Acidithiobacillia class members originating at sites within the Pacific Ring of Fire and other tectonically active locations and description of the novel genus 'Igneacidithiobacillus'.

Recent studies have expanded the genomic contours of the Acidithiobacillia, highlighting important lacunae in our comprehension of the phylogenetic space occupied by certain lineages of the class. One such lineage is 'Igneacidithiobacillus', a novel genus-level taxon, represented by 'Igneacidithiobacillus copahuensis' VAN18-1T as its type species, along with two other uncultivated metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) originating from geothermally active sites across the Pacific Ring of Fire. In this study, we investigate the genetic and genomic diversity, and the distribution patterns of several uncharacterized Acidithiobacillia class strains and sequence clones, which are ascribed to the same 16S rRNA gene sequence clade. By digging deeper into this data and contributing to novel MAGs emerging from environmental studies in tectonically active locations, the description of this novel genus has been consolidated. Using state-of-the-art genomic taxonomy methods, we added to already recognized taxa, an additional four novel Candidate (Ca.) species, including 'Ca. Igneacidithiobacillus chanchocoensis' (mCHCt20-1TS), 'Igneacidithiobacillus siniensis' (S30A2T), 'Ca. Igneacidithiobacillus taupoensis' (TVZ-G3 TS), and 'Ca. Igneacidithiobacillus waiarikiensis' (TVZ-G4 TS). Analysis of published data on the isolation, enrichment, cultivation, and preliminary microbiological characterization of several of these unassigned or misassigned strains, along with the type species of the genus, plus the recoverable environmental data from metagenomic studies, allowed us to identify habitat preferences of these taxa. Commonalities and lineage-specific adaptations of the seven species of the genus were derived from pangenome analysis and comparative genomic metabolic reconstruction. The findings emerging from this study lay the groundwork for further research on the ecology, evolution, and biotechnological potential of the novel genus 'Igneacidithiobacillus'.

Integrating Youth Readiness Intervention and Entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone: A Hybrid Type II Cluster Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Conflict-affected youth are at risk for poor psychological and social outcomes, yet few receive mental health services. Strategies to expand access and sustain evidence-based interventions (EBIs) across novel delivery platforms must be tested. The present study was a hybrid type II implementation-effectiveness trial using a cluster randomized design. The primary goal was to evaluate feasibility and impact of using the collaborative team approach to deliver the Youth Readiness Intervention (YRI), an EBI, integrated into a youth entrepreneurship program (ENTR) with quality control in post-conflict Sierra Leone. METHOD: Youth were screened and randomly assigned to control, ENTR, or combined YRI and ENTR (YRI+ENTR). Implementation outcomes were dissemination and implementation indicators, competence, and fidelity. Effectiveness outcomes were emotion regulation, psychological distress, and interpersonal functioning. Secondary outcomes were third-party reporter assessments of youth functioning and behavior. RESULTS: Data were collected and analyzed from 1,151 youth participants and 528 third-party reporters. Scores on implementation constructs, competence, and fidelity demonstrated acceptable intervention response and quality. YRI+ENTR participants showed overall improvements in depression (ß = -.081, 95% CI -0.124 to -0.038, d = -0.154) and anxiety (ß = -.043, 95% CI -0.091 to -0.005, d = 0.082) symptoms compared with control participants. Community leaders indicated that YRI+ENTR participants demonstrated improvements in overall work or training performance compared with control participants (ß = -.114, 95% CI 0.004 to 0.232, d = 0.374). CONCLUSION: Integration of EBIs such as the YRI into youth employment programs has the potential to address limited reach of EBIs in conflict and post-conflict settings. A collaborative team implementation approach can facilitate integration and fidelity. DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT: We worked to ensure sex and gender balance in the recruitment of human participants. We worked to ensure that the study questionnaires were prepared in an inclusive way. We worked to ensure race, ethnic, and/or other types of diversity in the recruitment of human participants. One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science. One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented sexual and/or gender groups in science. We actively worked to promote sex and gender balance in our author group. We actively worked to promote inclusion of historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science in our author group. The author list of this paper includes contributors from the location and/or community where the research was conducted who participated in the data collection, design, analysis, and/or interpretation of the work. One or more of the authors of this paper received support from a program designed to increase minority representation in science. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Youth FORWARD Phase 2 YRI and EPP Study; https://clinicaltrials.gov/; NCT03542500.

