Whole Genome Sequencing for Studying Helicobacter pylori Antimicrobial Resistance.

Antibiotic resistance (AMR) is an alarming concern worldwide and Helicobacter pylori, one of the most prevalent bacteria, is not an exception. With antibiotics being its primary therapy, increasing resistance leads to a higher rate of treatment failure. Understanding the genomic mechanisms of resistance to clarithromycin, levofloxacin, metronidazole, amoxicillin, tetracycline, and rifampicin through next-generation sequencing-based molecular tools, such as whole genome sequencing (WGS), can be of great value, not only to direct a patient's treatment, but also to establish and optimize treatment guidelines according to the local epidemiology and to avoid the use of inappropriate antibiotics. WGS approaches allow us to gain insight into the genomic determinants involved in AMR. To this end, different pipelines and platforms are continuously being developed. In this study, we take a more detailed view of the use and progression of WGS for in-depth study of H. pylori's AMR.

Real-world effectiveness of ribociclib in metastatic breast cancer patients: Does dose affect survival?

Introduction: Real-world data are critical to demonstrate the reproducibility of evidence and external generalizability of randomized clinical trials. The purpose of this study was to assess real-world security profile and management of adverse events (AEs) presented with ribociclib for the treatment of HR + /HER2- metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Our secondary objective was to provide real-world effectiveness of this treatment (measured with progression-free survival (PFS)) and to confirm the hypothesis that dose reductions are not related with disease progression. Material and methods: Observational retrospective study evaluating all females with MBC treated with ribociclib. Study period: January 2017 to September 2019. Follow-up was done until November 2021. Response was assessed through the PFS according to RECIST1.1 and National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) was used to classify AEs. Results: The most common AE was any grade neutropenia, documented in 37 of 53 patients (69.8%) during the course of treatment. By the end of the follow-up period, overall median PFS with ribociclib therapy was 27.3 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 20.8-71.8 months). In total, 50 patients (94.4%) initiated ribociclib at 600 mg dose, 28 patients (58%) required dose reductions. PFS of patients receiving ribociclib as first-line treatment was 28 (95% CI 15-41 months). Conclusions: Our results from patients treated in real-world clinical settings indicate that ribociclib is safe and their AEs are manageable with active monitoring, temporal suspension of treatment and dose reduction. Furthermore, our results indicate that dose reduction of ribociclib is not associated with a loss of efficacy.

Repeated out-of-Africa expansions of Helicobacter pylori driven by replacement of deleterious mutations.

Helicobacter pylori lives in the human stomach and has a population structure resembling that of its host. However, H. pylori from Europe and the Middle East trace substantially more ancestry from modern African populations than the humans that carry them. Here, we use a collection of Afro-Eurasian H. pylori genomes to show that this African ancestry is due to at least three distinct admixture events. H. pylori from East Asia, which have undergone little admixture, have accumulated many more non-synonymous mutations than African strains. European and Middle Eastern bacteria have elevated African ancestry at the sites of these mutations, implying selection to remove them during admixture. Simulations show that population fitness can be restored after bottlenecks by migration and subsequent admixture of small numbers of bacteria from non-bottlenecked populations. We conclude that recent spread of African DNA has been driven by deleterious mutations accumulated during the original out-of-Africa bottleneck.

Are molecular methods helpful for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection and for the prediction of its antimicrobial resistance?

Infections produced by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a spiral Gram-negative bacterium, can cause chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. Antibiotic therapy is the most effective treatment for H. pylori infection at present. However, owing to the increasing antibiotic resistance of H. pylori strains, it has become a serious threat to human health. Therefore, the accurate diagnosis of H. pylori infections and its antibiotic resistance markers is of great significance. Conventional microbiological diagnosis of H. pylori is based on culture; however, successful isolation of H. pylori from gastric biopsy specimens is a challenging task affected by several factors and has limitations in terms of the time of response. To improve conventional methods, some molecular techniques, such as PCR, have been recently used in both invasive and non-invasive H. pylori diagnosis, enabling simultaneous detection of H. pylori and point mutations responsible for frequent antibiotic resistance. The advantages and disadvantages of molecular methods, mainly PCR, versus conventional culture for the H. pylori identification and the detection of antibiotic resistance are discussed. As expected, the combination of both diagnostic methods will lead to the most efficient identification of the H. pylori strains and the resistance patterns.

