In vivo attenuation and genetic evolution of a ST247-SCCmecI MRSA clone after 13 years of pathogenic bronchopulmonary colonization in a patient with cystic fibrosis: implications of the innate immune response.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes chronic pulmonary infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). This study tracks the 13-year evolution (1996-2009) of a single MRSA clone in a male patient with CF, evaluating both the host immunogenic response and the microbial variations. Whole-genome sequencing was performed for the initial (CF-96) and evolved (CF-09) isolates. The immunogenicity of CF-96 and CF-09 was evaluated by incubation with innate immune cells from healthy volunteers. We also studied the patient's innate immune response profile, cytokine production, expression of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1), and phagocytosis. A total of 30 MRSA ST247-SCCmecI-pvl(-) isolates were collected, which evidenced a genome size reduction from the CF-96 ancestor to the evolved CF-09 strain. Up to six changes in the spa-type were observed over the course of the 13-year evolution. Cytokine production, TREM-1 expression, and phagocytosis were significantly lower for the healthy volunteer monocytes exposed to CF-09, compared with those exposed to CF-96. Patient monocytes exhibited a reduced inflammatory response when challenged with CF-09. Genetic changes in MRSA, leading to reduced immunogenicity and entry into the refractory state, may contribute to the attenuation of virulence and efficient persistence of the bacteria in the CF lung.

[Prebiotic inulin/oligofructose in Yacón root (Smallanthus sonchifolius), phytochemistry and standardization as basis for clinical and pre-clinical research]. / Prebiótico Inulina/Oligofructosa en la raíz del Yacón (Smallanthus Sonchifolius),Fitoquímica y Estandarización como base de estudios preclínicos y clínicos.

INTRODUCTION: Experiments have demonstrated that the association between inulin and oligofructose can prevent colitis by modifying the intestinal microflora by acting as a prebiotic. It has also been found that this association is naturally present in the roots of the Yacón root (Smallanthus sonchifolius) making phytochemical and standardization studies well worth pursuing. These studies could contribute to the safe use of improved strains of Yacón, to significant savings in health resources, and to promoting additional clinical and pre-clinical research. So far, studies have been made on organically cultivated Yacón in the coast, on varieties adapted from those cultivated in the Andes. The aim is to promote consumption of Yacón in the sectors of society that need it most. OBJECTIVE: To determine the general chemical composition of the Yacón tuberous root cultivated in the coast by means of a phytochemical screening, as well as standardizing its inulin content in order to contribute knowledge on its conditions of use. METHODS: The roots harvested in the Lima Botanical Garden of the National Health Institute were used to prepare aqueous extracts through decoction and juice for the phytochemical screening with conventional reagents. The aqueous extracts were standardized for insulin content by using a fructose standard method and a validated analytical technique. The samples were read in a TU-1810S Split Beam UV-VIS spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The trials confirmed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, glycosides and carbohydrates. The standardization found values of 7,8% inulin in the hydrolyzed extract and of 7, 01% in the non-hydrolyzed extract. CONCLUSIONS: The extracts of the Yacón roots were screened and standardized Ander known cultivation conditions. The possibilities of its use are being considered due to its prebiotic properties. These properties are considered useful in treating certain types of colitis by stimulating the growth of the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium microflora. Saving of health resources would be possible and further clinical and pre-clinical research would be encouraged.

Diseños de respuesta múltiple: aplicación de la teoría de la detección de señales al análisis de la inferencia visual de series de tiempo / Visual inspection and type of graphs used

El objetivo de la investigación fue estudiar si la evaluación de la efectividad de un tratamiento mediante inspección visual dependía del tipo de representación gráfica. Se estudiaron 3 sujetos a los que se les presentó 3.000 gráficos (1.000 de líneas, 1.000 de barras y 1.000 de caja), representando cada uno de ellos los resultados de un diseño A-B. Los resultados indicaron que los sujetos cometieron mayor número de errores cuando los datos se presentaban mediante líneas o barras (AU)

The objective of this research was to see if the evaluation of the effectiveness of a given treatment through visual inspection depends on the type of graphs used. Three subjects were studied with 3000 graphs (1.000 line, 1.000 bar and 1.000 box-plots), each one representing the results of an A-B design. The results indicate that the subjects committed more errors when the data was presented by lines or bars instead of box-plots (AU)