Mass Spectral Analyses of Salmonella Myovirus SPN3US Reveal Conserved and Divergent Themes in Proteolytic Maturation of Large Icosahedral Capsids.

Salmonella myovirus SPN3US has a T = 27 capsid composed of >50 different gene products, including many that are packaged along with the 240 kb genome and ejected into the host cell. Recently, we showed that an essential phage-encoded prohead protease gp245 is responsible for cleavage of proteins during SPN3US head assembly. This proteolytic maturation step induces major changes in precursor head particles, enabling them to expand and undergo genome packaging. To comprehensively define the composition of the mature SPN3US head and elucidate how it is modified by proteolysis during assembly, we conducted tandem mass spectrometry analysis of purified virions and tailless heads. Fourteen protease cleavage sites were identified in nine proteins, including eight sites not previously identified in head proteins in vivo. Among these was the maturation cleavage site of gp245 which was identical to the autocleavage site we had previously identified in purified recombinant gp245. Our findings underscore the value of employing multiple mass spectrometry-based experimental strategies as a way to enhance the detection of head protein cleavage sites in tailed phages. In addition, our results have identified a conserved set of head proteins in related giant phages that are similarly cleaved by their respective prohead proteases, suggesting that these proteins have important roles in governing the formation and function of large icosahedral capsids.

Southwest Harvest for Health: Adapting a mentored vegetable gardening intervention for cancer survivors in the southwest.

Few diet and physical activity evidence-based interventions have been routinely used in community settings to achieve population health outcomes. Adapting interventions to fit the implementation context is important to achieve the desired results. Harvest for Health is a home-based vegetable gardening intervention that pairs cancer survivors with certified Master Gardeners from the Cooperative Extension Service with the ultimate goal of increasing vegetable consumption and physical activity, and improving physical functioning and health-related quality-of-life. Harvest for Health has potential for widespread dissemination since Master Gardener Programs exist throughout the United States. However, state- and population-specific adaptations may be needed to improve intervention adoption by other Master Gardener Programs. Our primary objective was to adapt this evidence-informed intervention that was initially incepted in Alabama, for the drastically different climate and growing conditions of New Mexico using a recommended adaptation framework. Our secondary objective was to develop a study protocol to support a pilot test of the adapted intervention, Southwest Harvest for Health. The adaptation phase is a critical first step towards widespread dissemination, implementation, and scale-out of an evidence-based intervention. This paper describes the adaptation process and outcomes, and the resulting protocol for the ongoing pilot study that is currently following 30 cancer survivors and their paired Extension Master Gardener mentors.

Acute pancreatitis related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Disclaimer.

Regarding our article "Daño pancreático: pancreatitis aguda en pacientes COVID-19", we would like to clarify that the case previously described met the diagnostic criteria for acute pancreatitis, defined in the Atlanta classification and mentioned in several guidelines.

Acute pancreatitis in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Beyond respiratory distress.

We read with great interest the two letters published in November regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection and acute pancreatitis (AP). We report our only case of AP related to such infection.

Fístula colocutánea tras la colocación de una sonda de gastrostomía endoscópica percutánea / No disponible

No disponible

Preclinical pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of a natural cardioprotective agent astragaloside IV in rats and dogs.

Astragaloside IV, a natural product purified from the Chinese medical herb Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bge, is now being developed as a cardioprotective agent for treating cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the present study was to examine in vivo pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution in both rats and dogs by using an established high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry quantitative detection method. Astragaloside IV showed moderate to fast elimination; the elimination half-life of astragaloside IV was 98.1, 67.2 and 71.8 min in male rats, and 34.0, 66.9 and 131.6 min in female rats at doses of 0.75, 1.5 and 3.0 mg/kg, respectively. There was no significant difference in systemic clearance at three dose levels, suggesting that astragaloside IV may have linear pharmacokinetic characteristics in rats within the dose ranges tested. The highest concentration of astragaloside IV was detected in the lung and liver. However, limited distribution to the brain, indicates that astragaloside IV may have difficulty penetrating the blood brain barrier. In addition, only about 50% of the parent astragaloside IV was recovered in both urine and feces. These results indicate that there was about 83% astragaloside IV binding to plasma protein and that the binding to the plasma is linear at the concentration range of 250-1000 ng/ml. As in rats, astragaloside IV may have linear pharmacokinetic characteristics in dogs within the dose ranges tested. Astragaloside IV was slowly cleared via hepatic clearance with a systemic clearance (CL) of about 0.004 l/kg/min. Based on the favorable pharmacokinetic properties in both rats and dogs, astragaloside IV warrants further investigation for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Diagnóstico sociestomatológico del municipio de Izalco y cantón San José la Majada, del departamento de Sonsonate, de la república de El Salvador, durante el período de abril a Septiembre / Sociestomatological diagnosis of the municipality of Izalco and San José la Majada canton, of the department of Sonsonate, of the republic of El Salvador, during the period from April to September