Measuring the cost-effectiveness of a home-visiting intervention to promote early child development among rural families linked to the Rwandan social protection system.

Early childhood development (ECD) programmes are heralded as a way to improve children's health and educational outcomes. However, few studies in developing countries calculate the effectiveness of quality early childhood interventions. This study estimates the cost and cost-effectiveness of the Sugira Muryango (SM) trial, a home-visiting intervention to improve ECD outcomes through positive parent-child relationships. Cost-effectiveness analysis of ECD interventions is challenging given their potential to have multiple benefits. We propose a cost-effectiveness method using a single outcome, in this case the improvement in cognitive development per home-visit session, as an indication of efficiency comparable across similar interventions. The trial intervention cost US$456 per family. This cost will likely fall below US$200 if the intervention is scaled through government systems. The cost-effectiveness analysis suggests that while SM generated a relatively small impact on markers of early development, it did so efficiently. The observed improvements in cognitive development per home-visit are similar to other home-visiting interventions of longer duration. SM by focusing on the family had benefits beyond ECD, including reductions in violence against children and intermate partner violence, further analysis is needed to include these returns in the economic evaluation.

Family Violence Reduction Within a Parenting Intervention in Rwanda: A Mixed-Methods Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A mixed-methods study of mechanisms of change through which a home-visiting-based early childhood development intervention, Sugira Muryango ("strong family"), reduced violent discipline and intimate partner violence in Rwanda. METHODS: The cluster-randomized trial of Sugira Muryango enrolled socioeconomically vulnerable families with children aged 6 to 36 months in rural Rwanda. We interviewed 18 female caregivers early in the intervention, and 21 female caregivers and 11 male intimate partners were interviewed after the intervention. Coded interviews identify risk factors for violence and mechanisms of intervention-related change in violence. Quantitative analyses included 931 caregivers (52.6% female) who lived with an intimate partner to examine risk factors for violence, intervention effects, and mechanisms of violence reduction. RESULTS: The qualitative data identified daily hardships and alcohol problems as risk factors for violent discipline and intimate partner violence. Through Sugira Muryango, caregivers learned that strong relationships between partners and engagement of male caregivers in child care has positive impacts on children's development. Techniques taught by community lay workers improved communication, promoted positive parent-child interactions, and reduced intimate partner violence and violent discipline. Quantitative analyses also found that daily hardships predict violent discipline and intimate partner violence. Sugira Muryango reduced violent discipline, increased father engagement, and increased female caregiving warmth. Moreover, pre- to postintervention change in caregiving warmth was associated with reduced use of violent discipline among female caregivers and marginally associated with reduced female victimization. CONCLUSIONS: Violence reduction can be integrated into early child development programs to reduce violent discipline and intimate partner violence.

Validity and Reliability of Short-Term Heart Rate Variability Parameters in Older People in Response to Physical Exercise.

BACKGROUND: Currently, and to the best of our knowledge, there is no standardized protocol to measure the effect of low- to moderate-intensity physical exercise on autonomic modulation focused in older people. AIM: Validate a test-retest short-term exercise protocol for measuring the autonomic response through HRV in older people. METHODS: A test-retest study design was used. The participants were selected through intentional non-probabilistic sampling. A total of 105 older people (male: 21.9%; female: 78.1%) were recruited from a local community. The assessment protocol evaluated HRV before and immediately after the 2-min step test. It was performed twice on the same day, considering a time of three chronological hours between the two measurements. RESULTS: The posterior distribution of estimated responses in the Bayesian framework suggests moderate to strong evidence favoring a null effect between measurements. In addition, there was moderate to robust agreement between heart rate variability (HRV) indices and assessments, except for low frequency and very low frequency, which showed weak agreement. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide moderate to strong evidence for using HRV to measure cardiac autonomic response to moderate exercise, suggesting that it is sufficiently reliable to show similar results to those shown in this test-retest protocol.

