Experimental evolution of Pseudomonas putida under silver ion versus nanoparticle stress.

Whether the antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are simply due to the release of silver ions (Ag+ ) or, additionally, nanoparticle-specific effects, is not clear. We used experimental evolution of the model environmental bacterium Pseudomonas putida to ask whether bacteria respond differently to Ag+ or AgNP treatment. We pre-evolved five cultures of strain KT2440 for 70 days without Ag to reduce confounding adaptations before dividing the fittest pre-evolved culture into five cultures each, evolving in the presence of low concentrations of Ag+ , well-defined AgNPs or Ag-free controls for a further 75 days. The mutations in the Ag+ or AgNP evolved populations displayed different patterns that were statistically significant. The non-synonymous mutations in AgNP-treated populations were mostly associated with cell surface proteins, including cytoskeletal membrane protein (FtsZ), membrane sensor and regulator (EnvZ and GacS) and periplasmic protein (PP_2758). In contrast, Ag+ treatment was selected for mutations linked to cytoplasmic proteins, including metal ion transporter (TauB) and those with metal-binding domains (ThiL and PP_2397). These results suggest the existence of AgNP-specific effects, either caused by sustained delivery of Ag+ from AgNP dissolution, more proximate delivery from cell-surface bound AgNPs, or by direct AgNP action on the cell's outer membrane.

Interleukin-15 are associated with insulin resistance in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if higher levels of circulating interleukin (IL)-15 are positively associated with improvement in insulin resistance in postmenopausal women (PW) with metabolic syndrome (MS). METHODS: According to the median value of IL-15 at baseline, PW older than or equal to 45 years were divided into two groups: higher (n = 43) and lower (n = 42) IL-15. There was a 9-month follow-up period with clinical assessments at baseline and at 9 months (criteria of metabolic syndrome, body fat, and insulin resistance). Insulin resistance (IR) was calculated according to the Homeostasis Model Assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). For IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-33, IL-15, and TNF-α was determined using immunoassay Magnetic Bead Panel. RESULTS: There was an interaction between the time and group only for insulin (p = .008) and HOMA-IR (p = .024). After adjusting for confounding variables (clinical and ILs), the HOMA-IR (p = .006) and insulin (p = .003) were lower in the higher-IL-15 group [HOMA-IR: 2.2 (95% CI: 1.9-2.5) and insulin: 9.1 µIU/mL (95% CI: 7.9-10.3)] when compared to the lower-IL-15 group [HOMA-IR: 3.1 (95% CI: 2.6-3.6) and insulin: 12.9 (95% CI: 11.1-14.9)] after 9 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Higher levels of circulating IL-15 are positively associated with improvements in IR in PW with MS.

Higher levels of circulating interleukin (IL)-15 are positively associated with improvement in insulin resistance (IR) in postmenopausal women (PW) with metabolic syndrome (MS).This relationship is independent of levels of other cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-33, and TNF-α).The levels of circulating IL-15 may be used as a prognostic biomarker for IR in PW with MS.The study opens the door for future studies on IL-15's role in treating IR among PW with MS.

Parent Attendance in a Family-Based Preventive Intervention Delivered in Latin America and the United States.

In Latin America, there is an increasing interest in the implementation and dissemination of evidence-based, family-centered interventions to prevent youth behavioral problems. While families' participation in interventions is integral to achieving the interventions' desired impact, little is known about what predicts Latin American families' attendance. The current study provides a unique opportunity to explore the participation of families living in the United States, Ecuador, and Chile in an evidence-based intervention, Familias Unidas. We tested for differences in attendance rates, family functioning variables, and adolescent behavioral problem variables, then applied a hierarchical multiple regression to (a) identify which variables significantly predicted program attendance and (b) assess whether the country in which the intervention was implemented in moderated the relationship between predictors and program attendance. On average, Chilean and Ecuadorian parents were more engaged and attended more sessions than parents living in the United States. Across samples, there was significant differences in family functioning and adolescent behavioral problem variables. However, effective parent-adolescent communication was the only significant predictor of lower program attendance. A significant interaction effect revealed that even though Chilean parents had high parent-adolescent communication, they were more likely to attend sessions, compared to parents living in the United States. We highlight the promise of engaging and retaining families, across U.S. and Latin American samples, into a culturally syntonic, family-based intervention, and discuss potential explanations for success in Chile and Ecuador. Researchers interested in implementing interventions in Latin America could utilize these findings to better target participants and intervention efforts.