Profile and 3-month evolution of geriatric patients after a hip fracture followed-up at a Fracture Liaison Service (FLS).

INTRODUCTION: There are few studies on Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) that evaluate older patients after a hip fracture (HF) through comprehensive geriatric assessment. We aim to determine these patients' characteristics, outcomes, and prescribed treatments. METHODS: A retrospective observational study of a cohort of patients older than 65 years admitted with HFs to an orthogeriatric unit between February 25th (2013) and December 16th (2016). After hospitalization, those patients with a good baseline social, functional, and cognitive situation were referred to the FLS. A comprehensive geriatric assessment and treatment adjustment were conducted. A comparison between FLS patients and HF patients non-referred was made. RESULTS: From 1887 patients admitted to the orthogeriatric unit, 469 (23%) were referred to the FLS. Of those, 335 were women (77.2%) and 337 (77.6%) lived in the community. The FLS patients had a better functional status (97.1% of the patients with independent gait versus 79.2%) than non-FLS patients (p<0.001). After 3 months in the FLS, 356 (82%) patients had independent gait and had improved their analytical values. Antiosteoporotic treatment was prescribed to 322 patients (74%), vitamin D supplements to 397 (91.5%), calcium to 321 (74%), and physical exercise to 421 (97%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients referred to an FLS were younger, with a better functional and cognitive situation. At hospital discharge, they frequently presented gait impairment and laboratory abnormalities (anemia, hypoproteinemia, vitamin D deficiency) that presented good recovery due to the patient's previous baseline. These patients benefit from comprehensive treatment (pharmacological and non-pharmacological).

Profile and 3-month evolution of geriatric patients after a hip fracture followed-up at a Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) / Perfil y evolución a 3 meses de pacientes con fractura de cadera evaluados en una unidad de coordinación de fracturas (Fracture Liaison Service [FLS])

Introduction: There are few studies on Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) that evaluate older patients after a hip fracture (HF) through comprehensive geriatric assessment. We aim to determine these patients’ characteristics, outcomes, and prescribed treatments.Methods: A retrospective observational study of a cohort of patients older than 65 years admitted with HFs to an orthogeriatric unit between February 25th (2013) and December 16th (2016). After hospitalization, those patients with a good baseline social, functional, and cognitive situation were referred to the FLS. A comprehensive geriatric assessment and treatment adjustment were conducted. A comparison between FLS patients and HF patients non-referred was made.Results: From 1887 patients admitted to the orthogeriatric unit, 469 (23%) were referred to the FLS. Of those, 335 were women (77.2%) and 337 (77.6%) lived in the community. The FLS patients had a better functional status (97.1% of the patients with independent gait versus 79.2%) than non-FLS patients (p<0.001). After 3 months in the FLS, 356 (82%) patients had independent gait and had improved their analytical values. Antiosteoporotic treatment was prescribed to 322 patients (74%), vitamin D supplements to 397 (91.5%), calcium to 321 (74%), and physical exercise to 421 (97%).Conclusions: Patients referred to an FLS were younger, with a better functional and cognitive situation. At hospital discharge, they frequently presented gait impairment and laboratory abnormalities (anemia, hypoproteinemia, vitamin D deficiency) that presented good recovery due to the patient's previous baseline. These patients benefit from comprehensive treatment (pharmacological and non-pharmacological). (AU)

