Transition times across the HIV care continuum in Spain from 2005 to 2022: a longitudinal cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Ending AIDS by 2030 requires improvements across all stages of the HIV care continuum. We used a longitudinal approach to assess changes in the HIV care continuum in Spain and transition probabilities across different stages. METHODS: We used data from the prospective Cohort of the Spanish HIV/AIDS Research Network to analyse the time from diagnosis to linkage to care, linkage to care to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and ART to viral suppression in five calendar periods defined by milestones in ART, from 2005 to 2022. We used the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard models to estimate cumulative probabilities of stage transition within 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of stage eligibility, by period. FINDINGS: We included 18 529 participants. Comparing the initial (2005-09) and final (2020-22) periods, time to linkage to care decreased from a median of 6·0 weeks to 1·3 weeks, time to ART initiation from 15·9 weeks to 0·4 weeks, and time to viral suppression from 13·3 weeks to 7·1 weeks. Adjusted hazard ratios for the comparison between the last period and the initial period were 3·1 (95% CI 2·8-3·4) for linkage to care within 1 month, 11·4 (10·1-12·3) for ART initiation within 1 month, and 2·2 (1·2-2·4) for viral suppression within 3 months. The aggregate proportion of late diagnoses was 38·6%, increasing after 2012 to 46·4% in the 2020-22 period. Same-day ART initiation increased from 18% to 39% from 2005 to 2022. The overall incidence rate of virological failure was 1·05 failures per 1000 person-years and showed a non-significant decline throughout the study. INTERPRETATION: The great improvement in transition times through the HIV care cascade might put Spain on the verge of achieving the UNAIDS targets for HIV elimination. However, late diagnosis remains a challenge that should be addressed. FUNDING: Instituto de Salud Carlos III and Spanish AIDS Research Network.

Madrid immigrants' perceptions of urban food environments and their dietary behaviours.

Large cities are home to several groups of immigrants who undergo important changes in their environmental conditions and lifestyles that significantly modify their risk of chronic diseases. Quantitative evidence indicates that both their health and diet worsen over time; much less is known about the qualitative mechanisms that cause these changes. The aim of this article is to understand how immigrants in the city of Madrid perceive the relation between the urban food environment and dietary behaviour. Based on a Social Ecological Framework, we conducted a secondary qualitative analysis derived from data from 41 immigrant residents, collected in eight focus groups (FGs), conducted in two neighbourhoods in the city of Madrid. We identified the following main categories: 1) Transnational identity and dietary behaviour in the neighbourhood; 2) Transitions in dietary behaviour; and 3) Societal/structural factors determining dietary behaviour in the neighbourhood. The participants in the FGs mentioned that they try to maintain traditional dietary customs and perceive that the taste of their typical dishes is better than those of Spanish dishes. Contradictorily, some participants considered their traditional dietary patterns to be less healthy than Mediterranean ones (consuming olive oil, vegetables, fish). Some participants acknowledged having adapted to the latter voluntarily or through dietary negotiations with their children. Immigrant families with two working parents have difficulties cooking homemade food and resort to less healthy options, such as eating fast food or ready-made meals. Due to their low purchasing power, they buy both ethnic products and other products, as well as considering the prices and offers in supermarkets. Our study highlights several structural mechanisms connecting the physical and social urban food environment with dietary behaviours among immigrant residents of a large city.

Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity among community-dwelling Peruvian adults: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity (SO) have emerged as significant contributors to negative health outcomes in the past decade. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of probable sarcopenia, sarcopenia, and SO in a community-dwelling population of 1151 adults aged ≥55 years in Lima, Peru. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 2018 and 2020. Sarcopenia was defined as the presence of low muscle strength (LMS) and low muscle mass (LMM) according to European (EWGSOP2), US (FNIH) and Asian (AWGS2) guidelines. We measured muscle strength by maximum handgrip strength and muscle mass using bioelectrical impedance analyzer. SO was defined as a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 and sarcopenia. RESULTS: The study participants had a mean age of 66.2 years (SD 7.1), age range between 60 to 92 years old, of which 621 (53.9%) were men. Among the sample, 41.7% were classified as obese (BMI ≥30.0 kg/m²). The prevalence of probable sarcopenia was estimated to be 22.7% (95%CI: 20.3-25.1) using the EWGSOP2 criteria and 27.8% (95%CI: 25.2-30.4) using the AWGS2 criteria. Sarcopenia prevalence, assessed using skeletal muscle index (SMI), was 5.7% (95%CI: 4.4-7.1) according to EWGSOP2 and 8.3% (95%CI: 6.7-9.9) using AWGS2 criteria. The prevalence of sarcopenia based on the FNIH criteria was 18.1% (95%CI: 15.8-20.3). The prevalence of SO, considering different sarcopenia definitions, ranged from 0.8% (95%CI: 0.3-1.3) to 5.0% (95%CI: 3.8-6.3). CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal substantial variation in the prevalence of sarcopenia and SO, underscoring the necessity for context-specific cut-off values. Although the prevalence of SO was relatively low, this result may be underestimated. Furthermore, the consistently high proportion of probable sarcopenia and sarcopenia point to a substantial public health burden.

[Energy poverty and self-rated health among Roma population and general population in Spain]. / Pobreza energética y salud en población gitana y en población general de España.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify energy poverty in Roma population and in general population in Spain, in 2016, as well as to observe the association of this phenomenon with self-rated health, adjusted according to the main socio-economic determinants. METHOD: Energy poverty has been defined as the financial inability to keep a home warm, the presence of dampness in the dwelling and falling into arrears in utility bills, using data from two European surveys from Spain in 2016: the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) and the Second Survey on Minorities and Discrimination (EU-MIDIS II). Hierarchical logistic regression models were estimated with self-rated health as the outcome variable, progressively adjusted according to demographic (gender and age), environmental (household temperature, humidity and arrears in utility bills) and socio-economic (level of education, marital status and employment status) variables. RESULTS: Our results show that 45% of the Roma population had moderate or high levels of energy poverty. The odds ratio (OR) of poor self-rated health was higher in the Roma population (OR: 3.11; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.59-3.74). The inability to maintain an adequate indoor temperature significantly increased the risk of poor health (OR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.90-2.32). After adjusting according to demographic, environmental and socio-economic variables, no association was observed between the population of ascription and self-rated health. CONCLUSIONS: Taking into account the main social determinants, including energy poverty indicators, being Roma is not associated with reporting poor health. This result points to the importance of tackling socio-economic factors, including energy poverty, to reduce health inequalities.

Pobreza energética y salud en población gitana y en población general de España / Energy poverty and self-rated health among Roma population and general population in Spain

Objetivo: Cuantificar la pobreza energética en población gitana y población general de España, en 2016, y observar la asociación de este fenómeno con la salud autopercibida, ajustando por los principales determinantes socioeconómicos. Método: La pobreza energética fue definida como la incapacidad económica para mantener el calor dentro del hogar, la presencia de humedad en la vivienda y tener retrasos en el pago de facturas de suministros, con datos de dos encuestas europeas para España en 2016: la Encuesta sobre Ingresos y Condiciones de Vida (EU-SILC) y la Segunda Encuesta sobre Minorías y Discriminación (EU-MIDIS II). Se calcularon modelos de regresión logística jerárquica con la salud autopercibida como variable resultado, ajustando progresivamente por variables demográficas (género y edad), ambientales (temperatura del hogar, humedad y retrasos en las facturas) y socioeconómicas (nivel educativo, estado civil y situación ocupacional). Resultados: El 45% de la población gitana mostró niveles moderados o altos de pobreza energética. La odds ratio (OR) de mala salud autopercibida era mayor en la población gitana (OR: 3,11; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 2,59-3,74). No poder mantener una temperatura adecuada en el interior del hogar incrementó considerablemente el riesgo de mala salud (OR: 2,10; IC95%: 1,90-2,32). Tras ajustar por variables demográficas, ambientales y socioeconómicas, no observamos asociación entre población de adscripción y salud autopercibida. Conclusiones: Considerando los principales determinantes sociales, indicadores de pobreza energética incluidos, ser una persona gitana no se asocia con declarar mala salud. Este resultado señala la relevancia de abordar los factores socioeconómicos, la pobreza energética entre ellos, para reducir las desigualdades en salud.(AU)