Real-world performance of the MiniMed 780G advanced hybrid closed loop system in Latin America: Substantial improvement in glycaemic control with each technology iteration of the MiniMed automated insulin delivery system.

AIM: We studied real-world performance of MiniMed (MM) 780G system users from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Chile (geographical analysis), and the effect of each technology iteration of the MM system on glycaemic control (technology iteration analysis). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CareLink data from August 2020 to September 2022 were extracted. Endpoints included continuous glucose monitoring metrics. For the geographical analysis, aggregated endpoints for MM780G system users were calculated. For the technology iteration analysis, MM780G system user outcomes were compared with outcomes when the same individuals were still using the MM640G or MM670G system. RESULTS: On average, 1025 MM780G system users from the geographical analysis were followed for 136 (SD 135) days, spent 91.5 (14.3)% in advanced hybrid closed loop, showed a glucose management indicator (GMI) of 6.7 (0.3)%, a time in range between 70 and 180 mg/dl (TIR) of 76.5 (9.0)%, and a time below range 70 mg/dl (TBR) of 2.7 (2.1)%. The percentage of users reaching targets of GMI <7%, TIR >70% and TBR <4% was 80.8%, 78.1% and 80.1%, respectively. The technology iteration analysis on users transitioning from MM640G to MM780G system (N = 381) showed 0.4% decrease in GMI (7.1% to 6.7%, p < .0001), 10.7% increase in TIR (65.9% to 76.6%, p < .0001), while TBR remained. The percentage of insulin delivered automatically increased as well (47.5%-57.7%, p < .0001). Users transitioning from MM670G system (N = 78) showed a similar but less pronounced pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Real-world Latin American MM780G users on average showed good glucose control, achieving international targets. Glycaemic control increased with every technology iteration of the MM system, providing more automation each time.

Membrane vesicles in Acidithiobacillia class extreme acidophiles: influence on collective behaviors of 'Fervidacidithiobacillus caldus'.

Membrane vesicles (MVs) are envelope-derived extracellular sacs that perform a broad diversity of physiological functions in bacteria. While considerably studied in pathogenic microorganisms, the roles, relevance, and biotechnological potential of MVs from environmental bacteria are less well established. Acidithiobacillaceae family bacteria are active players in the sulfur and iron biogeochemical cycles in extremely acidic environments and drivers of the leaching of mineral ores contributing to acid rock/mine drainage (ARD/AMD) and industrial bioleaching. One key aspect of such a role is the ability of these bacteria to tightly interact with the mineral surfaces and extract electrons and nutrients to support their chemolithotrophic metabolism. Despite recent advances in the characterization of acidithiobacilli biofilms and extracellular matrix (ECM) components, our understanding of its architectural and mechanistic aspects remains scant. Using different microscopy techniques and nano-tracking analysis we show that vesiculation is a common phenomenon in distant members of the Acidithiobacillaceae family, and further explore the role of MVs in multicellular colonization behaviors using 'Fervidacidithiobacillus caldus' as a bacterial model. Production of MVs in 'F. caldus' occurred in both planktonic cultures and biofilms formed on sulfur surfaces, where MVs appeared individually or in chains resembling tube-shaped membranous structures (TSMSs) important for microbial communication. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry data and bioinformatic analysis of the MV-associated proteome revealed that 'F. caldus' MVs were enriched in proteins involved in cell-cell and cell-surface processes and largely typified the MVs as outer MVs (OMVs). Finally, microbiological assays showed that amendment of 'F. caldus' MVs to cells and/or biofilms affects collective colonizing behaviors relevant to the ecophysiology and applications of these acidophiles, providing grounds for their exploitation in biomining.

