Contribution of Toxin-Antitoxin Systems to Adherent-Invasive E. coli Pathogenesis.

Pathobionts have been implicated in various chronic diseases, including Crohn's disease (CD), a multifactorial chronic inflammatory condition that primarily affects the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation and damage to the digestive system. While the exact cause of CD remains unclear, adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) strains have emerged as key contributors to its pathogenesis. AIEC are characterized by their ability to adhere to and invade intestinal epithelial cells and survive and replicate inside macrophages. However, the mechanisms underlying the virulence and persistence of AIEC within their host remain the subject of intensive research. Toxin-antitoxin systems (TAs) play a potential role in AIEC pathogenesis and may be therapeutic targets. These systems generally consist of two components: a toxin harmful to the cell and an antitoxin that neutralizes the toxin's effects. They contribute to bacterial survival in adverse conditions and regulate bacterial growth and behavior, affecting various cellular processes in bacterial pathogens. This review focuses on the current information available to determine the roles of TAs in the pathogenicity of AIEC. Their contribution to the AIEC stress response, biofilm formation, phage inhibition, the maintenance of mobile genetic elements, and host lifestyles is discussed.

Nickel removing by electrocoagulation of Ni(II)-NH3-CO2-SO2-H2O system. Kinetics, isothermal, mechanism and estimated cost of operation.

This study reports nickel removing by electrocoagulation of Ni(II)-NH3-CO2-SO2-H2O system at laboratory scale. Experiments were done using Al/Al pair electrodes at initial nickel concentration between 293 and 1356 mg·L-1 and under operation parameters of pH 8.6, current density 9.8 mA·cm-2, electrolysis time 30 min, and temperature 60 ºC. The obtained results show removal efficiencies between 97.7 and 99.7 %. Kinetics modeling suggested combined effects of external diffusion and nucleation, and as controlling step the chemical reaction and a possible autocatalytic contribution. The process followed the Langmuir´s isotherm with a maximum adsorption capacity of 7519 mg·g-1. ICP-OES, XRD and FTIR characterization of the precipitates indicated a typical Ni-Al layered double hydroxide structures with 33.4-40.7 % nickel and 6.3-7.0 % aluminum depending on initial nickel concentration. The operation costs of energy and electrode consumption were 320 - 537 $·t-1 of removed nickel.

Severity of protein-energy wasting and obesity are independently related with poor quality of life in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Protein-energy wasting (PEW) and poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are independently associated with morbi-mortality in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). PEW may reduce HRQoL; however, we hypothesized HRQoL is affected differentially by PEW degrees or by individual criteria of nutritional status. AIM: To evaluate HRQoL according to PEW severity and nutritional status indicators in CAPD. This is a cross-sectional study in 151 patients. Subjective global assessment (SGA) was employed, and nutritional status classified as normal, mild-moderate PEW, and severe PEW. HRQoL was evaluated using Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form™, including physical (PCS), mental (MCS) and kidney disease (KDCS) components, and their subscales. Dietary intake, anthropometric and biochemical variables were measured. Forty-six percent of patients were well-nourished, 44% had mild-moderate PEW, and 10% severe PEW. Compared with well-nourished patients, those with mild-moderate (p=0.06) and severe (p=0.005) PEW had lower HRQoL score [68 (52-75), 55 (45-72), 46 (43-58), respectively]. PCS, MCS, and KDCS and their subscales had lower values as PEW was more severe. Patients with obesity and hypoalbuminemia had significantly lower HRQoL overall and component scores than their counterparts. Dietary intake was not associated with quality of life. In multivariate analysis obesity, PEW (by SGA), hypoalbuminemia, and low educational level predicted poor HRQoL (χ2 58.2, p<0.0001). As conclusion, PEW severity was related with worse HRQoL, either as overall score or in every component or subscale in CAPD patients. Poor HRQoL was predicted independently by PEW severity and obesity; additional predictors were hypoalbuminemia and low education.