Introducción: Hay pocos estudios sobre las unidades de coordinación de fracturas (Fracture Liaison Services [FLS]) que evalúen a pacientes mayores tras una fractura de cadera (FC) a través de una valoración geriátrica integral. Nuestro objetivo es determinar las características de estos pacientes, los resultados y los tratamientos prescritos.Métodos: Estudio observacional retrospectivo de una cohorte de mayores de 65años ingresados tras fractura de cadera (FC) entre el 25 de febrero de 2013 y el 31 de diciembre de 2016 en una unidad de ortogeriatría. Tras el alta hospitalaria, los pacientes con buen soporte social y buena situación funcional y cognitiva fueron citados en la FLS. Se realizó una evaluación geriátrica integral y un ajuste del tratamiento. Dichos pacientes se compararon con pacientes con fractura de cadera no derivados a esta unidad.Resultados: Un total de 1.887 pacientes ingresaron en la unidad de ortogeriatría, y 469 (23%) fueron derivados a la FLS. De ellos, 335 fueron mujeres (77,2%) y 337 (77,6%) vivían en el domicilio. Los atendidos en la FLS tuvieron mejor funcionalidad (97,1% de pacientes con deambulación independiente versus 79,2%) que los no incluidos (p<0,001). A los 3meses en la FLS, 356 (82%) pacientes presentaban deambulación independiente y habían mejorado sus valores analíticos. Se prescribieron antiosteoporóticos a 332 pacientes (74%), suplementos de vitaminaD a 397 (91,5%), calcio a 321 (74%) y ejercicio físico a 421 (97%).Conclusiones: Los pacientes atendidos en una FLS fueron más jóvenes, con mejor situación funcional y cognitiva. Al alta hospitalaria, frecuentemente presentaron inestabilidad de la marcha y alteraciones analíticas (anemia, hipoproteinemia, déficit de vitamina D) que tuvieron buena evolución dado el estado previo del paciente. Estos pacientes se benefician de un tratamiento integral (farmacológico y no farmacológico). (AU)

New evidence in severe pneumonia: imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam

Imipenem combined with beta-lactamase inhibitor relebactam (IMI/REL) has an extensive bactericidal activity againstGram-negative pathogens producing class A or class C beta-lactamases, not active against class B and class D. The phase3 clinical trial (RESTORE-IMI-2), double-blind, randomized,evaluated IMI/REL vs. piperacillin-tazobactam (PIP/TAZ) fortreatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), demonstrated non-inferiorityat all-cause mortality at 28 days (15.9% vs 21.3%), favorable clinical response at 7-14 days end of treatment (61% vs59.8%) and with minor serious adverse effects (26.7% vs 32%).IMI/REL is a therapeutic option in HAP and VAP at approveddosage imipenem 500 mg, cilastatin 500 mg and relebactam250 mg once every 6h, by an IV infusion over 30 min (AU)

Improving hip fracture care in Spain: evolution of quality indicators in the Spanish National Hip Fracture Registry.

This study was carried out to analyze the evolution of the quality indicators in the Spanish National Hip Fracture Registry, after disseminating a series of recommendations based on available clinical practice guidelines to the participating hospitals. Six of the seven proposed quality indicators showed a significant improvement. PURPOSE: The Spanish National Hip Fracture Registry (RNFC) arises from the need to know the process and improve the quality of care. Our goal was to analyze the changes in the RNFC's quality indicators after an intervention based on disseminating specific recommendations among the participating hospitals, following available clinical practice guidelines. METHODS: Study comparing before and after performing an intervention in hospitals participating in the RNFC. Data from the hospitals that registered cases in 2017, and that kept registering cases in 2019. Seven quality indicators were chosen, and a standard to be achieved for each indicator was proposed. The intervention consisted in the dissemination of 25 recommendations with practical measures to improve each quality indicator, based on available clinical practice guidelines, by drafting and publishing a scientific paper and sending it via email and printed cards. Fulfilment of each quality indicator was measured after carrying out the intervention. RESULTS: Forty-three hospitals registered 2674 cases between January and May, 2017, and 8037 during 2019. The quality indicators chosen and the degree of compliance were (all with p<0.05): (1) surgery ≤48 h increased from 38.9 to 45.8%; (2) patients mobilised on the first postoperative day increased from 58.9 to 70.3%; (3) patients with anti-osteoporotic medication at discharge increased from 34.5 to 49.8%; (4) patients with calcium supplements at discharge increased from 48.7 to 62.8%; (5) patients with vitamin D supplements at discharge increased from 71.5 to 84.7%; (6) patients developing a grade >2 pressure ulcer during admission decreased from 6.5 to 5.0%; (7) patients able to move on their own at 1 month fell from 58.8 to 56.4%. More than 48% of hospitals improved the proposed indicators. CONCLUSION: Establishing quality indicators and standards and intervening through the dissemination of specific recommendations to improve these indicators achieved an improvement in hospital performance results on a national level.

