A Study of Resistome in Mexican Chili Powder as a Public Health Risk Factor.

Chili powder is an important condiment around the world. However, according to various reports, the presence of pathogenic microorganisms could present a public health risk factor during its consumption. Therefore, microbiological quality assessment is required to understand key microbial functional traits, such as antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). In this study, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and bioinformatics analysis were used to characterize the comprehensive profiles of the bacterial community and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in 15 chili powder samples from different regions of Mexico. The initial bacterial load showed aerobic mesophilic bacteria (AMB) ranging between 6 × 103 and 7 × 108 CFU/g, sporulated mesophilic bacteria (SMB) from 4.3 × 103 to 2 × 109 CFU/g, and enterobacteria (En) from <100 to 2.3 × 106 CFU/g. The most representative families in the samples were Bacillaceae and Enterobacteriaceae, in which 18 potential pathogen-associated species were detected. In total, the resistome profile in the chili powder contained 68 unique genes, which conferred antibiotic resistance distributed in 13 different classes. Among the main classes of antibiotic resistance genes with a high abundance in almost all the samples were those related to multidrug, tetracycline, beta-lactam, aminoglycoside, and phenicol resistance. Our findings reveal the utility of mNGS in elucidating microbiological quality in chili powder to reduce the public health risks and the spread of potential pathogens with antibiotic resistance mechanisms.

Kosakonia cowanii Ch1 Isolated from Mexican Chili Powder Reveals Growth Inhibition of Phytopathogenic Fungi.

Kosakonia cowanii strain Ch1 was isolated from Mexican chili powder, and the genome was sequenced. The genome was 4,765,544 bp in length, with an average G + C content of 56.22%, and a plasmid (pCh1) of 128,063 bp with an average G + C content of 52.50%. A phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relation with pathogenic strains; nevertheless, some virulence-related genes were absent, and this genetic characteristic may explain the fact that K. cowanii Ch1 behaved as a non-pathogenic strain when infection assays were performed on the leaves and fruits of Capsicum annuum L. Surprisingly, we observed that this bacterial strain had the ability to spread throughout serrano pepper seeds. Furthermore, K. cowanii Ch1 was evaluated for the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) against fungal pathogens, and the results showed that Alternaria alternata and Sclerotium rolfsii were inhibited in a radial mycelial growth assay by a mean rate of 70% and 64%, while Fusarium oxysporum was inhibited by only approximately 10%. Based on the headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with the gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS), 67 potential VOCs were identified during the fermentation of K. cowanii Ch1 in TSA medium. From these VOCs, nine main compounds were identified based on relative peak area: dodecanoic acid; 3-hydroxy ethanol; 1-butanol-3-methyl; acetaldehyde; butanoic acid, butyl ester; cyclodecane; 2-butanone, 3-hydroxy; disulfide, dimethyl and pyrazine-2,5-dimethyl. Our findings show the potential of K. cowanii Ch1 for the biocontrol of fungal pathogens through VOCs production and reveal additional abilities and metabolic features as beneficial bacterial specie.

Experiencias ante el aborto en estudiantes universitarias de Querétaro, México / Abortion experiences in university students

INTRODUCCIÓN. El aborto, practicado de manera clandestina, puede implicar una serie de riesgos para la madre, sobre todo si esta es menor de edad o lo realiza sin el debido monitoreo médico. OBJETIVO. Describir las experiencias de jóvenes universitarias ante el aborto, mediante la realización de entrevistas a profundidad, con la finalidad de comprender el contexto del fenómeno. METODOLOGÍA. Estudio cualitativo, fenomenológico. Se entrevistaron a 3 estudiantes, elegidas por conveniencia, que vivieron un aborto de manera autoinducida. La pregunta generadora se sometió a validación por expertos y a estudio exploratorio. Las participantes aceptaron que sus entrevistas se grabaran, previo consentimiento informado. RESULTADOS. Se obtuvieron tres categorías de análisis. 1) ¿cómo me di cuenta que estaba embarazada?; las tres participantes no fueron plenamente conscientes del hecho, sino que la sintomatología propia del estado las "alertó". 2) ¿Cómo fue el proceso para la pérdida del feto? dos de las jóvenes utilizaron medicamentos administrados por distintas vías: uno oral y otro vaginal, la tercera participante utilizó té de ruda. 3) ¿qué pasó después? A pesar de que todas deseaban que el hecho quedara oculto a sus familias, sólo una lo logró. CONCLUSIÓN. Todas las jóvenes indicaron que esta experiencia las ha marcado. Sus comentarios denotan que no han superado el fenómeno a pesar de que ya tienen varios años de haberlo vivido. Señalan que no se arrepienten de su decisión, más que procurarán que no se repita la experiencia.

