Tracking alternative versions of the galactose gene network in the genus Saccharomyces and their expansion after domestication.

When Saccharomyces cerevisiae grows on mixtures of glucose and galactose, galactose utilization is repressed by glucose, and induction of the GAL gene network only occurs when glucose is exhausted. Contrary to reference GAL alleles, alternative alleles support faster growth on galactose, thus enabling distinct galactose utilization strategies maintained by balancing selection. Here, we report on new wild populations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae harboring alternative GAL versions and, for the first time, of Saccharomyces paradoxus alternative alleles. We also show that the non-functional GAL version found earlier in Saccharomyces kudriavzevii is phylogenetically related to the alternative versions, which constitutes a case of trans-specific maintenance of highly divergent alleles. Strains harboring the different GAL network variants show different levels of alleviation of glucose repression and growth proficiency on galactose. We propose that domestication involved specialization toward thriving in milk from a generalist ancestor partially adapted to galactose consumption in the plant niche.

Taxogenomic analyses of Starmerella gilliamiae f.a, sp. nov. and Starmerella monicapupoae f.a., sp. nov., two novel species isolated from plant substrates and insects.

Four yeast isolates collected from flowers from different ecosystems in Brazil, one from fruit of Nothofagus alpina in Argentina, three from flowers of Neltuma chilensis in Chile and one obtained from the proventriculus of a female bumblebee in Canada were demonstred, by analysis of the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene, to represent two novel species of the genus Starmerella. These species are described here as Starmerella gilliamiae f.a, sp. nov. (CBS 16166T; Mycobank MB 851206) and Starmerella monicapupoae f.a., sp. nov. (PYCC 8997T; Mycobank MB 851207). The results of a phylogenomic analysis using 1037 single-copy orthogroups indicated that S. gilliamiae is a member of a subclade that contains Starmerella opuntiae, Starmerella aceti and Starmerella apicola. The results also indicated that S. monicapupoae is phylogenetically related to Starmerella riodocensis. The two isolates of S. monicapupoae were obtained from flowers in Brazil and were probably vectored by insects that visit these substrates. Starmerella gilliamiae has a wide geographical distribution having been isolated in flowers from Brazil and Chile, fruit from Argentina and a bumblebee from Canada.

Phylogenomic delineation of two new species of ascomycetous yeasts, Wickerhamiella koratensis sp. nov. and Wickerhamiella limtongiae sp. nov., and proposal of two synonyms, Wickerhamiella infanticola and Wickerhamiella tropicalis.

Two novel ascomycetous yeast species of the genus Wickerhamiella are proposed based on isolates obtained in Thailand from food waste and the fruiting body of a polypore fungus, and on a combination of conventional DNA-barcode sequence analyses and whole-genome phylogenies. We focus on a particular subclade of the genus Wickerhamiella that contains species found in anthropic environments and describe Wickerhamiella limtongiae sp. nov. (DMKU-FW31-5T=PYCC 9022T=TBRC 15055T), found on food waste samples. In an adjacent clade, we describe Wickerhamiella koratensis sp. nov. (DMKU-KO16T=PYCC 8908T=TBRC 14869T), which represents the closest relative of Wickerhamiella slavikovae and was isolated from the fruiting body of Bjerkandera sp. In the subclade of W. limtongiae sp. nov., we propose that Wickerhamiella infanticola should be regarded as a synonym of Wickerhamiella sorbophila and that Wickerhamiella tropicalis should be regarded as a synonym of Wickerhamiella verensis.

The role of glycated hemoglobin in the diagnosis of prediabetes and diabetes mellitus in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To compare glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for the diagnosis of prediabetes and diabetes in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PATIENTS AND DESIGN: This cross-sectional study included 154 women aged 20-40 years with a diagnosis of PCOS, who were screened for prediabetes and diabetes by the OGTT and HbA1c. Women with diabetes, hyperprolactinemia, thyroid or adrenal diseases, and anemia and users of hormonal contraception or corticosteroids were excluded. MEASUREMENTS: Clinical, biochemical and ultrasound data were collected from the electronic medical records. The women were classified as having normal glucose metabolism, prediabetes, or diabetes based on the diagnostic tests. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated and the Kappa method was used to assess agreement between the two methods. RESULTS: According to the OGTT and HbA1c values, 79.2% and 76% of the women were within the normal range, respectively, 16.8% and 19.5% had prediabetes, and 4% and 4.5% had diabetes (p > .05). The Kappa coefficient of 0.41 (95% confidence interval: 0.24-0.58) indicated medium agreement between methods. Considering the OGTT as the gold standard, the specificity of HbA1c was 89.5% and sensitivity was 85.7% in the diagnosis of prediabetes and 100% and 66.7%, respectively, in the diagnosis of diabetes. CONCLUSION: The HbA1c, when compared to the OGTT, showed high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of prediabetes in young women with PCOS.

