Risk of Illness with Salmonella Spp. and Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella sp. due to Consumption of Lettuce Irrigated with Water from La Ramada Irrigation District.

Despite heavy contamination of the Bogotá River with domestic and industrial waste, it remains vital for various purposes, including agricultural use at La Ramada Irrigation District. There are important concerns regarding pathogen concentrations in irrigation water at La Ramada, including the presence of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella spp. This study aimed to estimate the risk of Salmonella-related illness from consuming lettuce irrigated with Bogotá River water at La Ramada. We collected lettuce samples from 4 different sites, all irrigated with water from La Ramada. The methodology involved a process to detach Salmonella spp. from lettuce leaves, quantification through plate counts on SS agar, and establishment of antibiotic-resistant bacteria concentrations through growth on media supplemented with ampicillin or ciprofloxacin. The results showed concentrations of Salmonella spp. of 103.59,102.66, and 104.56 CFU/g lettuce at sites 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and ampicillin-resistant Salmonella spp. of 101.93, 101.31, and 102.07 CFU/g lettuce at sites 1, 2, and 3, respectively. No colonies were obtained from lettuce samples collected from site 4. Notably, we detected no isolates resistant to ciprofloxacin at any of the sites. Salmonella spp. concentrations varied greatly among sampling sites. Salmonella spp. concentrations were used to predict the daily probability of illness, with a probability of 0.59 (0.33 to 0.78, CI 95%) for Salmonella spp. and 0.3 (0.03 to 0.53, CI 95%) for ampicillin-resistant Salmonella spp.

Computationally Guided Tuning of Peptide-Conjugated Perylene Diimide Self-Assembly.

Peptide-π-conjugated materials are important for biointerfacing charge-transporting applications due to their aqueous compatibility and formation of long-range π-electron networks. Perylene diimides (PDIs), well-established charge-transporting π systems, can self-assemble in aqueous solutions when conjugated with amino acids. In this work, we leveraged computational guidance from our previous work to access two different self-assembled architectures from PDI-amino acid conjugates. Furthermore, we expanded the design rule to other sequences to learn that the closest amino acids to the π core have a significant effect on the photophysical properties of the resulting assemblies. By simply altering glycine to alanine at the closest residue position, we observed significantly different electronic properties as revealed through UV-vis, photoluminescence, and circular dichroism spectroscopies. Accompanying molecular dynamics simulations revealed two distinct types of self-assembled architectures: cofacial structures when the smaller glycine residue is at the closest residue position to the π core versus rotationally shifted structures when glycine is substituted for the larger alanine. This study illustrates the use of tandem computations and experiments to unearth and understand new design rules for supramolecular materials and exposes a modest amino acid substitution as a means to predictably modulate the supramolecular organization and engineer the photophysical properties of π-conjugated peptidic materials.

Outcomes of a Hybrid Ophthalmology Telemedicine Model for Outpatient Eye Care During COVID-19.

Importance: The hybrid ophthalmology telemedicine model asynchronously pairs an imaging appointment by a technician with a subsequent virtual appointment by a clinician. Although it has been mentioned in several studies as an alternative to standard in-person care during the COVID-19 pandemic, outcomes of this alternative clinical care model remain to be evaluated. Objective: To investigate the outcomes associated with the hybrid ophthalmology telemedicine model during the COVID-19 pandemic for nonurgent and nonprocedural ophthalmological care. Design, Setting, and Participants: Retrospective, cross-sectional study of all hybrid visits scheduled during the year 2020 in a single academic, hospital-based eye clinic in Boston, Massachusetts. All hybrid ophthalmology telemedicine visits completed in the year 2020 by opthalmologists and optometrists were included. Data were analyzed from January to December 2020. Exposures: Hybrid telemedicine clinical encounters. Main Outcomes and Measures: Four outcome metrics were calculated: (1) need for subsequent procedure visit, (2) medication change, (3) nonurgent, and (4) urgent consultation with another eye clinician. Adverse outcomes were defined as irreversible vision loss and the need for additional in-person evaluation to reach a management decision. Results: From April 9 to December 30, 2020, 889 patients (506 female patients [56.9%]; mean [SD] age, 62.1 [14.5] years; age range, 13-98 years) completed 940 hybrid visits. The most common visit indications were glaucoma (424 visits [45.1%]) and retinal diseases (499 visits [53.1%]). A total of 25 visits (2.7%) led to a procedure, 22 visits (2.3%) led to a change in medication, and 44 visits (4.7%) were referred for nonurgent consultation with another subspecialty with no instances of urgent referrals. Sixteen patients (1.7%) were referred to the on-call clinician for a same-day emergency in-person visit or recommended for a subsequent standard in-person visit to reach a management decision. There were no cases of irreversible vision loss following a hybrid visit. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that with the appropriate patient selection and clinical setting, the hybrid ophthalmology telemedicine model may be a good alternative to standard in-person visits, particularly for patients with glaucoma and retinal diseases.