INTRODUCTION. Abortion, performed clandestinely, presents a series of risks for the mother, especially if she is underage or if she performs the procedure without proper medical supervision. OBJECTIVE. To describe the abortion experiences of university women through in-depth interviews, and thereby better understand the context of the phenomenon. METHODOLOGY. Qualitative, phenomenological study. 3 university students who lived through the experience of a self-induced abortion were interviewed, and the interview questions were validated by experts and an exploratory study. The participants agreed to have their interviews recorded by providing prior informed consent. RESULTS. There were three categories of analysis: 1) ¿How did I find out I was pregnant? The three participants were not fully conscious of the fact, but the symptoms of their state "alerted" them. 2) ¿What was the process for aborting the fetus? The women had different processes; two of them used medications administered by different routes: one oral and one vaginal. The third participant used tea made from the rue plant. 3) ¿What happened next? Even though they all wanted to hide the abortion from their families, only one succeeded. CONCLUSION. All three women interviewed indicated that this experience marked them. Their comments suggest that they haven't overcome the experience even though it happened several years ago. While they do not regret their decision, they are committed to ensuring that it will never happen again.

Actitudes hacia la sexualidad en adolescentes de bachillerato de la ciudad de Querétaro, México / Attitudes toward sexuality among high school adolescents in Queretaro city, Mexico

INTRODUCCIÓN. La sexualidad forma parte de cada etapa de la vida del ser humano, no obstante, en la adolescencia existe una pérdida de orientación, presión social por parte de sus iguales e información no precisa, lo que conduce a un inicio temprano de la vida sexual y consecuencias no deseadas. OBJETIVO. Determinar la actitud en adolescentes de bachillerato, hacia la sexualidad. METODOLOGÍA. Estudio transversal, descriptivo, realizado en el Colegio de Bachilleres del Estado de Querétaro, Plantel 1. El instrumento se denomina "Actitudes hacia el sexo", diseñado y validado en población queretana en 2017. RESULTADOS. Se aplicaron 264 instrumentos en jóvenes con edades de 15 a 16 años. Con respecto a las actitudes hacia el sexo, 32,6% no saben por qué tendrían sexo. Indican que les acarrearía mala reputación o pérdida de respeto hacia su persona si tuvieran relaciones sexuales, el 19,7% y 18,9%, respectivamente. Podrían sentirse culpables después de hacer el acto sexual el 22,3%. Tienen curiosidad de vivir la experiencia el 23,5%. Han iniciado con la práctica de relaciones sexuales el 38,6% aproximadamente a los 15 años, la mayoría. 6,1% ha tenido relaciones sin uso de un método de barrera y bajo el efecto del alcohol. CONCLUSIONES. La información obtenida refleja la necesidad de trabajar con los estudiantes en valores, inteligencia emocional, violencia, perspectivas de género, que favorezcan una visión clara de la sexualidad y una apropiada toma de decisiones.

INTRODUCTION. Sexuality is part of every stage of human life, however in adolescence the loss of orientation, social pressure from peers, and inaccurate information often leads to an early onset of sexual life and unwanted consequences. OBJECTIVE. To determine the attitude of high school adolescents towards sexuality. METHODOLOGY. Cross-sectional, descriptive study, conducted at High School Colegio de Bachilleres del Estado de Querétaro, Plantel 1. An instrument called "Attitudes towards sex" was designed and validated in the Queretano population in 2017. RESULTS. 264 instruments were administered to adolescents aged 15 to 16 years. With respect to attitudes towards sex, 32.6% did not know why they tend to have sex. Respondents were concerned that sex could result in a bad reputation (19.7%) or loss of their own self-respect (18.9%). Students could also feel guilty after sex (22.3%). 23.5% had curiosity about have sex. 28.6% of the teenagers surveyed started their sexual life at an average of 15 years; most of them have had sex without the use of a condom and under the influence of alcohol. CONCLUSIONS. The information obtained shows the necessity to work with the values, emotional intelligence, violence, and gender perspectives of adolescent students to help them develop a better perspective about sexuality and make appropriate decisions.

Insights into the Bacterial Diversity and Detection of Opportunistic Pathogens in Mexican Chili Powder.

Chili powder is the most frequently consumed spice in Mexican diets. Thus, the dissemination of microorganisms associated with chili powder derived from Capsicum annuum L. is significant during microbial quality analysis, with special attention on detection of potential pathogens. The results presented here describe the initial characterization of bacterial community structure in commercial chili powder samples. Our results demonstrate that, within the domain Bacteria, the most abundant family was Bacillaceae, with a relative abundance of 99% in 71.4% of chili powder samples, while 28.6% of samples showed an average relative abundance of 60% for the Enterobacteriaceae family. Bacterial load for aerobic mesophilic bacteria (AMB) ranged from 104 to 106 cfu/g, while for sporulated mesophilic bacteria (SMB), the count ranged from 102 to 105 cfu/g. Bacillus cereus sensu lato (s.l.) was observed at ca. ˂600 cfu/g, while the count for Enterobacteriaceae ranged from 103 to 106 cfu/g, Escherichia coli and Salmonella were not detected. Fungal and yeast counts ranged from 102 to 105 cfu/g. Further analysis of the opportunistic pathogens isolated, such as B. cereus s.l. and Kosakonia cowanii, using antibiotic-resistance profiles and toxinogenic characteristics, revealed the presence of extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) and Metallo-ß-lactamases (MBLs) in these organisms. These results extend our knowledge of bacterial diversity and the presence of opportunistic pathogens associated with Mexican chili powder and highlight the potential health risks posed by its use through the spread of antibiotic-resistance and the production of various toxins. Our findings may be useful in developing procedures for microbial control during chili powder production.