En El Salvador, a través de los años se ha mantenido un sistema de salud que plantea varios cuestionamientos, dirigidos a la cobertura y tipo de atención brindada por el Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, organismo que constitucionalmente tiene a cargo la salud de la población; y por otra parte, a la poca participación de organismos no gubernamentales, instituciones de beneficencia y profesionales de clínicas privadas, en la solución de la problemática de salud bucal de la sociedad salvadoreña. El presente estudio está orientado a describir la situación socioestomatológica de la población, estudiando la participación del Ministerio de Salud Pública, organismos no gubernamentales, instituciones de beneficencia y clínicas privadas, en lo concerniente a la salud bucal de la población, en el Departamento de Sonsonate; y específicamente se determinará esta situación en el Municipio de Izalco y el Cantón San José La Majada, donde estudiantes en servicio social de la Facultad de Odontología de La Universidad de El Salvador estuvieron asignados. El trabajo está estructurado en cuatro partes; en el primer capítulo, se determinan los elementos del diagnóstico, es decir aquellos componentes importantes que fueron tomados en cuenta para la elaboración del trabajo; así como también se fijan las metas y justificantes que llevó a la realización de la investigación. En el segundo capítulo, se establece un marco de referencia que plantea el estado socioestomatológico del Departamento; y específicamente en los lugares donde estuvieron asignados los investigadores, tomando en cuenta diferentes factores que influyen en la situación de ésta, que abarca: lo social, económico, político y ecológico; particularmente relacionando y analizando el estado de salud bucal.7En un tercer capítulo, se describen los aspectos metodológicos que dan forma a la investigación, que comprende aspectos de población, métodos, técnicas e instrumentos, que se utilizaron para la recolección de los datos obtenidos. Y finalmente, en el cuarto capítulo, se exponen los resultados obtenidos en la investigación llevada a cabo a partir del mes de Abril a Septiembre del presente año, tanto en los lugares de trabajo y de manera general en el Departamento, realizando un análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo de la información obtenida, proporcionando conclusiones y recomendaciones que ayuden a definir la realidad socioestomatológica y brindar alternativas para modificarla. La investigación diagnóstica realizada es entonces un documento importante, en cuanto busca tomar conciencia de la problemática socioestomatológica de la población salvadoreña, recopilando información relacionada con la salud bucal, que como se ha determinado con anterioridad no ha tenido la atención pertinente para transformar una Situación problemática, que se mantiene a través del tiempo, buscándose de esta forma incidir en la superación de los problemas de salud bucal de la comunidad.

In El Salvador, over the years a health system has been maintained that raises various questions, directed at the coverage and type of care provided by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, the body that is constitutionally in charge of the health of the population; and on the other hand, the little participation of non-governmental organizations, charities and professionals from private clinics, in solving the problem of oral health in Salvadoran society. The present study is aimed at describing the socio-stomatological situation of the population, studying the participation of the Ministry of Public Health, non-governmental organizations, charities and private clinics, regarding the oral health of the population, in the Department of Sonsonate ; and specifically this situation will be determined in the Municipality of Izalco and the Canton of San José La Majada, where students in social service from the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of El Salvador were assigned. The work is structured in four parts; In the first chapter, the elements of the diagnosis are determined, that is, those important components that were taken into account for the preparation of the work; as well as the goals and supporting documents that led to the investigation are set. In the second chapter, a frame of reference is established that raises the socio-stomatological state of the Department; and specifically in the places where the researchers were assigned, taking into account different factors that influence its situation, which includes: the social, economic, political and ecological; particularly relating and analyzing the state of oral health. In a third chapter, the methodological aspects that shape the research are described, which includes population aspects, methods, techniques and instruments, which were used to collect the data obtained. And finally, in the fourth chapter, the results obtained in the research carried out from April to September of this year are exposed, both in the workplace and in general in the Department, carrying out a quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis of the information obtained, providing conclusions and recommendations that help define the socio-stomatological reality and provide alternatives to modify it. The diagnostic research carried out is therefore an important document, insofar as it seeks to become aware of the socio-stomatological problems of the Salvadoran population, collecting information related to oral health, which, as previously determined, has not had the relevant attention to transform a problematic situation , which is maintained over time, seeking in this way to influence the overcoming of oral health problems in the community.

Leucoplasia bucal en trabajadores de la industria tabacalera / Oral leukoplakia in tobacco industry workers

Se realiza un estudio entre un grupo de trabajadores de la industria tabacalera con el propósito de conocer el comportamiento de las mucosas frente a las lesiones precancerosas de la cavidad bucal, correlacionando la edad, sexo y particularidades inherentes al hábito de fumar. Se obtuvo una muestra de 111 individuos entre los 20 y 68 años de edad que laboran en las fábricas de tabado "Rolando Valdivia" y "El Surco" de la provincia de Camaguey, Cuba. Los resultados de los exámenes bucales muestran que el 27.93 por ciento de las personas examinadas presenta leucoplasia bucal y se observa la mayor frecuencia en hombres mayores de 40 años