Association between sequelae of COVID-19 with periodontal disease and obesity: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: To assess the sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and associated factors, such as obesity and periodontitis in adults. METHODS: The study included 128 individuals aged ≥35 years with a history of a diagnosis of COVID-19 through real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), from Pelotas, Brazil. Self-report sequelae from COVID-19 were defined as the primary outcome. A questionnaire containing sociodemographic, medical, behavioral and self-report of sequelae of COVID-19 was applied. A complete periodontal clinical examination was performed. Weight and height were assessed. Uni-, bi- and multivariate analyses were performed using Poisson regression with robust variance. Additional analyses were performed considering obesity as a subgroup. RESULTS: When considering the whole sample, no statistically significant associations between sequelae of COVID-19 with periodontitis (prevalence ratio [PR]:1.14;95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 0.80-1.61) and obesity (0.93 [0.68-1.26]) were identified. In the subgroup analysis, considering only individuals with obesity, those diagnosed with generalized periodontitis had 86% higher probability to have sequelae of COVID-19 when compared to individuals with periodontal health or localized periodontitis. However, when only those without obesity were considered, no significant association with periodontal status was detected (0.82 [0.55-1.23). No significant association with periodontal status were observed when the severity of sequelae (no sequelae, 1 sequela, and >1 sequela) were considered (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals diagnosed with obesity and periodontitis have a higher PR of reporting sequelae from COVID-19 compared to individuals with only obesity.

In vitro activity of the novel Fe-cyclam complex against clinical multidrug-resistant bacterial isolates from Brazil.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of a new Fe-cyclam complex on pathogenic bacterial species, including multidrug-resistant clinical specimens. Materials & methods: The complex [Fe(cyclam)ox]PF6 (D2) was tested in cytotoxicity and MIC tests. Clinical and reference strains of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were used. Considering Staphylococcus aureus strains, the profile of antimicrobial susceptibility and time-kill kinetics for D2 was performed. An in silico analysis for D2 was also performed. Results: D2 showed broad bacterial activity, mainly against specimens of Cutibacterium acnes, S. aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. Low cytotoxicity in human cells was demonstrated. Conclusion: The tested compound proved to be a promising agent against resistant bacterial infections.

Do microbes evade domestication? - Evaluating potential ferality among diastatic Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Certain lineages of the wine, beer and bread yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have diastatic activity. They contain the chimeric gene STA1 that codes for an extracellular glucoamylase which enables the strains to degrade starch and dextrins. Beer contaminations by diastatic yeasts can be dangerous because they can cause super-attenuation due to the consumption of otherwise non-fermentable oligosaccharides, gushing and off-flavours. Given that diastatic yeasts can be used for beer fermentation it is important to understand the relationship between production and contaminant strains, their natural reservoirs and entry routes into the brewery. Here, we analyze real cases of contamination in a Portuguese craft brewery over a period of 18 months. By analyzing with whole genome sequencing several contaminants, we show that recurrent contaminations by diastatic yeasts are caused by environmental strains. Moreover, some beer contaminants were closely related to diastatic environmental strains isolated in Botswana. We observed the widespread presence of domestication signatures in diastatic strains. Moreover, the combined phylogeny of STA1 and its ancestor, SGA1, suggested a single STA1 origin, as ancient as the entire lineage of diastatic yeasts. Together, our results suggest that diastatic yeasts isolated in natural settings could be escaping from domestication settings and becoming feral.

Association between sickle cell disease and periodontal disease: A systematic review.