Stormfires in La Palma, Chile: Shared Meanings Emerging from a Post-disaster Community Intervention / Tormenta de fuego en la palma (chile): significados compartidos surgidos de una intervención comunitaria postdesastre

RESUMEN Los desastres socioambientales afectan desigualmente a las zonas rurales en comparación con las urbanas. Esta realidad hace que la movilización de recursos comunitarios sea esencial para afrontar estos eventos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la construcción de significados derivados del proceso de intervención comunitaria posterior a un desastre (incendio forestal) entre la comunidad La Palma y el equipo de la Fundación Tierra de Esperanza, planteando como pregunta de investigación ¿Qué significados compartidos surgen del proceso de intervención vivenciado por la comunidad de La Palma y el equipo interventor? El estudio tuvo un diseño fenomenológico, utilizando análisis interpretativo del discurso. Los resultados muestran la emergencia de categorías vinculadas a procesos identitarios, ruralidad, y el despliegue de procesos psicosociales durante la experiencia de intervención vinculados con el afrontamiento comunitario, apoyo social, rol clave de liderazgos femeninos y aprendizajes de la comunidad. Se discute cómo la toma de conciencia de esta comunidad rural incrementó su capacidad de agencia ante eventos en los que cuentan con escaso apoyo gubernamental.

ABSTRACT Socio-environmental disasters affect rural areas unequally, compared to urban areas. This reality makes the mobilization of community resources essential when facing these events. The objective of this study was to analyze the construction of meanings derived from the process of community intervention after a disaster (forest fires) between the La Palma community and the Tierra de Esperanza Foundation team, posing as a research question: What shared meanings emerge from the intervention process experienced by the La Palma community and the intervention team? The study had a phenomenological design, using interpretative discourse analysis. The results show the emergence of categories linked to identity processes, rurality, and the unfolding of psychosocial processes during the intervention experience, linked to community coping, social support, the key role of female leadership, and community learning. It is discussed how the awareness of this rural community increased its capacity for agency in the face of events with little government support.

Isquemia mesentérica segmentaria como secuela de la COVID-19: Informe de un caso / Segmental mesenteric ischemia as a sequel to COVID-19: A case report

Coronaviruses can cause respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system diseases in humans and animals, have the ability to adapt through mutations, and are programmed to modify host tropism. SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) has been shown to be a highly thrombogenic disease, generating deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and acute ischemia, in patients even without previous pathology. Coronaviruses can cross the species barrier and infect humans with unexpected consequences for public health. The transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2 is higher compared to that of closely related SARS-CoV infections. Key residues of the spike protein have a higher binding affinity for ACE2. These may be the reason for the higher transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 has been shown in some patients to be a highly thrombogenic disease, both venous and arterial, generating deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and acute ischemia, both in patients without previous pathology as with them.There is molecular evidence of the state of hyper coagulability in COVID-19; the first observations were made by Wang, in 2020, when analyzing the levels of fibrinogen and D-dimer in patients with COVID-19 and finding elevated levels up to 75% above the laboratory controls. We present the case of a 62-year-old male with mild symptoms of COVID-19 and outpatient management, at the end of the clinical disease he presented an acute abdomen secondary to mesenteric ischemia, with good postoperative evolution.

Los coronavirus pueden causar enfermedades respiratorias, gastrointestinales y del sistema nervioso central en seres humanos y animales; tienen la capacidad para adaptarse por medio de mutaciones y son programados para modificar el tropismo del huésped. La infección por el SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) genera trombosis venosa profunda, embolismo pulmonar y cuadros de isquemia aguda, en pacientes sin afección previa. Los coronavirus infectan a los seres humanos con consecuencias inesperadas para la salud pública. La tasa de transmisión de la infección por el SARS-CoV-2 es más alta en comparación con las infecciones por SARS-CoV estrechamente relacionadas. Los residuos clave de la proteína espiga tienen mayor afinidad de unión por el receptor de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina (ECA2). Esta puede ser la razón de la mayor tasa de transmisión de SARS-CoV-2. La COVID-19 ha demostrado, en algunos pacientes, ser una enfermedad altamente trombogénica, tanto venosa como arterial, dado que genera trombosis venosa profunda, embolismo pulmonar y cuadros de isquemia aguda, tanto en pacientes sin afecciones previas como con ellas. Existe evidencia molecular del estado de hipercoagulabilidad en la COVID-19; las primeras observaciones fueron realizadas por Wang en 2020, al analizar los niveles de fibrinógeno y dímero-D en pacientes con COVID-19, y encontrar niveles elevados hasta 75% por arriba de los controles de laboratorio. Se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino de 62 años, con un cuadro leve de COVID-19 y abordaje ambulatorio; al término de la enfermedad clínica presentó abdomen agudo secundario a isquemia mesentérica, con buena evolución en el posoperatorio.