Bioaccumulation and toxic effects of nanoparticulate and ionic silver in Saccostrea glomerata (rock oyster).

The increasing production of Ag nanoparticle (AgNP) containing products has inevitably led to a growing concern about their release into the aquatic environment, along with their potential behaviour, toxicity, and bioaccumulation in marine organisms exposed to NPs released from these products. Hence, this study is focused on the effects of AgNPs in Saccostrea glomerata (rock oyster) in artificial seawater (ASW); evaluating the NP's stability, dissolution, and bioaccumulation rate. AgNPs NM300K (20 ±â€¯5 nm) in concentrations of 12.5 µgL-1 and 125 µgL-1 were used to conduct the experiments, and were compared to a blank and a positive control of 12.5 µgL-1 AgNO3. Dissolution in ASW was measured by ICP-OES and stability was assessed by TEM after 1 h and 3, 5, and 7 days of exposure. Bioaccumulation in gills and digestive glands was measured after 7 days of exposure. The higher concentration of AgNPs induced more aggregation, underwent less dissolution, and showed less bioaccumulation, while the lower concentration showed less aggregation, more dissolution and higher bioaccumulation. Five biomarkers (EROD: ethoxyresorufin-o-deethylase, DNA strand breaks, LPO: lipid peroxidation, GST: glutathione S-transferase and GR: glutathione reductase) were analysed at 0, 3, 5 and 7 days. Significant differences compared to the initial day of exposure (day 0) were reported in DNA strand breaks after 5 and 7 days of exposure, GST, from the third day of exposure, in all the Ag samples, and in some samples for LPO and GR biomarkers, while no significant induction of EROD was observed. A combined effect for each type of treatment and time of exposure was also reported for DNA strand breaks and GST biomarkers measured at the digestive glands. In general, the significant inductions measured showed the following trend: 125 µgL-1 AgNPs >12.5 µgL-1 AgNPs ∼12.5 µgL-1 AgNO3 even though bioaccumulation followed the opposite trend.

Demonstrating scale-up of a novel water treatment process using super-bridging agents.

Fiber-based materials have emerged as a promising option to increase the efficiency of water treatment plants while reducing their environmental impacts, notably by reducing the use of unsustainable chemicals and the size of the settling tank. Cellulose fiber-based super-bridging agents are sustainable, reusable, and versatile materials that considerably improve floc separation in conventional settling tanks or via alternative screening separation methods. In this study, the effectiveness of fiber-based materials for wastewater treatment was evaluated at lab-scale (0.25 L) and at pilot-scale (20 L) for two separation methods, namely settling and screening. For the fiber-based method, the performance of floc separation during settling was slightly affected by an 80x upscaling factor. A small decrease in turbidity removal from 93 and 86 % was observed for the jar and pilot tests, respectively. By contrast, the turbidity removal of the conventional treatment, i.e., no fibers with a settling separation, was largely affected by the upscaling with turbidity removals of 84 and 49 % for jar and pilot tests, respectively. Therefore, results are suggesting that fiber-based super-bridging agents could be implemented in full-scale water treatment plants. Moreover, the tested fibers increase the robustness of treatment by providing better floc removal than conventional treatment under several challenging conditions such as low settling time and screening with coarse screen mesh size. Furthermore, at both lab-scale and pilot-scale, the use of fiber-based materials reduced the demand for coagulant and flocculant, potentially lowering the operational costs of water treatment plants and reducing the accumulation of metal-based coagulants and synthetic polymers in sludge. Acute toxicity tests using the model organism Daphnia magna show that the cellulose fibers introduce insignificant toxicity at the optimized fiber concentration. Although dedicated mechanistic studies are required at various scales to understand in detail the influence of fibers on water treatment (coagulation/flocculation time, floc formation, floc size distribution velocity gradient, etc.), the efficacy and scalability of the fiber-based approach, along with its minimal environmental impact, position it as a viable and sustainable option for existing and future wastewater treatment plants.

Quantitative separation of polystyrene nanoparticles in environmental matrices with picogram detection limits using capillary electrophoresis.

We developed a capillary electrophoresis method to separate polystyrene particles (PSPs) with different sizes or different surface functionalities. Separations were performed in buffer and 100 mg L-1 clay or 100 mg L-1 Suwanee River humic acid. In all solutions, PSPs were baseline or near-baseline resolved in less than 15 minutes.