Objective: To quantify energy poverty in Roma population and in general population in Spain, in 2016, as well as to observe the association of this phenomenon with self-rated health, adjusted according to the main socio-economic determinants. Method: Energy poverty has been defined as the financial inability to keep a home warm, the presence of dampness in the dwelling and falling into arrears in utility bills, using data from two European surveys from Spain in 2016: the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) and the Second Survey on Minorities and Discrimination (EU-MIDIS II). Hierarchical logistic regression models were estimated with self-rated health as the outcome variable, progressively adjusted according to demographic (gender and age), environmental (household temperature, humidity and arrears in utility bills) and socio-economic (level of education, marital status and employment status) variables. Results: Our results show that 45% of the Roma population had moderate or high levels of energy poverty. The odds ratio (OR) of poor self-rated health was higher in the Roma population (OR: 3.11; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.59–3.74). The inability to maintain an adequate indoor temperature significantly increased the risk of poor health (OR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.90–2.32). After adjusting according to demographic, environmental and socio-economic variables, no association was observed between the population of ascription and self-rated health. Conclusions: Taking into account the main social determinants, including energy poverty indicators, being Roma is not associated with reporting poor health. This result points to the importance of tackling socio-economic factors, including energy poverty, to reduce health inequalities.(AU)

Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity among community-dwelling Peruvian adults: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity (SO) have emerged as significant contributors to negative health outcomes in the past decade. However, there remains a lack of consensus on the criteria and cut-off thresholds for assessing sarcopenia and SO. Moreover, limited data are available on the prevalence of these conditions in Latin American countries. To address this evidence gap, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of probable sarcopenia, sarcopenia, and SO in a community-dwelling population of 1151 adults aged ≥ 55 years in Lima, Peru. Methods: Data collection for this cross-sectional study was conducted between 2018 and 2020 in two urban low-resource settings in Lima, Peru. Sarcopenia was defined as the presence of low muscle strength (LMS) and low muscle mass (LMM) according to European (EWGSOP2), US (FNIH) and Asian (AWGS) guidelines. We measured muscle strength by maximum handgrip strength; muscle mass using a whole-body single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analyzer, and physical performance using the Short Physical Performance Battery and 4-meter gait speed. SO was defined as a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 and sarcopenia. Results: The study participants had a mean age of 66.2 years (SD 7.1), of which 621 (53.9%) were men, and 41.7% were classified as obese (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2). The prevalence of probable sarcopenia was estimated to be 22.7% (95%CI: 20.3-25.1) using the EWGSOP2 criteria and 27.8% (95%CI:25.2-30.4) using the AWGS criteria. Sarcopenia prevalence, assessed using skeletal muscle index (SMI), was 5.7% (95%CI: 4.4-7.1) according to EWGSOP2 and 8.3% (95%CI: 6.7-9.9) using AWGS criteria. The prevalence of sarcopenia based on the FNIH criteria was 18.1% (95%CI: 15.8-20.3). The prevalence of SO, considering different sarcopenia definitions, ranged from 0.8% (95%CI: 0.3-1.3) to 5.0% (95%CI: 3.8-6.3). Conclusions: Our findings reveal substantial variation in the prevalence of sarcopenia and SO when using different guidelines, underscoring the necessity for context-specific cut-off values. Nevertheless, regardless of the chosen guideline, the prevalence of probable sarcopenia and sarcopenia among community-dwelling older adults in Peru remains noteworthy.

HIV and HCV screening by non-infectious diseases physicians: can we improve testing and hidden infection rates?

