both groups (F(2,88) = 12.24, p < .01, ηp2  = 0.22). We also found a significant interaction of study arm and time, such that intervention participants demonstrated a greater and sustained (to the 3-month follow-up) increase in knowledge than control participants (F(2,88) = 3.66, p = .03, ηp2  = 0.08). No other main or interaction effects were significant (all p's> .15). Study findings demonstrate the potential of our culturally targeted print intervention. Lessons learned from this multisite pilot study for enhancing GC/GT in Latinas include the need to attend to both access to GC/GT and individual factors such as attitudes and knowledge.

Payments for environmental services supported social capital while increasing land management.

Payments for environmental services (PES) programs incentivize landowners to protect or improve natural resources. Many conservationists fear that introducing compensation for actions previously offered voluntarily will reduce social capital (the institutions, relationships, attitudes, and values that govern human interactions), yet little rigorous research has investigated this concern. We examined the land cover management and communal social capital impacts of Mexico's federal conservation payments program, which is a key example for other countries committed to reducing deforestation, protecting watersheds, and conserving biodiversity. We used a regression discontinuity (RD) methodology to identify causal program effects, comparing outcomes for PES participants and similar rejected applicants close to scoring cutoffs. We found that payments increased land cover management activities, such as patrolling for illegal activity, building fire breaks, controlling pests, or promoting soil conservation, by ∼50%. Importantly, increases in paid activities as a result of PES did not crowd out unpaid contributions to land management or other prosocial work. Community social capital increased by ∼8-9%, and household-level measures of trust were not affected by the program. These findings demonstrate that major environmental conditional cash transfer programs can support both land management and the attitudes and institutions underpinning prosocial behavior. Rigorous empirical research on this question can proceed only country by country because of methodological limitations, but will be an important line of inquiry as PES continues to expand worldwide.

Intestinal transplantation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Intestinal transplantation has evolved to be a viable treatment option for patients with intestinal failure. This review shows the most current tendencies and practices of intestinal transplant centers and an overall comparison to intestinal rehabilitation. RECENT FINDINGS: This review outlines that timing for referral and advances in preoperative and postoperative care of intestinal and multivisceral transplant candidates are crucial to achieve results comparable to intestinal rehabilitation. SUMMARY: Current practices have shown that intestinal transplantation continues to improve overall results and could be considered in patients with permanent home parenteral nutrition. Timing for referral and preoperative and postoperative management are crucial to optimize long-term results.

Impact of Genetic Testing on Risk-Management Behavior of Black Breast Cancer Survivors: A Longitudinal, Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Black women are overrepresented among premenopausal breast cancer (BC) survivors. These patients warrant genetic testing (GT) followed by risk-reducing behaviors. This study documented patterns and predictors of cancer risk-management behaviors among young black BC survivors after GT. METHODS: Black women (n = 143) with a diagnosis of BC at the age of 50 years or younger received GT. At 1 year after GT, participants reported receipt of risk-reducing mastectomy, risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy, mammogram, breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CA125 test, and transvaginal/pelvic ultrasound. Logistic regression was used to examine predictors of BC risk management (risk-reducing mastectomy or breast MRI) and ovarian cancer risk management (risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy, CA125 test, or transvaginal/pelvic ultrasound). RESULTS: Of the study participants, 16 (11%) were BRCA1/2-positive, 43 (30%) had a variant of uncertain significance, and 84 (59%) were negative. During the 12 months after GT, no women received risk-reducing mastectomy. The majority (93%) received a mammogram, and a smaller proportion received breast MRI (33%), risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (10%), CA125 test (11%), or transvaginal/pelvic ultrasound (34%). Longer time since the BC diagnosis predicted lower likelihood of BC risk management (odds ratio [OR] 0.54). BRCA1/2 carrier status (OR 4.57), greater perceived risk of recurrence (OR 8.03), and more hereditary breast and ovarian cancer knowledge (OR 1.37) predicted greater likelihood of ovarian cancer risk management. CONCLUSIONS: Young black BC survivors appropriately received mammograms and ovarian cancer risk management based on their BRCA1/2 test result. However, the low usage of MRI among BRCA1/2 carriers contrasts with national guidelines. Future research should examine barriers to MRI among black BC survivors. Finally, modifiable variables predicting risk management after GT were identified, providing implications for future interventions.

Diversity of the 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' and 'Candidatus Phytoplasma fraxini' isolates that infect urban trees in Bogotá, Colombia.

Phytoplasmas have been associated with a disease that affects trees of at least 11 species from different botanic families in Bogotá, Colombia. 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' and 'Candidatus Phytoplasma fraxini' are the major groups of phytoplasma in the area of Bogotá. In this study, the genetic diversity within 'Ca. P. asteris' and 'Ca. P. fraxini' was studied in five urban tree species: Croton species (Euphorbiaceae), Fraxinus uhdei (Oleaceae), Magnolia grandiflora (Magnoliaceae), Populus nigra (Salicaceae) and Quercus humboldtii (Fagaceae). Analyses of the 16S rRNA gene using nested PCR, RFLP and sequencing showed that phytoplasmas of 'Ca. P. asteris' could be assigned to: subgroup 16SrI-B; a new subgroup named 16SrI-AF, with a restriction pattern similar to that of 16SrI-B; and a new subgroup named 16SrI-AG, with a restriction pattern similar to that of 16SrI-K and 16SrI-AH with a restriction pattern similar to that of 16SrI-AC. 'Ca. P. fraxini' isolates belonged to a new subgroup named 16SrVII-G, with a restriction pattern similar to that of 16SrVII-A. To complement the identification of the phytoplasma strains, we amplified nonribosomal genes such as leuS and secA. Unexpectedly, it was observed that in 16 trees in which 16S rRNA gene analysis showed the presence of 'Ca. P. fraxini' only, the leuS or secA primers amplified sequences exclusively affiliated to 'Ca. P. asteris. In those plants, sequences belonging to 'Ca. P. fraxini' leuS or secA genes were not amplified. The present work contributes to the identification of novel strains of both species in Colombia, and supports previous suggestions that phytoplasmas in South America are highly variable.