Vocational peer support for adults with psychiatric disabilities: Results of a randomized trial.

Objective: Peer support services for individuals with psychiatric conditions have burgeoned and now are proliferating within mental health systems nationally and internationally. More recently, variations of peer support have been developed, including those that focus on vocational outcomes. Methods: We conducted a randomized clinical trial in two mental health programs to test a newly developed model of vocationally oriented peer support. We recruited, randomly assigned, and followed 166 individuals for 12 months; 83 received Vocational Peer Support (the experimental condition, VPS) and 83 received peer support services-as-usual. Peer support specialists (PSS) delivering VPS were trained and supervised. We examined vocational and educational outcomes as well as work hope, quality of life, and work readiness at baseline, 6- and 12-month postrandomization. We assessed the working alliance as well. Results: We found a group-by-time effect on domains of work readiness and modest differences in vocational activity. Secondary analyses revealed that VPS resulted in a stronger working alliance with the peer specialist, which mediated some aspects of a better quality of life and greater work hope. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: In the context of the peer relationship, peer specialists are often called upon to support individuals who are pursuing employment, often without adequate preparation or training. Our findings suggest that vocationally oriented peer support affects several aspects of readiness to pursue work-related goals and mediates some aspects of vocational hope and quality of life. VPS may assist individuals receiving peer support as they choose, get, and keep employment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Quorum Sensing Signaling Molecules Positively Regulate c-di-GMP Effector PelD Encoding Gene and PEL Exopolysaccharide Biosynthesis in Extremophile Bacterium Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans.

Acidithiobacillus species are fundamental players in biofilm formation by acidophile bioleaching communities. It has been previously reported that Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans possesses a functional quorum sensing mediated by acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL), involved in biofilm formation, and AHLs naturally produced by Acidithiobacillus species also induce biofilm formation in Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. A c-di-GMP pathway has been characterized in Acidithiobacillus species but it has been pointed out that the c-di-GMP effector PelD and pel-like operon are only present in the sulfur oxidizers such as A. thiooxidans. PEL exopolysaccharide has been recently involved in biofilm formation in this Acidithiobacillus species. Here, by comparing wild type and ΔpelD strains through mechanical analysis of biofilm-cells detachment, fluorescence microscopy and qPCR experiments, the structural role of PEL exopolysaccharide and the molecular network involved for its biosynthesis by A. thiooxidans were tackled. Besides, the effect of AHLs on PEL exopolysaccharide production was assessed. Mechanical resistance experiments indicated that the loss of PEL exopolysaccharide produces fragile A. thiooxidans biofilms. qRT-PCR analysis established that AHLs induce the transcription of pelA and pelD genes while epifluorescence microscopy studies revealed that PEL exopolysaccharide was required for the development of AHL-induced biofilms. Altogether these results reveal for the first time that AHLs positively regulate pel genes and participate in the molecular network for PEL exopolysaccharide biosynthesis by A. thiooxidans.

Effect of a home-visiting parenting program to promote early childhood development and prevent violence: a cluster-randomized trial in Rwanda.

INTRODUCTION: Families living in extreme poverty require interventions to support early-childhood development (ECD) due to broad risks. This longitudinal cluster randomised trial examines the effectiveness of Sugira Muryango (SM), a home-visiting intervention linked to Rwanda's social protection system to promote ECD and reduce violence compared with usual care (UC). METHODS: Families with children aged 6-36 months were recruited in 284 geographical clusters across three districts. Cluster-level randomisation (allocated 1:1 SM:UC) was used to prevent diffusion. SM was hypothesised to improve child development, reduce violence and increase father engagement. Developmental outcomes were assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) and the Malawi Development Assessment Tool (MDAT) and anthropometric assessments of growth. Violence was assessed using questions from UNICEF Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (MICS) and Rwanda Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). Father engagement was assessed using the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment. Blinded enumerators conducted interviews and developmental assessments. RESULTS: A total of 541 SM families and 508 UC families were enrolled and included in the analyses. Study attrition (2.0% children; 9.6% caregivers) was addressed by hot deck imputation. Children in SM families improved more on gross motor (d=0.162, 95% CI 0.065 to 0.260), communication (d=0.081, 95% CI 0.005 to 0.156), problem solving (d=0.101, 95% CI 0.002 to 0.179) and personal-social development (d=0.096, 95% CI -0.015 to 0.177) on the ASQ-3. SM families showed increased father engagement (OR=1.592, 95% CI 1.069 to 2.368), decreased harsh discipline (incidence rate ratio, IRR=0.741, 95% CI 0.657 to 0.835) and intimate partner violence (IRR=0.616, 95% CI:0.458 to 0.828). There were no intervention-related improvements on MDAT or child growth. CONCLUSION: Social protection programmes provide a means to deliver ECD intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02510313.