Background: Missed opportunities for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) testing remain high. We aimed to ascertain the knowledge of screening guidelines and attitudes of non-infectious disease (ID) hospital physicians and assess the impact of a 1-h session on screening rates and diagnoses. Methods: This interventional study consisted of a 1-h training session on HIV and HCV epidemiology and testing guidelines for non-ID physicians. Pre-and post-session questionnaires compared the knowledge of the guidelines and attitudes toward screening before and after the session. Rates of screening and diagnoses were compared in three 6 months periods: before, immediately after, and 24 months ±4 after the session. Results: A total of 345 physicians from 31 departments participated in these sessions. Before the session, 19.9% (28% medical, 8% surgical) and 17.9% (30% medical, 2.7% surgical) were aware of HIV and HCV testing guidelines, respectively. The willingness to routinely test increased from 5.6 to 22%, whereas not ordering tests decreased from 34.1 to 2.4%. HIV screening rates significantly increased by 20% after the session (7.7 vs. 9.3 tests per 103 patients; p < 0.001), and the effect persisted until the long-term period. The HIV diagnosis rate increased globally (3.6 vs. 5.2 HIV diagnoses per 105 patients; p = 0.157), mainly because of medical services (4.7 vs. 7.7 per 105 patients; p = 0.082). The HCV screening rate increased significantly immediately and in the long term only in medical services (15.7 and 13.6%, respectively). The new active HCV infection rates increased immediately and declined steeply thereafter. Conclusion: A short session for non-ID physicians can improve HIV/HCV screening, increase diagnosis, and contribute to disease elimination.

Bacterial Communities Associated with the Roots of Typha spp. and Its Relationship in Phytoremediation Processes.

Heavy metal pollution is a severe concern worldwide, owing to its harmful effects on ecosystems. Phytoremediation has been applied to remove heavy metals from water, soils, and sediments by using plants and associated microorganisms to restore contaminated sites. The Typha genus is one of the most important genera used in phytoremediation strategies because of its rapid growth rate, high biomass production, and the accumulation of heavy metals in its roots. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria have attracted much attention because they exert biochemical activities that improve plant growth, tolerance, and the accumulation of heavy metals in plant tissues. Because of their beneficial effects on plants, some studies have identified bacterial communities associated with the roots of Typha species growing in the presence of heavy metals. This review describes in detail the phytoremediation process and highlights the application of Typha species. Then, it describes bacterial communities associated with roots of Typha growing in natural ecosystems and wetlands contaminated with heavy metals. Data indicated that bacteria from the phylum Proteobacteria are the primary colonizers of the rhizosphere and root-endosphere of Typha species growing in contaminated and non-contaminated environments. Proteobacteria include bacteria that can grow in different environments due to their ability to use various carbon sources. Some bacterial species exert biochemical activities that contribute to plant growth and tolerance to heavy metals and enhance phytoremediation.

Expression of Mn-sod, PAL1, aos1 and HPL genes in soybean plants overexpressing the NmDef02 defensin.

Plant defensins are a potential tool in crop improvement programs through biotechnology. Their antifungal action makes them attractive molecules for the production of transgenic plants. Information is currently lacking on what happens to the expression of defense genes in transgenic plants that overexpress a defensin. Here we show the relative expression of four defense-related genes: Mn-sod, PAL1, aos1 and HPL evaluated in two transgenic soybean events (Def1 and Def17) constitutively expressing the NmDef02 defensin gene from Nicotiana megalosiphon. The expression of these defense genes showed a differential profile in the transgenic events, with the increased expression of the aos1 gene and the repression of the Mn-sod gene in both events, when compared to the non-transgenic control. Furthermore, the expression of the PAL1 gene only increased in the Def17 event. The results indicate that although there were some changes in the expression of defense genes in transgenic plants overexpressing the defensin NmDef02; the morphoagronomic parameters evaluated were similar to the non-transgenic control. Understanding the molecular changes that occur in these transgenic plants could be of interest in the short, medium and long term.

Using machine learning for crop yield prediction in the past or the future.

