Utilization Efficiency of Human Milk Oligosaccharides by Human-Associated Akkermansia Is Strain Dependent.

Akkermansia muciniphila is a mucin-degrading bacterium found in the human gut and is often associated with positive human health. However, despite being detected by as early as 1 month of age, little is known about the role of Akkermansia in the infant gut. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are abundant components of human milk and are structurally similar to the oligosaccharides that comprise mucin, the preferred growth substrate of human-associated Akkermansia. A limited subset of intestinal bacteria has been shown to grow well on HMOs and mucin. We therefore examined the ability of genomically diverse strains of Akkermansia to grow on HMOs. First, we screened 85 genomes representing the four known Akkermansia phylogroups to examine their metabolic potential to degrade HMOs. Furthermore, we examined the ability of representative isolates to grow on individual HMOs in a mucin background and analyzed the resulting metabolites. All Akkermansia genomes were equipped with an array of glycoside hydrolases associated with HMO deconstruction. Representative strains were all able to grow on HMOs with various efficiencies and growth yields. Strain CSUN-19, belonging to the AmIV phylogroup, grew to the highest level in the presence of fucosylated and sialylated HMOs. This activity may be partially related to the increased copy numbers and/or the enzyme activities of the α-fucosidases, α-sialidases, and ß-galactosidases. This study examines the utilization of individual purified HMOs by Akkermansia strains representing all known phylogroups. Further studies are required to examine how HMO ingestion influences gut microbial ecology in infants harboring different Akkermansia phylogroups. IMPORTANCE Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are the third most abundant component of breast milk and provide several benefits to developing infants, including the recruitment of beneficial bacteria to the human gut. Akkermansia strains are largely considered beneficial bacteria and have been detected in colostrum, breast milk, and young infants. A. muciniphila MucT, belonging to the AmI phylogroup, contributes to the HMO deconstruction capacity of the infant. Here, using phylogenomics, we examined the genomic capacities of four Akkermansia phylogroups to deconstruct HMOs. Indeed, each phylogroup contained differences in their genomic capacities to deconstruct HMOs, and representative strains of each phylogroup were able to grow using HMOs. These Akkermansia-HMO interactions potentially influence gut microbial ecology in early life, a critical time for the development of the gut microbiome and infant health.

von Willebrand Disease and other hereditary haemostatic factor deficiencies in women with a history of postpartum haemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is the main cause of maternal morbidity and mortality globally, but it is far more important in non-developed countries. PPH represents 25% of all maternal deaths worldwide. Women with von Willebrand disease (VWD) and other inherited haemorrhagic disorders are at increased risk of PPH. Our aim was to establish a probable association of severe PPH in women with a history of haemostatic abnormalities. METHODS: An observational, controlled study of adult women with a one or more episodes of severe PPH requiring treatment in an intensive care unit or >10 units of blood products during the 24-hour period after diagnosis and their controls. The tests performed were blood cell count, blood group, renal, viral, liver function and haemostatic tests, fibrinogen, activity of the plasma factors and specific test to diagnose and classify VWD. RESULTS: We included 124 women with 133 PPH events and their controls. The median age at the first event was 25.5 years old. Results were significantly different between the groups in terms of fibrinogen concentration, VWF:Ag, VWF:RCo and FVIII. A specific diagnosis was established in 69 (55.6) and 4 (3.2%) patients in the PPH group and controls, respectively. Of 61 patients with VWD, 57 had type 1, two had type 2A, and another two had type 2B. CONCLUSION: Our results show a relationship between PPH and inherited haemostatic disorders. VWD was the most frequent diagnosis. Appropriate and opportune diagnosis before pregnancy of inherited haemostatic disorders may be important to effectively prevent and treat PPH.

Effect of a natural supplement containing glucosinolates, phytosterols and citrus flavonoids on body weight and metabolic parameters in a menopausal murine model induced by bilateral ovariectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a herbal preparation containing glucosinolates, phytosterols and citrus flavonoids (supplement) on body weight and metabolic parameters usually impaired by menopause. METHODS: A pre-clinical experimental study carried out in twenty-five Swiss strain mice (Mus musculus) randomly distributed (1:1:1:1:1 ratio) to five groups to receive for ten weeks: (1) oral gelatinized maca extract 0.5625 mg/kg/day + bilateral ovariectomy (Maca + OVX); (2) oral supplement 0.5625 mg/kg/day + bilateral ovariectomy (S1 + OVX); (3) oral supplement 1.6875 mg/kg/day + bilateral ovariectomy (S2 + OVX); (4) oral saline 100 µl/kg/day + bilateral ovariectomy (OVX); and (5) oral saline 100 µl/kg/day + sham surgery (sham). The primary endpoint was change in body weight gain from baseline to final. Secondary endpoints were uterine weight and cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, and glucose/triglycerides index values at the end of the study. A modified intention-to-treat analysis was performed through linear regression models and using the Bonferroni method to penalized p-values by multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Twenty-three animals completed the study. There was a significant average difference in weight gain, with a greater reduction in the S2 + OVX group compared to the OVX group (difference= -3.5; 95% CI (-5.27; -1.74); p < .001). S2 + OVX group also displayed a significant average reduction of total blood cholesterol (difference: -16.94; 95% CI (-33.73; -0.15); p = .037). No significant effects of the supplement were found on other secondary endpoints. CONCLUSION: In this murine menopausal model, triple oral supplement dose resulted in an average reduction of weight gain and total cholesterol levels, suggesting that the compound could have a potential effect at regulating menopausal altered metabolism.