Association Between IRF6 Variants and Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip With or Without Cleft Palate in Chile.

The aim of this study was to assess the association between IRF6 single nucleotide polymorphisms and nonsyndromic cleft lip, with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P), in a Chilean population, based on a case-control sample and confirmed in a case-parent trio population. In a sample of 150 Chilean case-parent trios and 164 controls (cohort 1), we evaluated the association between three common IRF6 variants (rs764093, rs2236909, rs2235375) and NSCL/P using odds ratio (OR) for case-control and case-parent trios and in a combined OR of both designs. To confirm associations from the cohort 1, we increased the sample size to 215 triads and 320 controls (cohort 1 + cohort 2). The combined OR for the cohort 1 reveals that the rs2235375 C allele is associated with NSCL/P in Chile (OR 1.34; p = 0.013), which was supported by the results for the two cohorts (OR 1.29; p = 0.006). Bioinformatic prediction showed that this variant, located 27 bp downstream from IRF6 exon 6, potentially alters the splicing process and based on functional annotations is associated with a decrease of gene expression. We propose that the C allele of rs2235375 from IRF6 gene seems to be a risk factor for NSCL/P in a Chilean population. However, we cannot discard a population stratification bias in our findings. On the other hand, further studies are necessary to confirm the biological role of rs2235375 in IRF6 function at craniofacial development level.

[Carbapenemases in Pseudomonas aeruginosa with decreased susceptibility to carbapenems after a decade: from VIM to KPC]. / Carbapenemasas en Pseudomonas aeruginosa con susceptibilidad disminuida a los carbapenémicos después de una década, desde VIM a KPC.

BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a relevant infectious agent affecting patients within health care setting; this situation is worsening with the appearance of strains resistance to carbapenems. AIMS: To study carbapenemase production in P. aeruginosa with decreased susceptibility to carbapenems processed in the microbiology laboratory of the Health Network UC-CHRISTUS in 2014-2015 and compare them with the strains studied in 2004-2005. METHODS: Between January 2014 and June 2015, 459 strains of P. aeruginosa from clinical samples were isolated. Susceptibility was determined by dilution in agar and strains with reduced susceptibility to carbapenems were tested for carbaNP. Positive strains were studied by PCR for blaVIM, blaVIM-1, blaVIM-2, blaIMP, blaNDM, blaKPC, blaOXA and blaIMI genes. Pulsed field electrophoresis was performed on selected strains. RESULTS: From 459 strains studied, 300 had reduced susceptibility to carbapenems (65.3%). Of these, 183 were viable for study, corresponding to 164 patients. The carbaNP test was positive in 44 strains of the 183 strains (24%). The resistance genes found were: blaVIM-2 in 35 strains, blaKPC-2+VIM-2 in 7 strains and blaKPC-2 in 2 strains. In the blaKPC-2 strains clonal relation between them was found. CONCLUSIONS: A 65.3% of P. aeruginosa presented decreased susceptibility to carbapenems being the presence of carbapenemases not the main resistance mechanism. In addition, the emergence in Chile of P. aeruginosa strains with bla of the KPC-2 type alone or in combination with VIM-2 is described.