The use of ML in agronomy has been increasing exponentially since the start of the century, including data-driven predictions of crop yields from farm-level information on soil, climate and management. However, little is known about the effect of data partitioning schemes on the actual performance of the models, in special when they are built for yield forecast. In this study, we explore the effect of the choice of predictive algorithm, amount of data, and data partitioning strategies on predictive performance, using synthetic datasets from biophysical crop models. We simulated sunflower and wheat data using OilcropSun and Ceres-Wheat from DSSAT for the period 2001-2020 in 5 areas of Spain. Simulations were performed in farms differing in soil depth and management. The data set of farm simulated yields was analyzed with different algorithms (regularized linear models, random forest, artificial neural networks) as a function of seasonal weather, management, and soil. The analysis was performed with Keras for neural networks and R packages for all other algorithms. Data partitioning for training and testing was performed with ordered data (i.e., older data for training, newest data for testing) in order to compare the different algorithms in their ability to predict yields in the future by extrapolating from past data. The Random Forest algorithm had a better performance (Root Mean Square Error 35-38%) than artificial neural networks (37-141%) and regularized linear models (64-65%) and was easier to execute. However, even the best models showed a limited advantage over the predictions of a sensible baseline (average yield of the farm in the training set) which showed RMSE of 42%. Errors in seasonal weather forecasting were not taken into account, so real-world performance is expected to be even closer to the baseline. Application of AI algorithms for yield prediction should always include a comparison with the best guess to evaluate if the additional cost of data required for the model compensates for the increase in predictive power. Random partitioning of data for training and validation should be avoided in models for yield forecasting. Crop models validated for the region and cultivars of interest may be used before actual data collection to establish the potential advantage as illustrated in this study.

Validation of a Semiautomatic Optical Coherence Tomography Digital Image Processing Algorithm for Estimating the Tear Meniscus Height.

Purpose: To design and validate a high-sensitivity semiautomated algorithm, based on adaptive contrast image, able to identify and quantify tear meniscus height (TMH) from optical coherence tomography (OCT) images by using digital image processing (DIP) techniques. Methods: OCT images of the lacrimal meniscus of healthy patients and with dry eye are analyzed by our algorithm, which is composed of two stages: (1) the region of interest and (2) TMH detection and measurement. The algorithm performs an adaptive contrast sequence based on morphologic operations and derivative image intensities. Trueness, repeatability, and reproducibility for TMH measurements are computed and the algorithm performance is statistically compared against the corresponding negative obtained manually by using a commercial software. Results: The algorithm showed excellent repeatability supported by an intraclass correlation coefficient equal to 0.993, a within-subject standard deviation equal to 9.88, and a coefficient of variation equal to 2.96%, and for the reproducibility test, the results did not show a significant difference as the mean value was 244.4 ± 114.9 µm for an expert observer versus 242.4 ± 111.2 µm for the inexperienced observer (P = 0.999). The method strongly suggests the algorithm can predict measurements that are manually performed with commercial software. Conclusions: The presented algorithm possess high potential to identify and measure TMH from OCT images in a reproducible and repeatable way with minimal dependency on user. Translational Relevance: The presented work shows a methodology on how, by using DIP, it is possible to process OCT images to calculate TMH and aid ophthalmologists in the diagnosis of dry eye disease.

Octopamine metabolically reprograms astrocytes to confer neuroprotection against α-synuclein.

Octopamine is a well-established invertebrate neurotransmitter involved in fight or flight responses. In mammals, its function was replaced by epinephrine. Nevertheless, it is present at trace amounts and can modulate the release of monoamine neurotransmitters by a yet unidentified mechanism. Here, through a multidisciplinary approach utilizing in vitro and in vivo models of α-synucleinopathy, we uncovered an unprecedented role for octopamine in driving the conversion from toxic to neuroprotective astrocytes in the cerebral cortex by fostering aerobic glycolysis. Physiological levels of neuron-derived octopamine act on astrocytes via a trace amine-associated receptor 1-Orai1-Ca2+-calcineurin-mediated signaling pathway to stimulate lactate secretion. Lactate uptake in neurons via the monocarboxylase transporter 2-calcineurin-dependent pathway increases ATP and prevents neurodegeneration. Pathological increases of octopamine caused by α-synuclein halt lactate production in astrocytes and short-circuits the metabolic communication to neurons. Our work provides a unique function of octopamine as a modulator of astrocyte metabolism and subsequent neuroprotection with implications to α-synucleinopathies.