Correction: Quevedo et al. Mechanisms of Silver Nanoparticle Uptake by Embryonic Zebrafish Cells. Nanomaterials 2021, 11, 2699.

Error in Figure/Table [...].

Penile metastasis of rectal carcinoma. Case report and bibliographic review.

OBJECTIVE: Contribution of a case of penile metastasis in a patient with metastatic rectal carcinoma. METHODS: A 70-Year-old patient was referred to our consultation after the discovery of "penis indurations" having been diagnosed of rectal carcinoma 18 months before. After physical examination penile biopsies were carried out. RESULTS: The pathological results of the Glans biopsy was "rectal adenocarcinoma metastasis". CONCLUSIONS: Metastases in the penis are rare, and usually occur in the context of advanced oncological disease.

Silver nanoparticle induced toxicity and cell death mechanisms in embryonic zebrafish cells.

Cell death is the process that regulates homeostasis and biochemical changes in healthy cells. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) act as powerful cell death inducers through the disruption of cellular signalling functions. In this study, embryonic zebrafish cells (ZF4) were used as a potential early-stage aquatic model to evaluate the molecular and cell death mechanisms implicated in the toxicity of AgNPs and Ag+. Here, a low, medium, and high concentration (2.5, 5, and 10 µg mL-1) of three different sizes of AgNPs (10, 30 and 100 nm) and ionic Ag+ (1, 1.5 and 2 µg mL-1) were used to investigate whether the size of the nanomaterial, ionic form, and mass concentration were related to the activation of particular cell death mechanisms and/or induction of different signalling pathways. Changes in the physicochemical properties of the AgNPs were also assessed in the presence of complex medium (cell culture) and reference testing medium (ultra-pure water). Results demonstrated that AgNPs underwent dissolution, as well as changes in hydrodynamic size, zeta potential and polydispersity index in both tested media depending on particle size and concentration. Similarly, exposure dose played a key role in regulating the different cell death modalities (apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy), and the signalling pathways (repair mechanisms) in cells that were activated in the attempt to overcome the induced damage. This study contributes to the 3Rs initiative to replace, reduce and refine animal experimentation through the use of alternative models for nanomaterials assessment.

Mechanisms of Silver Nanoparticle Uptake by Embryonic Zebrafish Cells.

Evaluation of the uptake pathways in cells during exposure to nanoparticles (NPs) is key for risk assessment and the development of safer nanomaterials, as the internalisation and fate of NPs is linked to their toxicity and mode of action. Here, we determined the uptake mechanisms activated during the internalisation of 10, 30, and 100 nm AgNPs by embryonic zebrafish cells (ZF4). The uptake results demonstrated an NP size- and time-dependent uptake, showing the highest total silver uptake for the smallest AgNP (10 nm) at the lowest exposure concentration (2.5 µg/mL) after 2 h, while after 24 h, the highest exposure concentration (10 µg/mL) of the 10 nm AgNPs revealed the highest cellular load at 8 pg/cell. Inhibition of the caveolae, clathrin, and macropinocytosis endocytic pathways by pharmaceutical inhibitors (genistein, chlorpromazine, and wortmannin respectively) revealed that uptake was mainly via macropinocytosis for the 10 nm AgNPs and via the caveolae-mediated pathway for the 30 and 100 nm AgNPs. The induction of autophagy was also strongly related to the NP size, showing the highest percentage of induction for the 10 nm (around 3%) compared to naive cells, suggesting that autophagy can be activated along with endocytosis to deal with exposure to NPs. TEM imaging revealed the distribution of NPs across the cytoplasm inside intracellular vesicles. An increase in Early Endosome formation (EE) was observed for the 30 and 100 nm sizes, whereas the 10 nm AgNPs disrupted the activity of EE. The data supports the establishment of adverse outcome pathways by increasing knowledge on the link between a molecular initiating event such as receptor-mediated endocytosis and an adverse outcome, as well as supporting the reduction of animal testing by using alternative testing models, such as fish cell lines.

UV-Vis Spectroscopic Characterization of Nanomaterials in Aqueous Media.