[Transoperative tamponade due to perforation with a catheter for central blood pressure: report and case analysis]. / Tamponade transoperatorio debido a perforación con catéter venoso central. Informe y análisis de un caso.

Pericardial tamponade due to myocardial perforation from central venous catheter is rather unusual, especially if it happens during a trans-operative period. When it comes up, it has a high mortality risk if the pericardial fluid is not drained at the proper time. At the Oncology Hospital of the National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City (Hospital de Oncología del Centro Médico Nacional, Siglo XXI), at the Anesthesia Service, a case of tamponade in transoperative period came up, after a surgical procedure that lasted more than 6 hours, and that manifested itself with signs of cardiogenic shock that did not improve with treatment. The etiology was not diagnosed until a postmortem study. If it had been diagnosed on time, its clinical evolution would have been different with an opportune and correct treatment.

Carbapenemasas en Pseudomonas aeruginosa con susceptibilidad disminuida a los carbapenémicos después de una década, desde VIM a KPC / Carbapenemases in Pseudomonas aeruginosa with decreased susceptibility to carbapenems after a decade: from VIM to KPC

Resumen Introducción: Pseudomonas aeruginosa es relevante en infecciones asociadas a la atención de salud, principalmente cuando presenta resistencia a carbapenémicos. Objetivos: Estudiar la producción de carbapenemasas en P. aeruginosa, con susceptibilidad disminuida a carbapenémicos procesadas en el Laboratorio de Microbiología de la Red de Salud UC-CHRISTUS entre 2014-2015, y compararlas con las cepas estudiadas en 2004-2005. Métodos: Entre enero de 2014 y junio de 2015, se aislaron 459 cepas de P. aeruginosa provenientes de muestras clínicas. La susceptibilidad fue determinada por dilución en agar y a las cepas con susceptibilidad disminuida a carbapenémicos se les realizó test de carbaNP. Las cepas positivas fueron estudiadas por RPC para genes blaVIM, blaVIM-1, blaVIM-2, blaIMP, blaNDM, blaKPC, blaOXA y blaIMI. Se realizó en cepas seleccionadas electroforesis de campo pulsado. Resultados: De las 459 cepas estudiadas, 300 presentaban susceptibilidad disminuida a carbapenémicos (65,3%). De éstas, 183 fueron viables para estudio, correspondientes a 164 pacientes. El test de carbaNP fue positivo en 44 cepas de las 183 cepas (24%). Los genes de resistencia encontrados fueron: blaVIM-2 en 35 cepas, blaKPC-2+VIM-2 en 7 cepas y blaKPC-2 en 2 cepas. En las cepas blaKPC-2 se encontró relación clonal entre ellas. Conclusiones: Un 65,3% de P. aeruginosa presentó susceptibilidad disminuida a carbapenémicos, observándose que la presencia de carbapenemasas no es el principal mecanismo de resistencia. Además, se describe la emergencia en Chile de cepas de P. aeruginosa con carbapenemasas del tipo KPC-2 sola o en combinación con VIM-2.

Abstract Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a relevant infectious agent affecting patients within health care setting; this situation is worsening with the appearance of strains resistance to carbapenems. Aims: To study carbapenemase production in P. aeruginosa with decreased susceptibility to carbapenems processed in the microbiology laboratory of the Health Network UC-CHRISTUS in 2014-2015 and compare them with the strains studied in 2004-2005. Methods: Between January 2014 and June 2015, 459 strains of P. aeruginosa from clinical samples were isolated. Susceptibility was determined by dilution in agar and strains with reduced susceptibility to carbapenems were tested for carbaNP. Positive strains were studied by PCR for blaVIM, blaVIM-1, blaVIM-2, blaIMP, blaNDM, blaKPC, blaOXA and blaIMI genes. Pulsed field electrophoresis was performed on selected strains. Results: From 459 strains studied, 300 had reduced susceptibility to carbapenems (65.3%). Of these, 183 were viable for study, corresponding to 164 patients. The carbaNP test was positive in 44 strains of the 183 strains (24%). The resistance genes found were: blaVIM-2 in 35 strains, blaKPC-2+VIM-2 in 7 strains and blaKPC-2 in 2 strains. In the blaKPC-2 strains clonal relation between them was found. Conclusions: A 65.3% of P. aeruginosa presented decreased susceptibility to carbapenems being the presence of carbapenemases not the main resistance mechanism. In addition, the emergence in Chile of P. aeruginosa strains with bla of the KPC-2 type alone or in combination with VIM-2 is described.

