Influential Insider: Wolbachia, an Intracellular Symbiont, Manipulates Bacterial Diversity in Its Insect Host.

Facultative intracellular symbionts like the α-proteobacteria Wolbachia influence their insect host phenotype but little is known about how much they affect their host microbiota. Here, we quantified the impact of Wolbachia infection on the bacterial community of the cabbage root fly Delia radicum by comparing the microbiota of Wolbachia-free and infected adult flies of both sexes. We used high-throughput DNA sequencing (Illumina MiSeq, 16S rRNA, V5-V7 region) and performed a community and a network analysis. In both sexes, Wolbachia infection significantly decreased the diversity of D. radicum bacterial communities and modified their structure and composition by reducing abundance in some taxa but increasing it in others. Infection by Wolbachia was negatively correlated to 8 bacteria genera (Erwinia was the most impacted), and positively correlated to Providencia and Serratia. We suggest that Wolbachia might antagonize Erwinia for being entomopathogenic (and potentially intracellular), but would favor Providencia and Serratia because they might protect the host against chemical plant defenses. Although they might seem prisoners in a cell, endocellular symbionts can impact the whole microbiota of their host, hence its extended phenotype, which provides them with a way to interact with the outside world.

Long-lasting effects of antibiotics on bacterial communities of adult flies.

Insect symbionts benefit their host and their study requires large spectrum antibiotic use like tetracycline to weaken or suppress symbiotic communities. While antibiotics have a negative impact on insect fitness, little is known about antibiotic effects on insect microbial communities and how long they last. We characterized the bacterial communities of adult cabbage root fly Delia radicum in a Wolbachia-free population and evaluated the effect of tetracycline treatment on these communities over several generations. Three D. radicum generations were used: the first- and second-generation flies either ingested tetracycline or not, while the third-generation flies were untreated but differed with their parents and/or grandparents that had or had not been treated. Fly bacterial communities were sequenced using a 16S rRNA gene. Tetracycline decreased fly bacterial diversity and induced modifications in both bacterial abundance and relative frequencies, still visible on untreated offspring whose parents and/or grandparents had been treated, therefore demonstrating long-lasting transgenerational effects on animal microbiomes after antibiotic treatment. Flies with an antibiotic history shared bacterial genera, potentially tetracycline resistant and heritable. Next, the transmission should be investigated by comparing several insect development stages and plant compartments to assess vertical and horizontal transmissions of D. radicum bacterial communities.

Influence of the symbiont Wolbachia on life history traits of the cabbage root fly (Delia radicum).

Wolbachia is an endocellular bacteria infecting arthropods and nematodes and is only transmitted vertically by females via the cytoplasm of the egg. It is often a manipulator of host reproduction, causing cytoplasmic incompatibility, thelytokous parthenogenesis, feminization or male killing, which all increase the proportion of infected females in the population. However, Wolbachia can modify life history traits of the host without causing the above phenotypes and each species illustrates the variability of relationships between this remarkably versatile symbiont and its many hosts. We have measured maternal transmission and the impact of a natural Wolbachia infection in the cabbage root fly Delia radicum, a major agricultural pest. We used a population that is polymorphic for the infection to ensure similar genetic and microbiome backgrounds between groups. Maternal transmission of the infection was 100% in our sample. We found no evidence of cytoplasmic incompatibility, thelytokous parthenogenesis, feminization nor male killing. Wolbachia infection significantly reduced hatch rate in infected eggs (by 10%) but improved larvo-nymphal viability sufficiently so that infected eggs nevertheless yielded as many adults as uninfected ones, albeit with a 1.5% longer total development time. Starved and infected ovipositing females suffered significantly reduced viability (20% higher mortality during a 3-day oviposition period) than uninfected females, but mortality was not higher in starved virgin females nor in starved males, suggesting that the energetic cost of the infection is only revealed in extreme conditions. Wolbachia had no effect on egg hatch time or offspring size. The apparently 100% vertical transmission and the significant but mutually compensating effects found suggest that infection might be nearly benign in this host and might only drift slowly, which would explain why the infection rate has been stable in our laboratory (approximately 50% individuals infected) for at least 30 generations.