The physicochemical characterization of nanomaterials (NMs) is often an analytical challenge, due to their small size (at least one dimension in the nanoscale, i.e. 1-100 nm), dynamic nature, and diverse properties. At the same time, reliable and repeatable characterization is paramount to ensure safety and quality in the manufacturing of NM-bearing products. There are several methods available to monitor and achieve reliable measurement of nanoscale-related properties, one example of which is Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis). This is a well-established, simple, and inexpensive technique that provides non-invasive and fast real-time screening evaluation of NM size, concentration, and aggregation state. Such features make UV-Vis an ideal methodology to assess the proficiency testing schemes (PTS) of a validated standard operating procedure (SOP) intended to evaluate the performance and reproducibility of a characterization method. In this paper, the PTS of six partner laboratories from the H2020 project ACEnano were assessed through an interlaboratory comparison (ILC). Standard gold (Au) colloid suspensions of different sizes (ranging 5-100 nm) were characterized by UV-Vis at the different institutions to develop an implementable and robust protocol for NM size characterization.

A non-randomized prospective study on the diagnostic performance of perineal prostatic biopsy, directed via diffusion nuclear resonance, in patients with suspected prostate cancer and previous negative transrectal prostate biopsy.

BACKGROUND: A definition of the best strategy is necessary to optimize the follow-up of patients with previous negative transrectal guided ultrasound biopsy (TRUS-GB) and the persistence of raised prostate-specific antigen (PSA).The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prostate cancer (PCa) diagnostic rate of targeted transperineal ultrasound guided biopsy (TPUS-GB) with cognitive multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) registration with concurrent systematic biopsy in patients with previous negative systematic TRUS-GB and persistently elevated PSA levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study conducted at the University Infanta Sofia Hospital from April 2016 to November 2017, patients with one previous negative systematic TRUS-GB and persistently high PSA levels were referred for mpMRI prostate scans. All patients underwent systematic TPUS-GB and those patients with suspicious findings on mpMRI scans, Pirads 3 and 4-5, underwent a subsequent cognitive guidance mpMRI-TPUS-GB. RESULTS: In total, 71 patients were included in this study. Suspicious findings on mpMRI scans prior to TPUS-GB were found in 50 patients (70.4%). 16 patients were diagnosed with prostate cancer (22.5%), of whom 14 (87.5%) had a mpMRI scan with Pirads 3 or Pirads 4-5. Patients with Pirads 3, 4 or 5 showed negative results in almost all cores taken by concurrent systematic TPUS-GB. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive mpMRI-TPUS fusion biopsy is a useful tool to diagnose PCa in patients with previous negative prostate biopsy. The samples obtained from the suspicious areas in the mpMRI detect more cases of intermediate and high risk PCa compared to the samples obtained at random or from non-suspicious areas.

Polymer gel dosimetry by nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) magnetic resonance imaging.

The response to radiation of polymer gel dosimeters has previously been measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in terms of changes in the water transverse relaxation rate (R 2w) or magnetization transfer (MT) parameters. Here we report a new MRI approach, based on detecting nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) mediated saturation transfer effects, which can also be used to detect radiation and measure dose distributions in MAGIC-f (Methacrylic and Ascorbic Acid and Gelatin Initiated by Copper Solution with formaldehyde) polymer gels. Results show that the NOE effects produced by low powered radiofrequency (RF) irradiation at specific frequencies offset from water may be quantified by appropriate measurements and over a useful range depend linearly on the radiation dose. The NOE effect likely arises from the polymerization of methacrylic acid monomers which become less mobile, facilitating dipolar through-space cross-relaxation and/or relayed magnetization exchange between polymer and water protons. Our study suggests a potential new MRI method for polymer gel dosimetry.

Informed consent comprehension among vulnerable populations in Ecuador: video-delivered vs. in-person standard method.

The informed consent comprehension process is key to engaging potential research subject participation. The aim of this study is to compare informed consent comprehension between two methods: standard and video-delivered. We compared the in-person and video-delivered informed consent process in the Familias Unidas intervention. We evaluated comprehension using a 7-item true/false questionnaire. There were a total of 152 participants in the control group and 87 in the experimental. General characteristics were similar between both groups (p > 0.05). First-attempt informed consent comprehension was higher in the intervention group but was not statistically significant (80% and 78% respectively p = 0.44). A video-delivered informed consent process did not differ from the standard method of informed consent in a low educational and socioeconomic environment.