Previous studies have evaluated the association between sickle cell disease (SCD) and periodontal disease; however, their effect on the periodontal parameters remains unclear. This systematic review aimed to investigate whether individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) increase the risks of periodontal disease more than those without. For the selection of eligible studies, an electronic search was conducted in the MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases. The meta-analysis was based on the inversion of variance using the mean difference (MD) of the continuous outcomes. The quality assessment of included studies was performed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Tools. In total, 13 studies and 2381 participants were included in the qualitative analysis, while 9 studies were considered for the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis indicated that patients with SCD present similar Plaque Index, Clinical Attachment Level, Bleeding on Probing, and Probing Depth when compared to healthy patients (p > .05). However, the Gingival Index was higher for patients with SCD (p = .0002; MD: 0.20). Compared to healthy patients, patients with SCD did not have an increase in periodontal parameters, except for the gingival index. However, further well-designed studies are recommended to reassess the association between SCD and periodontal diseases.

A glimpse at an early stage of microbe domestication revealed in the variable genome of Torulaspora delbrueckii, an emergent industrial yeast.

Microbe domestication has a major applied relevance but is still poorly understood from an evolutionary perspective. The yeast Torulaspora delbrueckii is gaining importance for biotechnology but little is known about its population structure, variation in gene content or possible domestication routes. Here, we show that T. delbrueckii is composed of five major clades. Among the three European clades, a lineage associated with the wild arboreal niche is sister to the two other lineages that are linked to anthropic environments, one to wine fermentations and the other to diverse sources including dairy products and bread dough (Mix-Anthropic clade). Using 64 genomes we assembled the pangenome and the variable genome of T. delbrueckii. A comparison with Saccharomyces cerevisiae indicated that the weight of the variable genome in the pangenome of T. delbrueckii is considerably smaller. An association of gene content and ecology supported the hypothesis that the Mix-Anthropic clade has the most specialized genome and indicated that some of the exclusive genes were implicated in galactose and maltose utilization. More detailed analyses traced the acquisition of a cluster of GAL genes in strains associated with dairy products and the expansion and functional diversification of MAL genes in strains isolated from bread dough. In contrast to S. cerevisiae, domestication in T. delbrueckii is not primarily driven by alcoholic fermentation but rather by adaptation to dairy and bread-production niches. This study expands our views on the processes of microbe domestication and on the trajectories leading to adaptation to anthropic niches.

Assessment of fetal heart aortic and pulmonary valve annulus area by three-dimensional ultrasonography: reference curves and applicability in congenital heart diseases.

OBJECTIVES: To determine reference curves for fetal aortic and pulmonary valve annulus area by three-dimensional ultrasonography using the spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) in the rendering mode, and to ascertain its applicability in congenital heart disease (CHD). METHODS: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of 328 normal fetuses and 42 fetuses with CHD between 20 and 33 weeks 6 days of gestation. The outflow plane view of the great vessels was used to measure the areas of the valvar annuli, and the measurements were performed in systole. A linear regression model adjusted according to the determination coefficient (R2) was utilized to construct the reference intervals. The concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) was used to calculate the reproducibility of the mitral and tricuspid valve areas. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of the aortic and pulmonary valve annulus areas ranged from 6.6 ± 1.2 to 32.9 ± 1.1 mm2 and 10.7 ± 1.3 to 40.3 ± 1.2 mm2, respectively. We observed a linear relationship and strong positive correlation between the area of the aortic and pulmonary valve annuli with r=0.97 and 0.96, respectively. Good intra (CCC=0.99) and interobserver agreement (CCC=0.98) was observed for the measurement of the aortic valve annulus area. A good intra (CCC=0.99) and interobserver (CCC=0.97) agreement was also observed for the measurement of the pulmonary valve annulus area. The mean ± SD of the difference of the areas of the aortic and pulmonary valve annuli between the normal fetuses and those with CHD were -1.801 ± 1.429 mm2 (p=0.208) and -1.033 ± 1.467 mm2 (p<0.0001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The reference curves for the areas of the aortic and pulmonary valve annuli of fetal hearts were determined, and showed good inter and intraobserver reproducibility. The constructed reference curves showed applicability in different types of CHD.