Agency and Mental Health Among Peruvian Older Adults During the COVID-19 Lockdown.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the experiences of older Peruvian adults living in urban areas of Lima under lockdown due to the National COVID-19 Emergency, this study analyzes how older adults (aged 60 and older) exercise agency while also living with the negative impacts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and related control measures. METHODS: Between August and December 2020, our research team conducted a telephone-based, qualitative study, in which we undertook semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of low-income older adults living with chronic multimorbidities and limited resources. Forty older adults, 24 women and 16 men, with a mean age of 72 years, participated in the study. For data analysis, we employed thematic analysis with a predominantly inductive approach. RESULTS: Older adults demonstrated several forms of agency to regulate emotions, maintain crucial bonds, foster social relationships, and seek economic and food security. Older adults experienced entertainment and support by caring for pets, undertaking farm work, and practicing their religious beliefs. For several participants and their families, quarantine was an opportunity to strengthen family relationships and learn new technologies. Older adults and their families reorganized themselves to assume new roles and perform activities that improved self-worth and confidence, thereby improving their well-being and mental health. DISCUSSION: Peruvian older adults exerted agency in different ways to respond to and sustain their mental health during the COVID-19 lockdown. Policymakers should value and recognize the agency of older adults when planning future health responses.

Characterization of Endophytic Bacteria Isolated from Typha latifolia and Their Effect in Plants Exposed to Either Pb or Cd.

Plant-associated bacteria in heavy-metal-contaminated environments could be a biotechnological tool to improve plant growth. The present work aimed to isolate lead- and cadmium-tolerant endophytic bacteria from the roots of Typha latifolia growing in a site contaminated with these heavy metals. Endophytic bacteria were characterized according to Pb and Cd tolerance, plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria activities, and their effect on T. latifolia seedlings exposed and non-exposed to Pb and Cd. Pb-tolerant isolates were identified as Pseudomonas azotoformans JEP3, P. fluorescens JEP8, and P. gessardii JEP33, while Cd-tolerant bacteria were identified as P. veronii JEC8, JEC9, and JEC11. They all exert biochemical activities, including indole acetic acid synthesis, siderophore production, and phosphate solubilization. Plant-bacteria interaction assays showed that P. azotoformans JEP3, P. fluorescens JEP8, P. gessardii JEP33, and P. veronii JEC8, JEC9, JEC11 promote the growth of T. latifolia seedlings by increasing the root and shoot length, while in plants exposed to either 5 mg/L of Pb or 10 mg/L of Cd, all bacterial isolates increased the shoot length and the number of roots per plant, suggesting that they are plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria that could contribute to T. latifolia adaptation to the heavy metal polluted site.

GATA-3 is a proto-oncogene in T-cell lymphoproliferative neoplasms.

Neoplasms originating from thymic T-cell progenitors and post-thymic mature T-cell subsets account for a minority of lymphoproliferative neoplasms. These T-cell derived neoplasms, while molecularly and genetically heterogeneous, exploit transcription factors and signaling pathways that are critically important in normal T-cell biology, including those implicated in antigen-, costimulatory-, and cytokine-receptor signaling. The transcription factor GATA-3 regulates the growth and proliferation of both immature and mature T cells and has recently been implicated in T-cell neoplasms, including the most common mature T-cell lymphoma observed in much of the Western world. Here we show that GATA-3 is a proto-oncogene across the spectrum of T-cell neoplasms, including those derived from T-cell progenitors and their mature progeny, and further define the transcriptional programs that are GATA-3 dependent, which include therapeutically targetable gene products. The discovery that p300-dependent acetylation regulates GATA-3 mediated transcription by attenuating DNA binding has novel therapeutic implications. As most patients afflicted with GATA-3 driven T-cell neoplasms will succumb to their disease within a few years of diagnosis, these findings suggest opportunities to improve outcomes for these patients.