Prehabilitation and perioperative geriatric care in patients aged over 80 years with colorectal cancer: Results of a cross-speciality geriatrics program.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a perioperative cross-speciality geriatrics program for patients aged >80 years with colorectal cancer (CRC), aimed to detect and manage frailty and to understand its influence on clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients aged >80 years with CRC and proposed for surgery were included from October 2018 to March 2020. Comprehensive geriatric assessments (CGA) were performed. Patients were classified according to the estimated physiological reserve, from fit, frail patients and even the disabled: CGA-1, CGA-2, CGA-3, and CGA-4. Individualised treatment was adapted to each patient's situation. Patients who underwent surgery were followed up by a geriatrician. The presence of complications, length of stay, hospital readmissions at 30 days, and short- and long-term mortality were recorded. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients were included. The mean age was 84.5 ± 4.5 years. 55.4% patients were classified as CGA-1, 24.3% as CGA-2, 16.2% as CGA-3, and 4.1% as CGA-4. No CGA-4 patient was operated on. Frail (CGA-2 and CGA-3) patients had higher medical complications (50% vs 21.2%, p < 0.05) and delirium (30% vs 9.1%, p < 0.05) than fit patients (CGA-1). They also had higher rates of surgical complications (20% vs 15.2%), longer hospital stay (10 ± 6.2 vs 8.4 ± 4.2 days), 30-day readmissions (15% vs 6.3%), and mortality at six (10% vs 3%) and twelve months (20% vs 6.1%), although it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: CGA and prehabilitation can classify patients according to their frailty status, support clinicians in decision-making to achieve tailored treatment, and detect clinical conditions for intervention in multiple domains of health in the perioperative period.

Differences in the baseline characteristics, management and outcomes of patients with hip fractures depending on their pre-fracture place of residence: the Spanish National Hip Fracture Registry (RNFC) cohort.

PURPOSE: One in four hip fracture patients comes from an aged care facility. This study aimed to compare the characteristics of these subjects with their community-dwelling counterparts at baseline, during hospitalization and 1-month post-fracture. METHODS: We analyzed data from a cohort of older adults admitted with hip fractures to 75 Spanish hospitals, collected prospectively in the Spanish National Hip Fracture Registry between 2016 and 2018. We classified participants according to pre-fracture residence: community dwellers vs. aged care facilities residents. We collected demographic records at baseline, along with variables relating to in-hospital evolution and discharge to geriatric rehabilitation units. Patients or relatives were interviewed at 1-month follow-up. RESULTS: Out of 18,262 patients, 4,422 (24.2%) lived in aged care facilities. Aged care facilities residents were older (median age: 89 vs. 86 years), less mobile (inability to walk independently: 20.8% vs. 9.4%) and had more cognitive impairment (Pfeiffer's SPMSQ > 3, 75.3% vs. 34.8%). They were more likely to receive conservative treatment (5.4% vs. 2.0%) and less likely to be mobilized early (58.2% vs. 63.0%). At discharge, they received less vitamin D supplements (68.5% vs. 72.4%), less anti-osteoporotic medication (29.3% vs. 44.3%), and were referred to geriatric rehabilitation units less frequently (5.4% vs. 27.5%). One-month post-fracture, 45% of aged care facilities residents compared to 28% of community dwellers experienced a severe gait decline. Aged care facilities residents had a higher one-month mortality (10.6% vs. 6.8%). CONCLUSION: Hip fracture patients from aged care facilities are more vulnerable than their community-dwelling peers and are managed differently both during hospitalization and at discharge. Gait decline is disproportionately higher among those admitted from aged care.