Normalization of endometrial histopathology and endometrial NK cells concentration predict successful pregnancy in repeated implantation failure.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to establish the endometrial predictors of clinical pregnancy in a population of repeated implantation failure with oocyte donation after specific endometrial treatment. The secondary one was to evaluate reproduction outcomes in terms of Implantation rate (IR), Clinical pregnancy (CP), Live birth delivery rate (LBDR) and Prematurity, in relation to normalization or no-normalization of the predictors. METHODS: 66 patients were assigned to the study. We ran a Pipelle endometrial biopsy to investigate the endometrium lymphocyte population by Flow Cytometry and abnormal/normal patterns by histopathology in pre/post-treatment. We employed the binary logistic regression model to identify the predictors for CP. For the secondary objective, we assessed the clinical outcomes in function to the normalization or no normalization in post-treatment. RESULTS: Endometrial histopathology and endometrial NK cell counts resulted in CP predictors (Wald chi2 test (p=0.044 and 0.001)), respectively. We had a higher IR, CP and LBDR when both predictors were normalized in comparison with no normalization (p<0.001). There was a high percentage of prematurity in both normalized vs. non-normalized groups (34.4% (11/32) and 71.43% (5/7), respectively) without significant differences. CONCLUSION: Endometrial histopathology and endometrial NK cell counts showed that they are valid predictors of pregnancy outcome in repeated implantation failure after treatment. In post-treatment, the pregnancy outcomes were significantly higher in the presence of both normalized predictors. Pregnancy rates were zero in the no-normalization of both predictors. There was a high percentage of prematurity in both groups.

Acidithiobacillus ferrianus sp. nov.: an ancestral extremely acidophilic and facultatively anaerobic chemolithoautotroph.

Strain MG, isolated from an acidic pond sediment on the island of Milos (Greece), is proposed as a novel species of ferrous iron- and sulfur-oxidizing Acidithiobacillus. Currently, four of the eight validated species of this genus oxidize ferrous iron, and strain MG shares many key characteristics with these four, including the capacities for catalyzing the oxidative dissolution of pyrite and for anaerobic growth via ferric iron respiration. Strain MG also grows aerobically on hydrogen and anaerobically on hydrogen coupled to ferric iron reduction. While the 16S rRNA genes of the iron-oxidizing Acidi-thiobacillus species (and strain MG) are located in a distinct phylogenetic clade and are closely related (98-99% 16S rRNA gene identity), genomic relatedness indexes (ANI/dDDH) revealed strong genomic divergence between strain MG and all sequenced type strains of the taxon, and placed MG as the first cultured representative of an ancestral phylotype of iron oxidizing acidithiobacilli. Strain MG is proposed as a novel species, Acidithiobacillus ferrianus sp. nov. The type strain is MGT (= DSM 107098T = JCM 33084T). Similar strains have been found as isolates or indicated by cloned 16S rRNA genes from several mineral sulfide mine sites.

Regenerative therapy by endometrial mesenchymal stem cells in thin endometrium with repeated implantation failure. A novel strategy.