OxyR Positively Influences Phaseolotoxin Synthesis and Pyoverdin Production in Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. phaseolicola NPS3121.

Phaseolotoxin is a major virulence factor of the bean pathogen bacterium P. savastanoi pv. phaseolicola. This toxin plays a key role in the development of the halo blight disease in bean plants. So far, the signal transduction pathways involved in the synthesis of phaseolotoxin have not been elucidated. The influence of regulation mechanisms related to the oxidative stress response, in particular the OxyR protein, it has been suggested to be involved in this process.. In this study we evaluated the role of OxyR in P. savastanoi pv. phaseolicola, mainly compared to the synthesis of phaseolotoxin and the virulence of this phytopathogen. Generation of the oxyR-mutant, pathogenicity and virulence tests, and analyses of gene expression by RT-PCR assays were performed. The results showed that OxyR exerts an effect on the synthesis of phaseolotoxin and positively influences the expression of the Pht and Pbo cluster genes. Likewise, OxyR influences the production of pyoverdine by the control of the expression of the genes encoding the PvdS sigma factor, involved in the synthesis of this pigment. This study is the first report on members of the OxyR regulon of P. savastanoi pv. phaseolicola NPS3121.

Comparative Study of Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Hospitalised Patients: A Retrospective Population Study of 500 Hospitalised Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Spanish Population of 220,000 Inhabitants.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the characteristics of fully and partially vaccinated or unvaccinated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who were hospitalised in a population of 220,000 habitants. METHODS: Retrospective, observational, and population studies were conducted on patients who were hospitalised due to COVID-19 from March to October 2021. We assessed the impact of vaccination and other risk factors through Cox multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 500 patients were hospitalised, among whom 77 (15.4%) were fully vaccinated, 86 (17.2%) were partially vaccinated, and 337 (67.4%) were unvaccinated. Fully vaccinated (FV) patients were older and had a higher Charlson index than those of partially vaccinated and unvaccinated patients (NFV). Bilateral pneumonia was more frequent among NFV (259/376 (68.9%)) than among FV patients (32/75 (42.7%)). The former had more intensive care unit admissions (63/423) than the latter (4/77); OR: 2.80; CI (1.07-9.47). Increasing age HZ: 1.1 (1.06-1.14)) and haematological disease at admission HZ: 2.99 (1.26-7.11)) were independent risk factors for higher mortality during the first 30 days of hospitalisation. The probability of an earlier discharge in the subgroup of 440 patients who did not die during the first 30 days of hospitalisation was related to age (older to younger: HZ: 0.98 (0.97-0.99)) and vaccination status. CONCLUSIONS: Among the patients hospitalised because of COVID-19, complete vaccination was associated with less severe forms of COVID-19, with an earlier discharge date. Age and haematological disease were related to a higher mortality rate during the first 30 days of hospitalisation.