Factors associated with poor academic performance among undergraduate dental students: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the factors associated with poor academic performance among undergraduate dental students enrolled at a public university in Brazil. METHODS: A semi-structured questionnaire addressing the exploratory variables of interest (sociodemographic and economic characteristics, use of medications and drugs, dentistry as the first choice of undergraduate course, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) was hosted on Google Forms and shared with all dental students at the Federal University of Pelotas. Academic performance was evaluated based on institutional records, access to which the participants had previously authorized; students with good (average ≥7.0 points) or poor academic performance (average <7.0 points) were considered. Adjusted logistic regressions were performed to verify the association between academic performance and the exploratory variables (p < 0.05). RESULTS: In total, 244 students were included, of whom 18.8% had poor academic performance. Increased age (OR: 1.34; 95%CI: 1.18-1.52), non-white skin color (OR: 1.34; 95%CI: 1.18-1.52), the use of medications for anxiety and depression (OR: 1.34; 95%CI: 1.18-1.52), and poor sleep quality (OR: 1.34; 95%CI: 1.18-1.52) were factors associated with poor academic performance. CONCLUSION: A low prevalence of poor academic performance was observed. Non-white skin color, increased age, use of anxiolytics or antidepressants, and poor or disturbed sleep may reduce dental students' academic performance.

Fetal heart foramen ovale area by three-dimensional ultrasound using stic in the rendering mode: reference range and applicability in congenital heart diseases.

To determine reference values for the foramen ovale (FO) area of fetal hearts by three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound using spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) method in the rendering mode, as well as applicability in fetuses with congenital heart disease (CHD). A retrospective and prospective study was performed of 242 normal fetuses and 36 fetuses with CHD between 20 and 33 + 6 weeks of gestation. The FO area was determined in the four-chamber view with manual delineation. To determine the reference curve of the FO area as a function of gestational age (GA), a linear regression model was utilized with an adjusted coefficient of determination (R2). For intra- and interobserver reproducibility calculations, the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) was used. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of the FO measurement area was 21.2 ± 1.8 and 48.1 ± 1.9 mm2 at 20 and 33 weeks' gestation, respectively. A linear correlation was observed between the FO area and GA (1.924*GA - 17.95; R2 = 0.91). Good intra- (CCC = 0.97) and interobserver (CCC = 0.94) agreement was observed for the FO area measurement. The mean difference in FO area between normal and CHD fetuses was - 14.4 mm2 (p < 0.001). Reference values for the FO area of fetal hearts were determined by 3D ultrasound using STIC in the rendering mode. This method showed good intra- and interobserver reproducibility and could be used to assess different CHD types.

Entrevista com Sonia Guajajara: o movimento indígena frente à pandemia da COVID-19 / Interview with Sonia Guajajara: the Indigenous movement in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic

Resumo Nesta entrevista, Sonia Guajajara, coordenadora executiva da Articulação dos Povos Indígenas do Brasil (APIB), aborda as análises e estratégias desenvolvidas pelo movimento indígena para o enfrentamento da pandemia da COVID-19. Entre os pontos destacados, estão as estratégias de comunicação, vigilância e monitoramento da COVID-19, o apoio aos territórios indígenas, as iniciativas no Legislativo e no Judiciário, a incidência internacional e a articulação com a academia. Torna-se evidente o importante protagonismo do movimento indígena nas ações de contenção da emergência sanitária e na defesa dos direitos dos povos indígenas, em uma conjuntura de embate com o governo federal e de retrocessos nas políticas públicas.

Abstract In this interview, Sonia Guajajara, the executive coordinator of the Brazil's Indigenous Peoples Articulation (APIB), addresses the analyzis and strategies developed by the Indigenous movement to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other topics, she highlights some of the movement's strategies concerning communication, surveillance, and the monitoring of COVID-19, as well as its actions to support Indigenous territories, the initiatives carried out in the Legislative and Judiciary realms, the movement's international incidence, and its articulation with academia. Sonia shows the important role played by the Indigenous movement to control the health emergency and to defend the rights of the Indigenous peoples, in the framework of intense conflicts with the federal government and setbacks in public policies.

Interview with Sonia Guajajara: the Indigenous movement in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. / Entrevista com Sonia Guajajara: o movimento indígena frente à pandemia da COVID-19.

In this interview, Sonia Guajajara, the executive coordinator of the Brazil's Indigenous Peoples Articulation (APIB), addresses the analyzis and strategies developed by the Indigenous movement to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other topics, she highlights some of the movement's strategies concerning communication, surveillance, and the monitoring of COVID-19, as well as its actions to support Indigenous territories, the initiatives carried out in the Legislative and Judiciary realms, the movement's international incidence, and its articulation with academia. Sonia shows the important role played by the Indigenous movement to control the health emergency and to defend the rights of the Indigenous peoples, in the framework of intense conflicts with the federal government and setbacks in public policies.