[Evolution of COVID-19 at nursing homes from the second wave to vaccination. Description of a coordination program between Primary Care, Geriatrics and Public Health.] / Evolución de la COVID-19 en las residencias de personas mayores desde la segunda ola hasta la vacunación. Descripción de un programa de coordinación entre Atención Primaria, Geriatría y Salud Pública.

OBJECTIVE: Nursing homes have suffered in a particularly pronounced way from the effects of COVID-19 so it is very convenient to know the evolution in them of the disease and the impact of SARS-CoV2 vaccination The objective of this study was to analyze COVID-19 pandemic evolution from the start of the second wave to the end of the vaccination campaign at the nursing homes. A coordination program between Primary Care and Geriatrics and Public Health services was activated. METHODS: 2,668 seniors were followed at 39 nursing homes. Data from new cases, active cases, mortality and place of treatment of COVID-19 were collected. A descriptive analysis was performed with the measurement of the absolute number of positive SARS-CoV-2 cases and the frequency distribution. RESULTS: Between August 7th 2020 and February 26th 2021, 30 outbreaks occurred at 21 nursing homes. 300 people tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (11% of total residents). The daily average of active cases was 27,166 were hospitalized (55%). 66 patients died (22% of those infected), 54 of them (78%) at the hospital. 1,984 PCR tests were performed. The temporary profile of new cases did not follow a distribution "in waves" as in the community. Thirty-seven days after the start of the second dose of vaccination, there were no active cases until March 1st, when new cases were under study for possible vaccine leakage. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of COVID-19 at nursing homes after the first wave of the pandemic has apparently been lower. The transmission in these centers has followed a different distribution than at community. Mass vaccination has achieved the practical disappearance of the disease.

OBJETIVO: Los centros residenciales han sufrido de una manera especialmente acusada los efectos de la COVID-19 por lo que es muy conveniente conocer la evolución en ellos de la enfermedad y el impacto de la vacunación frente al SARS-CoV2. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer la evolución de la pandemia de COVID-19 desde el comienzo de la segunda ola hasta el final del proceso de vacunación en las residencias de personas mayores de un área sanitaria, en la cual se activó un programa de coordinación entre Atención Primaria y los servicios de Geriatría y Salud Publica. METODOS: Se siguió a 2.668 personas mayores en 39 residencias. Se recogieron datos de casos nuevos, activos, fallecidos y lugar de tratamiento de la COVID-19. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo con la medición del número absoluto de casos positivo de SARS-CoV-2 y la distribución de frecuencias. RESULTADOS: Entre el 7 de agosto de 2020 y el 26 de febrero de 2021 se produjeron 30 brotes en 21 residencias. Se detectaron 300 casos positivos de SARS-CoV-2 (11% de los residentes totales). La media diaria de casos activos fue 27. Fueron hospitalizados 166 (55%). Fallecieron 66 pacientes (22% de los infectados), 54 de ellos (78%) en el hospital. Se realizaron 1.984 test PCR. El perfil temporal de aparición de casos nuevos no siguió una distribución "en olas" como en la comunidad. Treinta y siete días después del inicio de la segunda dosis de vacunación, no existieron casos activos hasta el 1 de marzo en que aparecieron nuevos casos en estudio por posible escape vacunal. CONCLUSIONES: La incidencia de la COVID-19 en las residencias de personas mayores tras la primera ola de la pandemia es aparentemente inferior. La transmisión en estos centros sigue una distribución diferente a la de la comunidad. El efecto de la vacunación masiva consigue la práctica desaparición de la enfermedad.

