Sludge as a potential important source of antibiotic resistance genes in both the bacterial and bacteriophage fractions.

The emergence and prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment is a serious global health concern. ARGs found in bacteria can become mobilized in bacteriophage particles in the environment. Sludge derived from secondary treatment in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) constitutes a concentrated pool of bacteria and phages that are removed during the treatment process. This study evaluates the prevalence of ARGs in the bacterial and phage fractions of anaerobic digested sludge; five ARGs (blaTEM, blaCTX-M, qnrA, qnrS, and sul1) are quantified by qPCR. Comparison between the wastewater and sludge revealed a shift in the prevalence of ARGs (blaTEM and sul1 became more prevalent in sludge), suggesting there is a change in the bacterial and phage populations from wastewater to those selected during the secondary treatment and the later anaerobic mesophilic digestion of the sludge. ARGs densities were higher in the bacterial than in the phage fraction, with high densities in both fractions; particularly for blaTEM and sul1 (5 and 8 log10 gene copies (GC)/g, respectively, in bacterial DNA; 5.5 and 4.4 log10 GC/g, respectively, in phage DNA). These results question the potential agricultural uses of treated sludge, as it could contribute to the spread of ARGs in the environment and have an impact on the bacterial communities of the receiving ecosystem.

Rol actual de la cirugía endoscópica endonasal en el tratamiento de los prolactinomas / Current role of endoscopic endonasal surgery in the management of prolactinomas

Introducción: los prolactinomas son los adenomas hipofisarios funcionantes más frecuentes y la primera opción de tratamiento es la farmacológica en la mayoría de los casos. La cirugía está indicada en pacientes con resistencia o con intolerancia a los Agonistas Dopaminérgicos (AD). Objetivos: evaluar las características clínicas, bioquímicas y por imágenes de un grupo de pacientes con prolactinomas que requirieron Cirugía Endoscópica Endonasal (CEE) y analizar los resultados quirúrgicos. Material y métodos: se analizaron en forma retrospectiva las historias clínicas de 17 pacientes (8 mujeres /9 varones) con diagnóstico de prolactinoma pertenecientes a dos hospitales de la ciudad de Buenos Aires, los cuales fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente en el periodo comprendido entre enero de 2011 y junio de 2021. Se analizaron las indicaciones de la cirugía y los resultados quirúrgicos obtenidos, y se realizó una revisión de la literatura referente al tema. Resultados: Las indicaciones para la cirugía en los 17 pacientes fueron: 8 resistencia a los AD, 2 intolerancia a los AD, 2 apoplejía tumoral, 2 fístula de líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR), 1 adenoma quístico, 1 compromiso visual severo y 1 macroadenoma por sospecha de adenoma no funcionante (ANF). Según el tamaño tumoral, se clasificaron en 16 macroadenomas (Ma), 5 de ellos > 4 cm o gigantes (G), y sólo una paciente con microadenoma (Mi) e intolerancia a los AD. Se logró la resección total en 8 pacientes, subtotal en 5 y parcial en 4. Se obtuvo la remisión bioquímica en 7 casos (41,2%) con cirugía (1 Mi /5 Ma/1 G) y los 10 restantes (6 Ma/4 G) requirieron terapia farmacológica y/o radioterapia (RT) adyuvante, de los cuales 5 se encuentran con enfermedad activa. Publicaciones recientes avalan el resurgimiento del tratamiento quirúrgico para este subtipo de adenomas, sobre todo en microadenomas, debido principalmente al perfeccionamiento de la técnica quirúrgica, que permitió obtener mejores resultados postoperatorios en relación a la remisión bioquímica y menor tasa de complicaciones. Conclusión.La CEE permite una alta tasa de curación en microprolactinomas y macroprolactinomas no invasores debiendo ser considerada como una opción viable y concreta durante la evaluación multidisciplinaria de estos pacientes(AU)