Nesta entrevista, Sonia Guajajara, coordenadora executiva da Articulação dos Povos Indígenas do Brasil (APIB), aborda as análises e estratégias desenvolvidas pelo movimento indígena para o enfrentamento da pandemia da COVID-19. Entre os pontos destacados, estão as estratégias de comunicação, vigilância e monitoramento da COVID-19, o apoio aos territórios indígenas, as iniciativas no Legislativo e no Judiciário, a incidência internacional e a articulação com a academia. Torna-se evidente o importante protagonismo do movimento indígena nas ações de contenção da emergência sanitária e na defesa dos direitos dos povos indígenas, em uma conjuntura de embate com o governo federal e de retrocessos nas políticas públicas.

REPERCUSSIONS OF BARIATRIC SURGERY ON METABOLIC PARAMETERS: EXPERIENCE OF 15-YEAR FOLLOW-UP IN A HOSPITAL IN MACEIÓ, BRAZIL. / REPERCUSSÕES DA CIRURGIA BARIÁTRICA SOBRE PARÂMETROS METABÓLICOS. EXPERIÊNCIA DE 15 ANOS EM HOSPITAL DE MACEIÓ - BRASIL.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is a disease characterized by an excessive accumulation of body fat, which is harmful to health, and it has grown significantly in the past years in the majority of countries. The surgery should be recommended to those patients with obesity who did not succeed in conservative clinical therapy after a rigorous analysis by a multidisciplinary team. The aim of this study was to compare metabolic results, weight loss, and parameters associated with obesity in the preoperative and postoperative periods of patients treated with bariatric surgery. METHODS: This was a retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional, and quantitative study through consultation medical records. Data were collected from May to September 2020 from individuals treated with bariatric surgery in a period of 15 years (from 2003 to 2018). A comparative and descriptive statistical analysis of anthropometric, metabolic, biochemical, and associated morbidities was performed. RESULTS: The majority of patients were female (68.50%). In both sexes, the highest prevalence was found in the age group of 30-39 years and more than half had grade III obesity. The surgical technique used was gastroplasty with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. After 4 months, there was a significant reduction in the lipid profile, anthropometric parameters, and liver enzymes in both sexes, which remained decreasing till the end of the first year, with marked improvement in the metabolic syndrome (MS). CONCLUSIONS: The positive impact resulted from gastroplasty in terms of weight loss, reduction of body mass index, and lipid profile is quite relevant after 4 months and it is maintained until 1 year after the procedure, showing benefits in reducing the risk factors of the MS.

OBJETIVO: A obesidade é caracterizada pelo acúmulo excessivo de gordura corporal prejudicial à saúde e nos últimos anos tem crescido significativamente na maioria dos países. A cirurgia bariátrica deverá ser recomendada para pacientes obesos que não obtiveram êxito no tratamento clínico e após análise da equipe multiprofissional. comparar os resultados metabólicos, perda ponderal e parâmetros associados à obesidade no pré e pós-operatório dos pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica. MÉTODOS: estudo retrospectivo, descritivo, transversal, de abordagem quantitativa através da consulta a prontuários. Os dados foram coletados no período de maio a setembro de 2020, de indivíduos submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica no período de 15 anos (2003 a 2018). Foi realizada análise estatística comparativa e descritiva das variáveis antropométricas, metabólicas, bioquímicas e morbidades associadas. RESULTADOS: a maioria era do sexo feminino (68,50%). Em ambos os sexos a maior prevalência se encontravam na faixa etária de 30 a 39 anos e mais da metade tinha obesidade grau III. A técnica cirúrgica utilizada foi o gastroplastia em Y de Roux. Após 4 meses houve uma redução significativa do perfil lipídico, dos parâmetros antropométricos e enzimas hepáticas em ambos os sexos, os quais permaneceram em declínio no final do primeiro ano, com melhora acentuada da síndrome metabólica. CONCLUSÕES: O impacto positivo determinado pela gastroplastia na perda de peso, na redução do IMC e perfil lipídico é bastante relevante já após quatro meses, e se mantém após um ano da realização do procedimento, demonstrando benefícios na redução dos fatores de risco da síndrome metabólica.