Severity of protein-energy wasting and obesity are independently related with poor quality of life in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Protein-energy wasting (PEW) and poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are independently associated with morbi-mortality in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). PEW may reduce HRQoL; however, we hypothesized HRQoL is affected differentially by PEW degrees or by individual criteria of nutritional status. AIM: To evaluate HRQoL according to PEW severity and nutritional status indicators in CAPD. This is a cross-sectional study in 151 patients. Subjective global assessment (SGA) was employed, and nutritional status classified as normal, mild-moderate PEW, and severe PEW. HRQoL was evaluated using Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form™, including physical (PCS), mental (MCS) and kidney disease (KDCS) components, and their subscales. Dietary intake, anthropometric and biochemical variables were measured. Forty-six percent of patients were well-nourished, 44% had mild-moderate PEW, and 10% severe PEW. Compared with well-nourished patients, those with mild-moderate (p=0.06) and severe (p=0.005) PEW had lower HRQoL score [68 (52-75), 55 (45-72), 46 (43-58), respectively]. PCS, MCS, and KDCS and their subscales had lower values as PEW was more severe. Patients with obesity and hypoalbuminemia had significantly lower HRQoL overall and component scores than their counterparts. Dietary intake was not associated with quality of life. In multivariate analysis obesity, PEW (by SGA), hypoalbuminemia, and low educational level predicted poor HRQoL (χ2 58.2, p<0.0001). As conclusion, PEW severity was related with worse HRQoL, either as overall score or in every component or subscale in CAPD patients. Poor HRQoL was predicted independently by PEW severity and obesity; additional predictors were hypoalbuminemia and low education.

Measuring the Efficacy of a Pilot Public Health Intervention for Engaging Communities of Puerto Rico to Rapidly Write Hurricane Protection Plans.

OBJECTIVE: The efficacy is measured for a public health intervention related to community-based planning for population protection measures (PPMs; ie, shelter-in-place and evacuation). DESIGN: This is a mixed (qualitative and quantitative) prospective study of intervention efficacy, measured in terms of usability related to effectiveness, efficiency, satisfaction, and degree of community engagement. SETTING: Two municipalities in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are included. PARTICIPANTS: Community members consisting of individuals; traditional leaders; federal, territorial, and municipal emergency managers; municipal mayors; National Guard; territorial departments of education, health, housing, public works, and transportation; health care; police; Emergency Medical Services; faith-based organizations; nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); and the private sector. INTERVENTION: The intervention included four community convenings: one for risk communication; two for plan-writing; and one tabletop exercise (TTX). This study analyzed data collected from the project work plan; participant rosters; participant surveys; workshop outputs; and focus group interviews. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Efficacy was measured in terms of ISO 9241-11, an international standard for usability that includes effectiveness, efficiency, user satisfaction, and "freedom from risk" among users. Degree of engagement was considered an indicator of "freedom from risk," measurable through workshop attendance. RESULTS: Two separate communities drafted and exercised ~60-page-long population protection plans, each within 14.5 hours. Plan-writing workshops completed 100% of plan objectives and activities. Efficiency rates were nearly the same in both communities. Interviews and surveys indicated high degrees of community satisfaction. Engagement was consistent among community members and variable among governmental officials. CONCLUSIONS: Frontline communities have successfully demonstrated the ability to understand the environmental health hazards in their own community; rapidly write consensus-based plans for PPMs; participate in an objective-based TTX; and perform these activities in a bi-lingual setting. This intervention appears to be efficacious for public use in the rapid development of community-based PPMs.

Evaluación del Modelo multicomponente de telecuidado de apoyo a personas con prediabetes y obesidad en Chile

Antecedentes: la prediabetes es una condición reversible y su tratamiento una oportunidad para modificar prácticas no saludables. Objetivo: evaluar la efectividad del Modelo Multi-componente de Telecuidado para apoyo a personas con prediabetes y obesidad en Chile. Método: ensayo clínico controlado en centros de atención primaria, Santiago, Chile. Se realizó un muestreo y asignación aleatoria en cada uno de los 5 centros de salud participantes. Participantes: 70 adultos con pre-diabetes, IMC: 25-34 y acceso a telefonía móvil. GI (n = 33), recibió modelo: consejerías telefónicas, envío de SMS, material educativo y equipos auto-monitoreo; y GC (n = 32) atención habitual atención habitual y equipos de auto-monitoreo. Medición pre y post intervención de los conocimientos sobre Prediabetes, alimentación no saludable, actividad física, peso, circunferencia de cintura, Glicemia, Triglicéridos y Colesterol Total. Resultados: en el GI, la intervención fue efectiva en mantener estable el nivel de conocimientos sobre pre-diabetes y disminuir nivel de triglicéridos. El modelo no superó a la atención habitual en disminución del peso, circunferencia de cintura, glicemia y colesterol total.