Predictive Model of Gait Recovery at One Month after Hip Fracture from a National Cohort of 25,607 Patients: The Hip Fracture Prognosis (HF-Prognosis) Tool.

The aim of this study was to develop a predictive model of gait recovery after hip fracture. Data was obtained from a sample of 25,607 patients included in the Spanish National Hip Fracture Registry from 2017 to 2019. The primary outcome was recovery of the baseline level of ambulatory capacity. A logistic regression model was developed using 40% of the sample and the model was validated in the remaining 60% of the sample. The predictors introduced in the model were: age, prefracture gait independence, cognitive impairment, anesthetic risk, fracture type, operative delay, early postoperative mobilization, weight bearing, presence of pressure ulcers and destination at discharge. Five groups of patients or clusters were identified by their predicted probability of recovery, including the most common features of each. A probability threshold of 0.706 in the training set led to an accuracy of the model of 0.64 in the validation set. We present an acceptably accurate predictive model of gait recovery after hip fracture based on the patients' individual characteristics. This model could aid clinicians to better target programs and interventions in this population.

[Liaison geriatrics with nursing homes in COVID time. A new coordination model arrived to stay]. / La Geriatría de Enlace con residencias en la época de la COVID-19. Un nuevo modelo de coordinación que ha llegado para quedarse.

Older people living in nursing homes fulfil the criteria to be considered as geriatric patients, but they often do not have met their health care needs. Current deficits appeared as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. The need to improve the coordination between hospitals and nursing homes emerged, and in Madrid it materialized with the implantation of Liaison Geriatrics teams or units at public hospitals. The Sociedad Española de Geriatría y Gerontología has defined the role of the geriatricians in the COVID-19 pandemic and they have given guidelines about prevention, early detection, isolation and sectorization, training, care homes classification, patient referral coordination, and the role of the different care settings, among others. These units and teams also must undertake other care activities that have a shortfall currently, like nursing homes-hospital coordination, geriatricians visits to the homes, telemedicine sessions, geriatric assessment in emergency rooms, and primary care and public health services coordination. This paper describes the concept of Liaison Geriatrics and its implementation at the Autonomous Community of Madrid hospitals as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. Activity data from a unit at a hospital with a huge number of nursing homes in its catchment area are reported. The objective is to understand the need of this activity in order to avoid the current fragmentation of care between hospitals and nursing homes. This activity should be consolidated in the future.

Development of a new comprehensive preoperative risk score for predicting 1-year mortality in patients with hip fracture: the HULP-HF score. Comparison with 3 other risk prediction models.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop a new comprehensive preoperative risk score for predicting mortality during the first year after hip fracture (HF) and its comparison with 3 other risk prediction models. METHODS: All patients admitted consecutively with a fragility HF during 1 year in a co-managed orthogeriatric unit at a university hospital were assessed and followed for 1 year. Factors independently associated with 1-year mortality were used to create the HULP-HF (Hospital Universitario La Paz - Hip Fracture) score. The predictive validity, discrimination and calibration of the HULP-HF score, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scale, the abbreviated Charlson comorbidity index (a-CCI) and the Nottingham Hip Fracture score (NHFS) were compared. Discriminative performance was assessed using the area under the curve (AUC) and calibration by the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit-test. RESULTS: 509 patients were included. 1-year mortality was 23.2%. The 8 independent mortality risk factors included in the HULP-HF score were age >85 years, baseline functional and cognitive impairment, low body mass index, heart disease, low hand-grip strength, anaemia on admission, and secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with vitamin D deficiency. The AUC was 0.79 in the HULP-HF score, 0.66 in the NHFS, 0.61 in the abbreviated CCI and 0.59 in the ASA scale. The HULP-HF score, the NHFS and the abbreviated CCI all presented good levels of calibration (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The HULP-HF score has a predictive capacity for 1-year mortality in HF patients slightly superior to that of other previously existing scores.