The regulatory effect of bromocriptine on cardiac hypertrophy by prolactin and D2 receptor modulation.

BACKGROUND: Bromocriptine, a dopamine agonist, used for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia, type 2 diabetes, ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome, has also effects on the cardiac remodeling process, but the mechanism of action is unknown. The aim of this work was to determinate the effect during hypertrophic process through molecular mechanisms that include prolactin receptor (Prlr) and receptor of dopamine 2 (D2 r) expression. METHODS: We used a model of cardiac hypertrophy induced by an aortocaval fistula (ACF) surgery in rats. Protein concentrations of D2 r and Prlr were determined by western blotting. The treatment consisted in water (control), captopril (50 mg/kg/day), bromocriptine (3 mg/kg/day), and ACF group (n = 6 per group). RESULTS: Our results showed that bromocriptine treatment decreases the hypertrophy index. Treatment with bromocriptine increases the protein expression of Prlr and D2 r in the cardiac tissue of rats with cardiac hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that bromocriptine has a protective effect on cardiac hypertrophy, and due to this effect, it may modulate the expression of Prlr and D2 r, which are involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy.

Preparation and Characterization of Poly(lactic acid) Membranes and Films Coated with Polyaniline for Potential Use in Environmental Remediation.

This research outlines the fabrication of polymeric membranes and films of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), prepared via electrospinning and extrusion, respectively. These materials were subsequently coated with polyaniline (PANi) by using the in situ chemical polymerization technique. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs revealed that the best coatings were achieved when 3 and 30 min of contact time with the monomeric solution were used for the membrane and film, respectively. Additionally, Fourier transform infrared spectra, thermogravimetric studies, and contact angle measurements demonstrated proper interaction between PLA and PANi. The findings of these studies suggest that PLA membranes and films can serve as suitable substrates for the deposition of PANi, and the composite materials hold potential for use in environmental remediation applications.

Study of Electrospun Membranes Composed of PCL and Tilapia-Skin Collagen with Tetracycline or Chloramphenicol in Contact with Human Skin Fibroblasts for Wound Dressing Treatment.

Diabetic foot ulcers are a common complication of diabetes mellitus and can lead to severe infections and delayed wound healing. The development of effective wound dressings is crucial to promoting faster healing and preventing infections. This investigation aims to fabricate and characterize electrospun meshes composed of poly(ε-caprolactone) and collagen, extracted from tilapia skin. Additionally, tetracycline and chloramphenicol were incorporated into the dressings to explore their potential to combat wound infections. A comprehensive characterization was carried out, covering the physical structure, chemical composition, and potential application-related properties of the materials by the combination of scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), mechanical analysis, cell viability, live/dead staining, and microbiological analysis. Changes in mechanical properties were observed, related to the morphology of the membranes; the presence of the active molecules is evidenced by FTIR analysis; cell viability above control was observed for all the prepared membranes, and they were active in antimicrobial tests, suggesting that the developed materials have the potential to be further explored as wound dressings or scaffolds for diabetic foot ulcers.

Gram-Negative ESKAPE Bacteria Surveillance in COVID-19 Pandemic Exposes High-Risk Sequence Types of Acinetobacter baumannii MDR in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