OBJECTIVE: Our primary objective was to evaluate the endometrial changes before and after the transfer of endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (enMSCs) in a population of thinned endometrium women, with absence or hypo-responsiveness to estrogen and repeated implantation failure (RIF). The secondary objective was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of the intervention in terms of clinical pregnancy (CP), early abortions, ongoing pregnancy and live birth delivery rate (LBDR) per in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. METHODS: A longitudinal and experimental study. The intervention was defined as "subendometrial inoculation of enMSCs," and the post-intervention changes were evaluated by the following variables: endometrial thickness (Eth), endometrial flow cytometry (enFC), endometrial histopathology (enHP) and endometrial immunohistochemistry (enIHQ). The variables were analyzed after the intervention (Post-treatment) regarding previous values (Pretreatment). RESULTS: Eth values before and after treatment with enMSCs were 5.24±1.24 mm vs. 9.93±0.77 (p=0.000), respectively. Endometrial Flow Cytometry showed significant differences in favor of Normalized variables in the post-treatment assessment, associated with the pretreatment, LT/Li, LB/Li, NK/Li, CD8/CD3+ and CD4/CD8 (p≤0.015), respectively. Only two variables Li/PC and CD4/CD3 had NS (p=0.167 and 0.118). A similar analysis was performed on enHP with an HP increase post-treatment (p=0.007). The CP rate was 79.31% (23/29), a live birth delivery rate per embryo transfer was 45.45% (10/22) and ongoing pregnancy 7/29 (24.14%). CONCLUSION: Subendometrial enMSCs inoculation produces a significant increase in endometrial thickness; normalize the enHP, enIHQ and enFC. As a result, IVF after treatment with enMSCs yields a higher rate of CP and LBDR.

Acidithiobacillus sulfuriphilus sp. nov.: an extremely acidophilic sulfur-oxidizing chemolithotroph isolated from a neutral pH environment.

The genus Acidithiobacillus currently includes seven species with validly published names, which fall into two major groups, those that can oxidize ferrous iron and those that do not. All seven species can use zero-valent sulfur and reduced sulfur oxy-anions as electron donors, are obligately chemolithotrophic and acidophilic bacteria with pH growth optima below 3.0. The 16S rRNA gene of a novel strain (CJ-2T) isolated from circum-neutral pH mine drainage showed 95-97 % relatedness to members of the genus Acidithiobacillus. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strains and whole-genome pairwise comparisons between the CJ-2T strain and the reference genomes available for members of the genus Acidithiobacillus confirmed that CJ-2Trepresents a novel species of this genus. CJ-2T is a strict aerobe, oxidizes zero-valent sulfur and reduced inorganic sulfur compounds but does not use ferrous iron or hydrogen as electron donors. The isolate is mesophilic (optimum growth temperature 25-28 °C) and extremely acidophilic (optimum growth pH 3.0), though its pH optimum and maximum were significantly higher than those of non-iron-oxidising acidithiobacilli with validly published names. The major fatty acids of CJ-2T were C18 : 1ω7c, C:16 : 1ω7c/iso-C15 : 0 2-OH, C16 : 0 and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and the major respiratory quinone present was Q8. The name Acidithiobacillussulfuriphilus sp. nov. is proposed, the type strain is CJ-2T (=DSM 105150T=KCTC 4683T).

Nucleotide Second Messenger-Based Signaling in Extreme Acidophiles of the Acidithiobacillus Species Complex: Partition Between the Core and Variable Gene Complements.