A 500-year tale of co-evolution, adaptation, and virulence: Helicobacter pylori in the Americas.

Helicobacter pylori is a common component of the human stomach microbiota, possibly dating back to the speciation of Homo sapiens. A history of pathogen evolution in allopatry has led to the development of genetically distinct H. pylori subpopulations, associated with different human populations, and more recent admixture among H. pylori subpopulations can provide information about human migrations. However, little is known about the degree to which some H. pylori genes are conserved in the face of admixture, potentially indicating host adaptation, or how virulence genes spread among different populations. We analyzed H. pylori genomes from 14 countries in the Americas, strains from the Iberian Peninsula, and public genomes from Europe, Africa, and Asia, to investigate how admixture varies across different regions and gene families. Whole-genome analyses of 723 H. pylori strains from around the world showed evidence of frequent admixture in the American strains with a complex mosaic of contributions from H. pylori populations originating in the Americas as well as other continents. Despite the complex admixture, distinctive genomic fingerprints were identified for each region, revealing novel American H. pylori subpopulations. A pan-genome Fst analysis showed that variation in virulence genes had the strongest fixation in America, compared with non-American populations, and that much of the variation constituted non-synonymous substitutions in functional domains. Network analyses suggest that these virulence genes have followed unique evolutionary paths in the American populations, spreading into different genetic backgrounds, potentially contributing to the high risk of gastric cancer in the region.

An Agave Counting Methodology Based on Mathematical Morphology and Images Acquired through Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

Blue agave is an important commercial crop in Mexico, and it is the main source of the traditional mexican beverage known as tequila. The variety of blue agave crop known as Tequilana Weber is a crucial element for tequila agribusiness and the agricultural economy in Mexico. The number of agave plants in the field is one of the main parameters for estimating production of tequila. In this manuscript, we describe a mathematical morphology-based algorithm that addresses the agave automatic counting task. The proposed methodology was applied to a set of real images collected using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle equipped with a digital Red-Green-Blue (RGB) camera. The number of plants automatically identified in the collected images was compared to the number of plants counted by hand. Accuracy of the proposed algorithm depended on the size heterogeneity of plants in the field and illumination. Accuracy ranged from 0.8309 to 0.9806, and performance of the proposed algorithm was satisfactory.

Handgrip strength predicts 1-year functional recovery and mortality in hip fracture patients.

OBJECTIVES: Muscle strength is a possible predictor of adverse events. It could have prognostic value in patients with hip fracture (HF). The aim of this study was to determine if handgrip strength is associated with functional impairment, readmissions, and mortality at one year in elderly patients with HF. DESIGN: A prospective observational study was carried out. It included a cohort of patients aged 65 years or older with a diagnosis of fragility HF, consecutively from January 2013 to February 2014 and seen in follow-up at one year. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v21 software. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Five hundred and nine patients with a mean age of 85.4 ± 0.3 years were included, of whom 403 (79.2 %) were women. Clinical and functional outcomes, laboratory parameters and anthropometric measurements were collected. RESULTS: Of the total sample, 339 (66.6 %) had reduced handgrip strength, and these patients were older, more frequently institutionalized, had poorer functional and cognitive status, higher comorbidity, higher surgical risk, lower body mass index and a greater intra-hospital mortality (all p < 0.01). At one year, patients with lower handgrip strength had a major change in their ability to walk (32.7 % vs. 10.9 %, p < 0.001) and a higher mortality rate (30.4 % vs. 8.8 %, p < 0.001). However, in patients over 91 years of age, there was no association between lower handgrip strength and change in ability to walk. There were no differences in the number of readmissions. CONCLUSION: Low handgrip strength in elderly patients with HF predicts greater functional disability and higher long-term mortality.

A quick flow cytometry protocol to assess Helicobacter pylori viability.

Here we present an easy flow cytometry protocol to study the viability of Helicobacter pylori which also enables the detection of even low live bacteria densities. This protocol has potential utility for a fast and accurate assessment of experimental eradication methods against H. pylori.