Prospective nonrandomized study of diagnostic accuracy comparing prostate cancer detection by transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy to magnetic resonance imaging with subsequent MRI-guided biopsy in biopsy-naïve patients.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy in cancer prostate (PCa) of Multiparametric prostate magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) targeted biopsy compared to standard systematic transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy (TRUSGB) in biopsy-naïve patients. METHODS: A total of 168 biopsy-naïve men with clinical suspicion of PCa due to elevated PSA levels and/or an abnormal digital rectal examination were consecutively enrolled from July 2011 to July 2014. All patients underwent TRUSGB. Patients with equivocal (Pi-rads 3) or suspicious lesion (Pi-rads 4-5), were additionally biopsied using two cores, by the same operator (cognitive technique). RESULTS: Among the 168 cases, mp-MRI was equivocal for PCa (Pi-rads 3) in 46 subjects (27.4%) and suspicious (Pi-rads 4, 5) in 40 cases (23.8%). Of the 69 patients with PCa, standard TRUSGB showed Gleason ≥7 in 75% of patients with Pirads 3 and 77.8% in cases with Pirads 4-5 on mp-MRI. Among the 40 patients with Pi-rads 4-5 lesion on the MRI, cognitive mp-MRI-guided biopsy (MRCGB) detected a higher number of cases of PCa with a Gleason score equal or superior to 7 (90%) with a higher negative predictive value (97.5%) than cases with Pi-rads 3 lesion or subjects with TRUSGB alone. CONCLUSIONS: mp-MRI followed by selective biopsy seems to be a valuable tool to improve the diagnosis of intermediate and high risk PCa compared to standard TRUSGB.

[Effects of cadmium on the ovarian parenchyma in Swiss albino mice]. / Efectos del cadmio sobre el parénquima ovarico en ratones albinos suizos.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of cadmium on the ovarian parenchyma. An experimental study was designed with 25 Swiss albino mice (healthy females) living 50 days under controlled laboratory conditions. For the experimental group, 21 mice were selected at random and divided into 3 groups (B, C, and D) of 7 animals each; thereafter they were exposed, respectively, to 50, 100 and 150 ppm of cadmium chloride dissolved in water offered ad libitum. They were compared with the control group A (6 remaining mice). Beginning on week three, physical and behavioral changes were observed: darkening of the eyes, yellowish discoloration of hair, flaccid and hypotonic muscles, irritability, aggressiveness and indifference. Ovaric histological findings were compared among the groups through optic microscopy and they were the following in cadmium exposed mice: 1) in the epithelium, proliferation, finger-like projections, hyperplasia, degeneration and necrosis; 2) in the ovary cortex, increased numbers of atresic follicles, decreased number of follicles in different stages of maturation, disorganization, edema and decreased number of yellow bodies; 3) in the interfollicular zone, areas of disorganization, edema and necrosis, mainly in the samples belonging to group D; 4) in the ovaric medulla, congestion, hyperemia and large sanguineous vasodilatation tending to haemorrhage. Since these effects increased with increasing concentrations of cadmium chloride, we may conclude that cadmium chloride is a highly toxic agent on the ovaric parenchyma of Swiss albino mice.

[Prevalence and characterization of hearing loss in workers exposed to industrial noise of the turbogenerated electric plant of a petrochemical industry]. / Prevalencia y caracterización de la pérdida auditiva en trabajadores expuestos a ruido industrial de una planta eléctrica turbogenerada en un complejo petroquímico.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the impact of occupational exposure to noise and its relationship with other factors that can induce hearing loss in the electric plant workers of a petrochemical industry of the west of Venezuela. A cross-sectional study was conducted that included sonometry tests, carried out according to the established methodology by COVENIN rules, and the occupational medical evaluation and liminal tonal audiometrics test in 75 workers. The equivalent noise levels (Leq) was quantified in different workplaces. It was found out that most of the workers are exposed to high noise levels [>85 dB(A)] and during more time than the recommended. All workers use hearing protectors appropriately. The hearing loss prevalence in workers was 16.0%, there were not noise-induced hearing losses. The hearing threshold registered in the audiometrics test was diminished, but inside the normal threshold values. We diagnosed 12 cases of conductive hearing loss, all grade I; there were not sensorial or mixed hearing losses. There was not a relationship between the equivalent noise level and hearing loss. It is suggested the design and implantation of a program of auditory conservation to protect the health and security of the workers and to conduct a longitudinal study considering the findings of the present study as it basis.