Observational study of thrombolytic treatment for acute stroke in patients older and younger than 80 years: experience from one hospital in Bogotá, Colombia, 2007-2014 / Estudio observacional sobre tratamiento trombolítico del infarto cerebral agudo en pacientes mayores y menores de 80 años: experiencia de un hospital en Bogotá, Colombia, 2007-2014

Abstract Background: We depict the experience with the use of thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke in a tertiary center in South America. Objective: To describe the main outcomes in our population of patients aged less and older than 80 years treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. Materials and Methods: Retrospective observational study. We described the main variables and the difference in outcome accounting for age. Results: 70 patients were included. 51.4% of the patients were women, 22.8% were older than 80 years. The average window time was 70 minutes and the average door-to-needle time was 90 minutes. Hypertension, dyslipidemia and previous stroke were the most common risk factors. Favorable outcome Modified Rankin Scale ≤2 was present in 25% of the patients older than 80 years and 53.7% in the population younger than 80 years (p=0.009). Mortality was present in 31.2% of the patients older than 80 years and in 5.5% of the patients younger than 80 years (p=0.005). Symptomatic intra-cerebral hemorrhage was found in 6.25% of the patients older than 80 years (p=0.65), compared to 3.7% in the younger than 80 years. Conclusions: We found that intravenous thrombolysis still had benefit in people older than 80 years. Significant differences in symptomatic intra-cerebral hemorrhage were not found, however, a greater mortality in patients older than 80 years was. These findings of our experience of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator use in real life are consistent with other latinamerican publications. MÉD.UIS. 2017;30(3):21-30.

Resumen Introducción: Describimos la experiencia con el uso de trombólisis para el infarto cerebral isquémico agudo en un centro terciario en América del Sur. Objetivos: Describir los principales resultados en nuestra población de pacientes menores y mayores de 80 años tratados con activador recombinante de plasminógeno tisular. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio observacional retrospectivo. Se describieron las principales variables y se determinaron los resultados según la edad. Resultados: Se incluyeron 70 pacientes. Se encontró que 51,4% eran mujeres y 22,8% eran mayores de 80 años. El tiempo de ventana promedio estuvo en 70 minutos, así como el de puerta-aguja de 90 minutos. La hipertensión, dislipidemia y accidente cerebrovascular previo fueron los factores de riesgo más comunes. En el 25% de los pacientes mayores de 80 años y el 53,7% de los menores de 80 años, tuvieron un resultado favorable en la Escala Modificada de Rankin ≤ 2 (p = 0,009). La mortalidad estuvo presente en el 31,2% de los pacientes mayores de 80 años y en el 5,5% de los pacientes menores de 80 años (p = 0,005). La hemorragia intracerebral sintomática fue de 6,25% en los pacientes mayores de 80 años, frente a los menores de 80 años 3,7% (p = 0,65). Conclusiones: Se encontró que la trombólisis todavía presenta beneficio en personas mayores de 80 años. No se encontraron diferencias en cuanto a la hemorragia intra-cerebral sintomática, pero se presentó una mayor mortalidad en los mayores de 80 años. En esta experiencia el uso de rt-PA en la vida real es consistente con otras publicaciones latinoamericanas. MÉD.UIS. 2017;30(3):21-30.

Cumplimiento de las recomendaciones de prevención secundaria de enfermedad coronaria en pacientes sometidos a revascularización coronaria percutánea en el Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá / Compliance with recommendations of secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary revascularization in the University Hospital Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá

Marco de referencia: diferentes ensayos clínicos han mostrado que el efecto de las revascularizaciones y los procedimientos de angioplastia en el pronóstico del paciente, tiene sólo un efecto a corto plazo, mientras que la prevención secundaria (cambio de estilo de vida y tratamiento intensivo) mejora el pronóstico a largo plazo. Objetivo: evaluar el cumplimiento de las recomendaciones para prevención cardiovascular secundaria, de los pacientes sometidos a revascularización coronaria percutánea en el hospital universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, entre los anos 2008 y 2010. Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo, ambispectivo, cuya población estuvo conformada por 332 pacientes sometidos a intervención coronaria percutánea atendidos entre enero de 2008 a diciembre de 2010 en el servicio de hemodinamia del Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá. La recolección de la información se realizó mediante revisión de las historias clínicas de los pacientes y vía telefónica. Las metas de control se basaron en las recomendaciones de la Asociación Americana del Corazón y el Colegio Americano de Cardiología. Resultados: 332 pacientes fueron sometidos a revascularización coronaria percutánea y 4 fueron excluidos del estudio por falta de datos. La presentación clínica más frecuente fue la angina inestable (32,93%). Sólo se contactaron 172 (52,43%) pacientes, de los cuales 77,4% eran hombres y 22,6% mujeres. Únicamente 6 (3,5%) cumplían con el 100% de las recomendaciones para la prevención secundaria de enfermedad coronaria y 17% cumplía menos del 50% de éstas. Conclusiones: la experiencia en la Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá muestra un pobre cumplimiento de las metas de prevención secundaria de enfermedad coronaria.

Context: different clinical trials have shown that the effect of revascularization and angioplasty procedures in the prognosis of the patient has only a short-term effect, while secondary prevention (lifestyle change and intensive treatment) improves long-term prognosis. Objective: to assess compliance with the recommendations for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary revascularization at the University Hospital Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, between 2008 and 2010. Materials and Methods: a descriptive ambispective study, whose population was conformed by 332 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention seen between January 2008 and December 2010 in the service of hemodynamics of the University Hospital Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá. The data collection was conducted by reviewing the medical records of the patients and by telephone. Control targets were based on the recommendations of the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. Results: 332 patients underwent percutaneous coronary revascularization. 4 were excluded from the study due to lack of data. The most common clinical presentation was unstable angina (32.93%). Only 172 patients (52.43%) were contacted. From these, 77.4% were male and 22.6% female. Only 6 (3.5%) met 100% of the recommendations for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and 17% met less than 50% of these recommendations. Conclusions: the experience in the Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá shows a poor compliance with the goals of secondary prevention of coronary disease.

A case of renal artery thrombosis with renal infarction.

Renal artery thrombosis is a rare, but serious and often misdiagnosed, condition. Emergency physicians and other physicians need to consider this diagnosis in unexplained flank pain, especially in patients with risk factors for this disease. In this case report, the authors review a case of renal infarction caused by renal artery thrombosis in a patient with risk factors for thrombosis but no previous history of thromboembolism. A review of scholarly articles was performed and the case is discussed in the context of the current knowledge of this condition. Common presenting symptoms, features of the history and risk factors will all be discussed herein. Diagnostic evaluation of flank pain in the setting of the suspicion of renal infarction will be discussed, including the modalities of high-resolution computed tomography, renal angiography, scintography and ultrasound. Acute management and prognosis will also be discussed.

Non-viral human IL-10 gene expression reduces acute rejection in heterotopic auxiliary liver transplantation in rats.

We studied nonviral delivery, expression, and the effect of the human interleukin-10 (Hu IL-10) gene on the rat model of heterotopic auxiliary liver transplantation (HALT). Two previous pilot studies showed remarkable expression of the Hu IL-10 gene in donor and recipient rats, and a decreasing effect of acute rejection in certain cases. In this study, we focused on the efficacy of Hu IL-10 gene expression to decrease acute rejection compared with cyclosporine A (CyA) in a HALT model. Three study groups and one control group were designed. Each group consisted of 6 DA donor and 6 Lewis recipient rats, which underwent HALT. In the control group, donors and recipients were not treated at all. In group II, recipients were treated with one dose of CyA. In group III, donors were treated with Hu IL-10 plasmid. In group IV, donors were treated with Hu IL-10 plasmid, and recipients were treated with one dose of CyA. Rejection was established by histopathology: it revealed 100% rejection in control and 33.3% rejection in study groups II, III, and IV. Human IL-10 gene expression prevented acute rejection with the same efficacy as CyA in the HALT model in rats.