Cyclic and linear nucleotides are key elements of the signal transduction networks linking perception of the environment to specific cellular behavior of prokaryotes. These molecular mechanisms are particularly important in bacteria exposed to different, and frequently simultaneous, types of extreme conditions. This is the case in acidithiobacilli, a group of extremophilic bacteria thriving in highly acidic biotopes, that must also cope with significant variations in temperature, osmotic potentials and concentrations of various transition metals and metalloids. Environmental cues sensed by bacteria are transduced into differential levels of nucleotides acting as intracellular second messengers, promoting the activation or inhibition of target components and eliciting different output phenotypes. Cyclic (c) di-GMP, one of the most common bacterial second messengers, plays a key role in lifestyle changes in many bacteria, including acidithiobacilli. The presence of functional c-di-GMP-dependent signal transduction pathways in representative strains of the best-known linages of this species complex has been reported. However, a comprehensive panorama of the c-di-GMP modulated networks, the cognate input signals and output responses, are still missing for this group of extremophiles. Moreover, little fundamental understanding has been gathered for other nucleotides acting as second messengers. Taking advantage of the increasing number of sequenced genomes of the taxon, here we address the challenge of disentangling the nucleotide-driven signal transduction pathways in this group of polyextremophiles using comparative genomic tools and strategies. Results indicate that the acidithiobacilli possess all the genetic elements required to establish functional transduction pathways based in three different nucleotide-second messengers: (p)ppGpp, cyclic AMP (cAMP), and c-di-GMP. The elements related with the metabolism and transduction of (p)ppGpp and cAMP appear highly conserved, integrating signals related with nutrient starvation and polyphosphate metabolism, respectively. In contrast, c-di-GMP networks appear diverse and complex, differing both at the species and strain levels. Molecular elements of c-di-GMP metabolism and transduction were mostly found scattered along the flexible genome of the acidithiobacilli, allowing the identification of probable control modules that could be critical for substrate colonization, biofilm development and intercellular interactions. These may ultimately convey increased endurance to environmental stress and increased potential for gene sharing and adaptation to changing conditions.

Phosphate Favors the Biosynthesis of CdS Quantum Dots in Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans ATCC 19703 by Improving Metal Uptake and Tolerance.

Recently, we reported the production of Cadmium sulfide (CdS) fluorescent semiconductor nanoparticles (quantum dots, QDs) by acidophilic bacteria of the Acidithiobacillus genus. Here, we report that the addition of inorganic phosphate to Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans ATCC 19703 cultures favors the biosynthesis of CdS QDs at acidic conditions (pH 3.5). The effect of pH, phosphate and cadmium concentrations on QDs biosynthesis was studied by using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), a multivariate technique for analytical optimization scarcely used in microbiological studies to date. To address how phosphate affects intracellular biosynthesis of CdS QDs, the effect of inorganic phosphate on bacterial cadmium-uptake was evaluated. By measuring intracellular levels of cadmium we determined that phosphate influences the capacity of cells to incorporate this metal. A relation between cadmium tolerance and phosphate concentrations was also determined, suggesting that phosphate participates in the adaptation of bacteria to toxic levels of this metal. In addition, QDs-biosynthesis was also favored by the degradation of intracellular polyphosphates. Altogether, our results indicate that phosphate contributes to A. thiooxidans CdS QDs biosynthesis by influencing cadmium uptake and cadmium tolerance. These QDs may also be acting as a nucleation point for QDs formation at acidic pH. This is the first study reporting the effect of phosphates on QDs biosynthesis and describes a new cadmium-response pathway present in A. thiooxidans and most probably in other bacterial species.

Biofilm Formation by the Acidophile Bacterium Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans Involves c-di-GMP Pathway and Pel exopolysaccharide.

Acidophile bacteria belonging to the Acidithiobacillus genus are pivotal players for the bioleaching of metallic values such as copper. Cell adherence to ores and biofilm formation, mediated by the production of extracellular polymeric substances, strongly favors bioleaching activity. In recent years, the second messenger cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) has emerged as a central regulator for biofilm formation in bacteria. C-di-GMP pathways have been reported in different Acidithiobacillus species; however, c-di-GMP effectors and signal transduction networks are still largely uncharacterized in these extremophile species. Here we investigated Pel exopolysaccharide and its role in biofilm formation by sulfur-oxidizing species Acidithiobacillusthiooxidans. We identified 39 open reading frames (ORFs) encoding proteins involved in c-di-GMP metabolism and signal transduction, including the c-di-GMP effector protein PelD, a structural component of the biosynthesis apparatus for Pel exopolysaccharide production. We found that intracellular c-di-GMP concentrations and transcription levels of pel genes were higher in At. thiooxidans biofilm cells compared to planktonic ones. By developing an At. thiooxidans ΔpelD null-mutant strain we revealed that Pel exopolysaccharide is involved in biofilm structure and development. Further studies are still necessary to understand how Pel biosynthesis is regulated in Acidithiobacillus species, nevertheless these results represent the first characterization of a c-di-GMP effector protein involved in biofilm formation by acidophile species.