Effects of sublethal single, simultaneous and sequential abiotic stresses on phenotypic traits of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Plant responses to abiotic stresses are complex and dynamic, and involve changes in different traits, either as the direct consequence of the stress, or as an active acclimatory response. Abiotic stresses frequently occur simultaneously or in succession, rather than in isolation. Despite this, most studies have focused on a single stress and single or few plant traits. To address this gap, our study comprehensively and categorically quantified the individual and combined effects of three major abiotic stresses associated with climate change (flooding, progressive drought and high temperature) on 12 phenotypic traits related to morphology, development, growth and fitness, at different developmental stages in four Arabidopsis thaliana accessions. Combined sublethal stresses were applied either simultaneously (high temperature and drought) or sequentially (flooding followed by drought). In total, we analysed the phenotypic responses of 1782 individuals across these stresses and different developmental stages. Overall, abiotic stresses and their combinations resulted in distinct patterns of effects across the traits analysed, with both quantitative and qualitative differences across accessions. Stress combinations had additive effects on some traits, whereas clear positive and negative interactions were observed for other traits: 9 out of 12 traits for high temperature and drought, 6 out of 12 traits for post-submergence and drought showed significant interactions. In many cases where the stresses interacted, the strength of interactions varied across accessions. Hence, our results indicated a general pattern of response in most phenotypic traits to the different stresses and stress combinations, but it also indicated a natural genetic variation in the strength of these responses. This includes novel results regarding the lack of a response to drought after submergence and a decoupling between leaf number and flowering time after submergence. Overall, our study provides a rich characterization of trait responses of Arabidopsis plants to sublethal abiotic stresses at the phenotypic level and can serve as starting point for further in-depth physiological research and plant modelling efforts.

Enhanced Cd-Accumulation in Typha latifolia by Interaction with Pseudomonas rhodesiae GRC140 under Axenic Hydroponic Conditions.

The Typha genus comprises plant species extensively studied for phytoremediation processes. Recently, Pseudomonas rhodesiae GRC140, an IAA-producing bacterium, was isolated from Typha latifolia roots. This bacterium stimulates the emergence of lateral roots of Arabidopsis thaliana in the presence and absence of cadmium. However, the bacterial influence on cadmium accumulation by the plant has not been determined. Moreover, the P. rhodesiae GRC140 effect in Cd phytoextraction by T. latifolia remains poorly understood. In this work, an axenic hydroponic culture of T. latifolia was established. The plants were used to evaluate the effects of cadmium stress in axenic plants and determine the effects of P. rhodesiae GRC140 and exogenous indole acetic acid (IAA) on Cd tolerance and Cd uptake by T. latifolia. Biomass production, total chlorophyll content, root electrolyte leakage, catalase activity, total glutathione, and Cd content were determined. The results showed that Cd reduces shoot biomass and increases total glutathione and Cd content in a dose-dependent manner in root tissues. Furthermore, P. rhodesiae GRC140 increased Cd translocation to the shoots, while IAA increased the Cd accumulation in plant roots, indicating that both treatments increase Cd removal by T. latifolia plants. These results indicate that axenic plants in hydroponic systems are adequate to evaluate the Cd effects in plants and suggest that T. latifolia phytoextraction abilities could be improved by P. rhodesiae GRC140 and exogenous IAA application.

The aflatoxin inhibitors capsaicin and piperine from Capsicum chinense and Piper nigrum fruits modulate the antioxidant system in Aspergillus parasiticus.

Several aflatoxin inhibitors can modulate the antioxidant system in fungi. In this work, the effect of the ethanolic extract of Capsicum chinense and Piper nigrum fruits, capsaicin, and piperine on the expression of the aflE, aflG, aflH, aflI, aflK, aflL, aflO, aflP, and aflQ genes involved in the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway in Aspergillus parasiticus were studied by qRT-PCR analysis. As well as, the effect on the expression of fungal antioxidant genes (sod1, catA, and cat2) and enzymatic activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Results reveal that the highest (p < 0.05) radial growth inhibition (68 and 86%) and aflatoxins production inhibition (73 and 80%) was observed with capsaicin and piperine respectively, at 300 µg/mL, instead of the ethanolic extract at the same concentration. The qRT-PCR analysis showed that compounds and extracts at 300 µg/mL induced a down-regulation of aflatoxin genes and an up-regulation on the fungal antioxidant genes. CAT activity increased by 23.15, 36.65, 51.40, and 65.50%, in the presence of C. chinense and P. nigrum extract, capsaicin, and piperine exposure, respectively. While SOD activity was not significantly impacted (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the capsaicin and piperine, two antifungal and anti-aflatoxigenic compounds produce an up-regulation of antioxidant defense genes accompanied by an enhancement of catalase enzymatic activity in A. parasiticus.