Background: Prediabetes is a reversible condition and its treatment a chance to change unhealthy practices. Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-component tele-care model to support people with pre-diabetes and obesity in Chile. Method: a randomized clinical trial in primary care setting, Santiago, Chile. Participants: 70 adults with pre-diabetes: BMI between 25 and 34 and access to mobile phone. GI (n = 33) received telephone counseling, SMS, educational materials and self-monitoring equipment and GC (n = 32) usual care and self-monitoring equipment. Measures of knowledge of prediabetes, unhealthy diet, physical activity, weight, waist circumference, glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol were made pre and post intervention. Results: in GI the intervention to maintain stable knowledge level about pre-diabetes, and decrease triglycerides level was effective. The model did not exceed usual care for decrease in weight, waist circumference, glucose and cholesterol.

Validación de la Escala Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) en población chilena adulta consultante en Atención Primaria / Validation of the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity Scale (RAPA) in an Adult Chilean Population Seeking Primary Care / Validação da escala Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (Rapa) em população chilena idosa consultante em Atenção Primária

Introducción: la práctica de actividad física es esencial para el cuidado de la salud. Se requiere contar con instrumentos que permitan medirla y monitorear los cambios en las personas que la practican. Objetivos: adaptar culturalmente el cuestionario Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA), y estimar sus propiedades psicométricas, su validez y confiabilidad, para medir el nivel de actividad física en personas adultas consultantes en centros de atención primaria en Santiago (Chile). Materiales y métodos: el RAPA adaptado fue aplicado a 180 adultos asistentes a 5 centros de salud. Se determinó su índice de masa corporal (IMC) y circunferencia de cintura (CC). Resultados: las puntuaciones en la escala RAPA se relacionaron en forma inversa y significativa con el perímetro de cintura y el IMC. Las personas categorizadas con bajo nivel de actividad física (Poco Activo y Poco Activo Regular Ligero) presentan un IMC promedio más elevado y son más frecuentemente categorizados con CC alterada. La confiabilidad del instrumento fue moderada (r = 0,61; K = 0,34). Conclusiones: el RAPA en su versión en español adaptada para Chile, es un instrumento de fácil aplicación, que pese a su moderada confiabilidad, logra ser sensible al desarrollo de actividad física, que presenta una relación coherente con los parámetros antropométricos de IMC y CC sensibles a dicha actividad.

Introduction: Physical activity is vital to health care and having instruments to measure and monitor changes in people who are physically active is essential. Objectives: Culturally adapt the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) questionnaire and estimate its psychometric properties, validity and reliability as an instrument to measure the level of physical activity among adults seeking primary care at health centers in Santiago (Chile). Materials and Methods: The adapted RAPA was applied to 180 adults who were being treated at five health centers. Their body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) was determined. Results: The scores on the RAPA scale were inversely and significantly linked to waist circumference and BMI. Persons categorized as having low levels of physical activity (i.e., little activity and little regular light activity) have a higher BMI, on average, and are more often categorized with altered WC. The reliability of the instrument was moderate (r = 61; K = 0.34). Conclusions: The Spanish language version of the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) questionnaire adapted for Chile is a user-friendly application. Despite being only moderately reliable, it is sensitive to the development of physical activity, which shows a coherent connection to the anthropometric parameters of BMI and WC that are sensitive to this kind of activity.

Introdução: a prática de atividade física é essencial para o cuidado da saúde. Requer-se contar com instrumentos que permitam medi-la e monitorar as mudanças nas pessoas que a praticam. Objetivos: adaptar culturalmente o questionário Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (Rapa) e estimar suas propriedades psicométricas, sua validade e confiabilidade para medir o nível de atividade física em pessoas idosas consultantes em centros de atenção primária em Santiago (Chile). Materiais e método: o Rapa adaptado foi aplicado a 180 idosos frequentadores de cinco unidades de saúde. Determinou-se seu índice de massa corporal (IMC) e circunferência de cintura (CC). Resultados: as pontuações na escala Rapa se relacionaram em forma inversa e significativa com o perímetro de cintura e o IMC. As pessoas categorizadas com baixo nível de atividade física (pouco ativo e pouco ativo regular leve) apresentaram um IMC médio mais elevado e são mais frequentemente categorizadas com CC alterada. A confiabilidade do instrumento foi moderada (r = ,61; K = 0,34). Conclusões: o Rapa em sua versão em espanhol adaptada para o Chile é um instrumento de fácil aplicação, que, mesmo com sua moderada confiabilidade, consegue ser sensível ao desenvolvimento da atividade física, que apresenta uma relação coerente com os parâmetros antropométricos de IMC e CC sensíveis a essa atividade.