Parto gemelar de 310 días de gestación en yegua con resultado de un potro vivo y otro en estado de autolisis / Twin Delivery of 310 Days of Gestation in a Mare Resulting in One Live Foal and One Autolysed Foal

Resumen Las preñeces gemelares son gestaciones de alto riesgo, tanto para la yegua como para ambos fetos. Hoy en día existen diferentes técnicas para evitar el avance de este tipo de eventos, tanto en sus inicios como en gestaciones avanzadas. Aun así, existen múltiples casos de gestaciones dobles que presentan diferentes resultados ya evidenciados. En este caso se reportó una yegua de raza polo argentino de ocho años, que llegó al Centro de Perinatología Equina Foal Care por presentar gestación gemelar de 292 días. Se prolongó la gestación durante dieciocho días más, con ayuda de terapia farmacológica. Finalmente, nació un potro vivo con múltiples complicaciones, incluyendo el hecho de ser un potro prematuro. El segundo potro nació muerto con características de momificación y autolisis. En conclusión, se requirió de un adecuado monitoreo reproductivo por parte del veterinario para prevenir el avance de este tipo de gestación.

Abstract Nowadays, there are different techniques to avoid the progression of this type of events, both in early and advanced gestations. Even so, there are multiple cases of double gestations that present different results already evidenced. In this case, an eight-year-old Argentine polo mare was reported, who arrived at the Foal Care Equine Perinatology Center because she presented a twin gestation of 292 days. The gestation was prolonged for eighteen more days, with the help of pharmacological therapy. Finally, a live foal was born with multiple complications, including being a premature foal. The second foal was stillborn with mummification and autolysis characteristics. In conclusion, adequate reproductive monitoring by the veterinarian was required to prevent the progression of this type of gestation.

Ice immersion as a postharvest treatment of oysters for the reduction of Vibrio vulnificus.

Vibrio vulnificus produces serious illnesses that are commonly associated with shellfish consumption, particularly raw oysters. Ingestion can result in fatal septicemia in susceptible individuals with hepatitis, cirrhosis, immune dysfunction, diabetes, or hemochromatosis (metabolic iron overload). Therefore, postharvest treatments to reduce vibrio levels in oysters have been recommended. In this study, rapid chilling by immersion of unwashed whole oysters in ice for 3 h was assessed as a postharvest treatment for reduction of V. vulnificus. Treated oysters were subsequently refrigerated at 45 degrees F (7.2 degrees C), whereas control oysters were not iced but were maintained at 45 degrees F throughout the study. Homogenized meats were monitored for total heterotrophic aerobic bacteria, V. vulnificus, and fecal coliform content before and after treatment over a 2-week period. V. vulnificus was enumerated by DNA probe hybridization of colonies from standard plate counts on nonselective medium, and recovery was compared for several media. Loss of plating efficiency was observed on standard selective and differential media compared with nonselective agars. Numbers of V. vulnificus generally declined in treated samples compared with controls; however, increases in total heterotrophic bacteria and fecal coliforms were also observed in treated samples at some time points. This study does not support the use of ice immersion as a postharvest method because of the relatively small declines in V. vulnificus numbers and the possibility of concomitant increases in fecal coliform and total bacterial contamination.

Efficacy of a Brief Intervention to Reduce Substance Use and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Risk Among Latino Youth.

PURPOSE: Familias Unidas is an efficacious and effective family-based intervention for preventing and reducing substance use and unsafe sexual behaviors among Latino youth. To facilitate its dissemination, Familias Unidas was shortened from a 12-week intervention to a 6-week intervention and evaluated. We hypothesized that brief Familias Unidas would be efficacious in reducing substance use and unsafe sexual behaviors relative to a comparison condition. METHODS: We randomized 160 ninth-grade Latino adolescents and their families to brief Familias Unidas or a community practice control condition. Adolescents were surveyed at baseline and 6, 12, and 24 months after baseline. RESULTS: At 24 months, youth randomized to brief Familias Unidas had a significantly lower sexual initiation rate (34.0%) relative to control (55.0%), p = .02. Brief Familias Unidas also increased positive parenting. Moderation analyses revealed that brief Familias Unidas was significantly associated with decreased substance use initiation among girls (30.4% vs. 64.0%, respectively; p = .02), but not boys (28.0% vs. 26.7%, respectively; p = .91). Brief Familias Unidas was also significantly associated with reduced unsafe sex among adolescents aged 15 years or less (p < .001), but not among older adolescents (p = .37). Moderating effects were also found for family-level variables. CONCLUSIONS: Brief Familias Unidas was efficacious in reducing sex initiation and improving positive parenting. Moderation analyses suggested that brief Familias Unidas was efficacious in reducing substance use initiation and unsafe sex for certain Hispanic adolescent subgroups, highlighting the importance of conducting moderation analyses, and of targeting interventions for specific subgroups.