Vozes indígenas na saúde: trajetórias, memórias e protagonismos / Indigenous voices in health: trajectories, memories and protagonisms

Analisa histórias sobre a saúde indígena por meio de narrativas dos próprios indígenas que apresentam a temática da saúde a partir de seis olhares, memórias e experiências. Traz relatos de conquistas, retrocessos e desafios nas lutas dos movimento e na implementação da saúd einídgena, considerando as realidades específicas e diferenciadas vividas por esses povos.

Phaffia brasiliana sp. nov., a yeast species isolated from soil in a Cerrado-Atlantic Rain Forest ecotone site in Brazil.

During studies of yeasts associated with soil in a Cerrado-Atlantic Rain Forest ecotone site in Brazil, three orange-pigmented yeast strains were isolated from samples collected in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Molecular analyses combining the 26S rRNA gene (D1/D2 domains) and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences as well as whole-genome sequence data showed that these strains could not be ascribed to any known species in the basidiomycetous genus Phaffia, and thus they are considered to represent a novel species for which the name Phaffia brasiliana sp. nov. is proposed. The holotype is CBS 16121T and the MycoBank number is MB 839315. The occurrence of P. brasiliana in a tropical region is unique for the genus, since all other species occur in temperate regions. Two factors appear to contribute to the distribution of the novel taxon: first, the region where it was found has relatively moderate temperature ranges and, second, an adaptation to grow or withstand temperatures higher than those of the other species in the genus seems to be in place.

Global distribution of IRC7 alleles in Saccharomyces cerevisiae populations: a genomic and phenotypic survey within the wine clade.

The adaptation to the different biotic and abiotic factors of wine fermentation has led to the accumulation of numerous genomic hallmarks in Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine strains. IRC7, a gene encoding a cysteine-S-ß-lyase enzyme related volatile thiols production in wines, has two alleles: a full-length allele (IRC7F ) and a mutated one (IRC7S ), harbouring a 38 bp-deletion. Interestingly, IRC7S -encoding a less active enzyme - appears widespread amongst wine populations. Studying the global distribution of the IRC7S allele in different yeast lineages, we confirmed its high prevalence in the Wine clade and demonstrated a minority presence in other domesticated clades (Wine-PDM, Beer and Bread) while it is completely missing in wild clades. Here, we show that IRC7S -homozygous (HS) strains exhibited both fitness and competitive advantages compared with IRC7F -homozygous (HF) strains. There are some pieces of evidence of the direct contribution of the IRC7S allele to the outstanding behaviour of HS strains (i.e., improved response to oxidative stress conditions and higher tolerance to high copper levels); however, we also identified a set of sequence variants with significant co-occurrence patterns with the IRC7S allele, which can be co-contributing to the fitness and competitive advantages of HS strains in wine fermentations.

Three-dimensional ultrasound evaluation of the pelvic floor in postmenopausal women using hormone therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound characteristics of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) in two groups of postmenopausal women: users and nonusers of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). STUDY DESIGN: Observational, cross-sectional cohort study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: In this study 226 sexually active heterosexual women, aged 45-60 years with amenorrhea >12 months and without clinical pelvic floor disorders or urinary incontinence were included. Women using MHT ≥ 6 months were classified as systemic users. PFM strength was assessed by digital vaginal palpation and scored on the Modified Oxford Scale. Biometry of the PFM was performed by 3D transperineal ultrasound for evaluation of total urogenital hiatus area, transverse and anteroposterior diameters, and levator ani muscle thickness. RESULTS: The participants were divided into users (n = 78) and nonusers (n = 148) of MHT. There were no differences in clinical or anthropometric parameters between groups. The mean age was 55 years and the time since menopause was six years in both groups. The mean duration of MHT use was 43.4 ± 33.3 months. Users of MHT had greater levator ani muscle thickness (p = 0.001) and higher PFM strength (p = 0.029) than nonusers. Risk analysis adjusted for age, time since menopause, BMI, parity, and type of delivery showed an association of MHT use with greater levator ani muscle thickness (OR = 2.69; 95% CI 1.42-5.11, p = 0.029), and higher PFM strength (OR = 1.78; 95% CI1.01-3.29, p = 0.046). There was a weak positive correlation between levator ani muscle thickness and duration of MHT use (r = 0.25, p = 0.0002) and PFM strength (r = 0.12, p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Postmenopausal women using MHT had a greater levator ani muscle thickness associated with higher PFM strength than nonusers.