Background: prolactinomas are the most frequent functioning pituitary adenomas and the first treatment option is pharmacological in most of them. Surgery is indicated in patients with resistance or intolerance to Dopaminergic Agonists (DA). Objectives: to evaluate the clinical, biochemical and imaging characteristics of a group of patients with prolactinomas who required Endonasal Endoscopic Surgery (EES) and to analyze the surgical results. Methods: the medical records of 17 patients (8 women / 9 men) diagnosed with prolactinoma belonging to two hospitals in the city of Buenos Aires, who underwent surgery in the period from January 2011 and June 2021. The indications for surgery and the surgical results obtained were analyzed, and a review of the literature on the subject was carried out. Results: The indications for surgery in the 17 patients were: 8 DA resistance, 2 DA intolerance, 2 tumor apoplexy, 2 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula, 1 cystic adenoma, 1 severe visual impairment, and 1 macroadenoma due to suspected non-functional adenoma (NFA). According to tumor size, they were classified into 16 macroadenomas (Ma), 5 of them > 4 cm or giant (G), and only one patient with microadenoma (Mi) and intolerance to AD. Total resection was obtained in 8, subtotal in 5 and partial in 4 patients. Biochemical remission was obtained in 7 cases (41.2%) with surgery (1 Mi/5 Ma/1Gi) and the remaining 10 (6 Ma/4 Gi) required drug therapy and/or adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), 5 of whom are with active disease. Recent publications support the resurgence of surgical treatment for this subtype of adenomas, especially in microadenomas, mainly due to the improvement of surgical techniques, which showed better postoperative results in relation to biochemical remission and a lower rate of complications. Conclusion: EESallows a high cure rate in microprolactinomas and in non-invasive macroprolactinomas, and should be considered as a viable and concrete therapeutic option during the multidisciplinary evaluation of these patients(AU)

Adaptación cultural y validación del Job Contents Questionnaire (JCQ) para trabajadores argentinos

El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en realizar la adaptación cultural y el estudio psicométrico de la versión española del Job Contents Questionnaire en trabajadores de Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires y de Gran Buenos Aires. La muestra se conformó de 331 (70% es de género femenino y 30% es de género masculino, media de edad de 33,15, DS=11,84). Primero se realizó una adaptación cultural mediante la evaluación de jueces expertos y una prueba piloto. La versión adaptada se conformó de 29 ítems. Para evaluar el comportamiento de los ítems se realizó un análisis factorial exploratorio bajo la modalidad de correlaciones policóricas aplicando el método de mínimos cuadrados no ponderados (ULS) con un método de rotación Varimax. El instrumento quedó constituido por 21 ítems que se adecúan al modelo propuesto por Karasek. Los ítems que componen el factor Demandas (5), Control (6) y Apoyo Social (10). Los resultados evidencian criterios de validez aparente, de contenido y de constructo, con excelentes índices de fiabilidad (alfas ordinales mayores a .86). Además, se evidenció validez externa tomando como medida de criterio la escala de Ansiedad Estado del STAI. El instrumento presentó propiedades psicométricas satisfactorias para su aplicación en el contexto local.

This article aims to present the cultural adaptation and the psychometric study of the Spanish version of the Job Contents Questionnaire (JCQ, originally built by Karasek) for workers from the Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires and Gran Buenos Aires. The sample consisted on 331 workers (70% are female and 30% are male, mean age of 33.15, SD=11,84). In the first instance, a cultural adaptation was carried out based on the evaluation of expert judges and a pilot test. The adapted version was made up of 29 items. To evaluate the behavior of the items, an exploratory factor analysis was performed under the polychoric correlation modality, applying the unweighted least squares (ULS) method with a Varimax rotation method. The instrument was made up of 21 items that fit the model proposed by Karasek. In summary, the items that make up the factor Demands (5), Control (6) and Social Support (10). The results show face, content and construct validity criteria, with excellent reliability indices (ordinal alphas greater than .86). In addition, external validity was evidenced by taking the STAI State Anxiety scale as a criterion measure. The instrument presented satisfactory psychometric properties for its application in the local context.

O objetivo deste trabalho é realizar a adaptação cultural e o estudo psicométrico da versão em espanhol do Job Contents Questionnaire em trabalhadores da Cidade Autônoma de Buenos Aires e Grande Buenos Aires. A amostra foi composta por 331 (70% do sexo feminino e 30% do sexo masculino, média de idade de 33,15, DP=11,84). Primeiramente, foi realizada uma adaptação cultural por meio da avaliação de juízes especialistas e um teste piloto. A versão adaptada foi composta por 29 itens. Para avaliar o comportamento dos itens, foi realizada uma análise fatorial exploratória sob a modalidade de correlação policórica, aplicando-se o método dos mínimos quadrados não ponderados (ULS) com um método de rotação Varimax. O instrumento foi composto por 21 itens que se enquadram no modelo proposto por Karasek. Os itens que compõem o fator Demandas (5), Controle (6) e Apoio Social (10). Os resultados mostram critérios de validade de face, conteúdo e construto, com excelentes índices de confiabilidade (alfas ordinais maiores que 0,86). Além disso, a validade externa foi evidenciada tomando-se a escala STAI State Anxiety como medida de critério. O instrumento apresentou propriedades psicométricas satisfatórias para sua aplicação no contexto local.