Caries e higiene oral en escolares de enseñanza básica de Santiago el año 1982 / Dental caries and oral hygiene in primary education schoolchildren from Santiago, 1982

Con la finalidad de diagnosticar el estado de salud bucal que presenta el niño al ingresar y al egresar de la enseñanza básica, se determinó la prevalencia de caries y la higiene bucal en escolares de 1o. y 8o. año. Para ello se midió el índice de caries en dentición temporal y definitiva, coed y COPD, respectivamente, y el Indice de Higiene Oral Simplificado (IHOS) de Greene y Vermillion, sólo para material alba. Se observó un grado de daño dentario alto en ambos niveles escolares. Los escolares de 8o. año presentaron más daño dentario que los de 1o. básico. Este daño incluía a los primeros molares definitivos. La higiene bucal fue deficiente en ambos grupos etarios. Se encontró una relación significativa entre índice coed e IHOS, lo que no se observó al relacionar estas variables en dentición definitiva

Anomalías dentomaxilares en preescolares desnutridos / Dentomaxillary anomalies in undernourished preschool children

Se estudió la prevalencia de anomalías dentomaxilares en una muestra de 908 preescolares de 5 años de edad, desnutridos y normales, de las ciudades de Santiago, Arica e Iquique. Las anomalías dentomaxilares encontradas con mayor frecuencia fueron: interferencias cuspídeas de caninos y molares, mordida abierta por succión o interposición lingual y protrusión incisiva superior por succión. Se detectó una asociación entre mordida abierta, protrusión incisiva superior y malos hábitos, tales como succión del dedo y/o mamadera y/o interposición lingual, presentándose esta situación con mayor frecuencia en niños desnutridos. Se encontró más anomalías dentomaxilares en los preescolares de Santiago comparados con los de Arica e Iquique. El porcentaje de niños portadores de anomalías dentomaxilares fue similar entre niños desnutridos y normales de las tres ciudades, sin observarse una influencia determinante del factor nutricional sobre la prevalencia de estas anomalías

Caries, higiene oral y potencial cariogénico de la dieta en preescolares de distinto nivel socioeconómico / Dental caries, oral hygiene and diet cariogenic potential in preschool children from different socioeconomic level

Se determinó la prevalencia de caries, higiene bucal e índice de potencial cariogénico dela dieta en prescolares de diferente nivel socioeconómico, para evaluar la influencia de éste sobre las otras variables. El daño dentario por caries se midió usando el ídice de caries para dentición temporal coed. La higiene se evaluó a través del índice de higiene oral simplificado (IHOS) de Greene y Vermillion, sólo para material alba. El índice de potencial cariogénico (IPC) de la dieta se determinó mediante la aplicación de una encuesta de alimentos cariogénicos en cada preescolar. Se encontró una relación significativa al comparar nivel socioeconómico con las variables índice de careis coed, índice de potencial cariogénico, e índice de higiene oral, lo que se traduce en que los niños de nivel socioeconómico bajo tenían caries, consumían una dieta de mayor cariogenicidad y tenían peor higiene que los niños de niveles medio y alto. No se encontró relación significativa entre índice de caries, coed, e IPC, lo que se atribuye a que la encuesta no refleja el real consumo de alimentos cariogénicos