The interruption of bacteriological surveillance due to the COVID-19 pandemic brought serious consequences, such as the collapse of health systems and the possible increase in antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, it is necessary to know the rate of resistance and its associated mechanisms in bacteria causing hospital infections during the pandemic. The aim of this work was to show the phenotypic and molecular characteristics of antimicrobial resistance in ESKAPE bacteria in a Mexican tertiary care hospital in the second and third years of the pandemic. For this purpose, during 2021 and 2022, two hundred unduplicated strains of the ESKAPE group (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii) were collected from various clinical sources and categorized by resistance according to the CLSI. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) complemented by the Tukey test was performed to search for changes in antimicrobial susceptibility profiles during the study period. Finally, the mechanisms of resistance involved in carbapenem resistance were analyzed, and the search for efflux pumps and high-risk sequence types in A. baumannii was performed by multilocus analysis (MLST). The results showed no changes in K. pneumoniae resistance during the period analyzed. Decreases in quinolone resistance were identified in E. coli (p = 0.039) and P. aeruginosa (p = 0.03). Interestingly, A. baumannii showed increases in resistance to penicillins (p = 0.004), aminoglycosides (p < 0.001, p = 0.027), carbapenems (p = 0.027), and folate inhibitors (p = 0.001). Several genes involved in carbapenem resistance were identified (blaNDM, blaVIM, blaOXA, blaKPC, blaOXA-40, and blaOXA-48) with a predominance of blaOXA-40 and the adeABCRS efflux pump in A. baumannii. Finally, MLST analysis revealed the presence of globally distributed sequence types (ST369 and ST758) related to hospital outbreaks in other parts of the world. The results presented demonstrate that the ESKAPE group has played an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic as nosocomial antibiotic-resistant pathogens and in particular A. baumannii MDR as a potential reservoir of resistance genes. The implications of the increases in antimicrobial resistance in pathogens of the ESKAPE group and mainly in A. baumannii during the COVID-19 pandemic are analyzed and discussed.

Electroacupuncture efficacy in diabetic polyneuropathy: Study protocol for a double-blinded randomized controlled multicenter clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); its diagnosis and treatment are based on symptomatic improvement. However, as pharmacological therapy causes multiple adverse effects, the implementation of acupunctural techniques, such as electroacupuncture (EA) has been suggested as an alternative treatment. Nonetheless, there is a lack of scientific evidence, and its mechanisms are still unclear. We present the design and methodology of a new clinical randomized trial, that investigates the effectiveness of EA for the treatment of DPN. METHODS: This study is a four-armed, randomized, controlled, multicenter clinical trial (20-week intervention period, plus 12 weeks of follow-up after concluding intervention). A total of 48 T2DM patients with clinical signs and symptoms of DPN; and electrophysiological signs in the Nerve Conduction Study (NCS); will be treated by acupuncture specialists in outpatient units in Mexico City. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to one of the following four groups: (a) short fibre DPN with EA, (b) short fibre DPN with sham EA, (c) axonal DPN with EA and (d) axonal DPN with sham EA treatment. The intervention will consist of 32 sessions, 20 min each, per patient over two cycles of intervention of 8 weeks each and a mid-term rest period of 4 weeks. The primary outcome will be NCS parameters, and secondary outcomes will include DPN-related symptoms and pain by Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI), Michigan Diabetic Neuropathy Score (MDNS), Dolour Neuropatique Score (DN-4), Semmes-Westein monofilament, Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain assessment, and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). To measure quality of life and improve oxidative stress, the inflammatory response; and genetic expression; will be analysed at the beginning and at the end of treatment. DISCUSSION: This study will be conducted to compare the efficacy of EA versus sham EA combined with conventional diabetic and neuropathic treatments if needed. EA may improve NCS, neuropathic pain and symptoms, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and genetic expression, and it could be considered a potential coadjutant treatment for the management of DPN with a possible remyelinating effect. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT05521737 Registered on 30 August 2022. International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) ISRCTN97391213 Registered on 26 September 2022 [2b].

Fragmentation of Atlantic forest has not affected gene flow of a widespread seed-dispersing bat.

Habitat loss and resultant fragmentation are major threats to biodiversity, particularly in tropical and subtropical ecosystems. It is increasingly urgent to understand fragmentation effects, which are often complex and vary across taxa, time and space. We determined whether recent fragmentation of Atlantic forest is causing population subdivision in a widespread and important Neotropical seed disperser: Artibeus lituratus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae). Genetic structure within highly fragmented forest in Paraguay was compared to that in mostly contiguous forest in neighbouring Misiones, Argentina. Further, observed genetic structure across the fragmented landscape was compared with expected levels of structure for similar time spans in realistic simulated landscapes under different degrees of reduction in gene flow. If fragmentation significantly reduced successful dispersal, greater population differentiation and stronger isolation by distance would be expected in the fragmented than in the continuous landscape, and genetic structure in the fragmented landscape should be similar to structure for simulated landscapes where dispersal had been substantially reduced. Instead, little genetic differentiation was observed, and no significant correlation was found between genetic and geographic distance in fragmented or continuous landscapes. Furthermore, comparison of empirical and simulated landscapes indicated empirical results were consistent with regular long-distance dispersal and high migration rates. Our results suggest maintenance of high gene flow for this relatively mobile and generalist species, which could be preventing or significantly delaying reduction in population connectivity in fragmented habitat. Our conclusions apply to A. lituratus in Interior Atlantic Forest, and do not contradict broad evidence that habitat fragmentation is contributing to extinction of populations and species, and poses a threat to biodiversity worldwide.

Dermatoscopic Patterns in Childhood Vitiligo and Their Association With Reflectance Confocal Microscopy Findings.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of vitiligo is mainly based on clinical findings. However, dermoscopy or reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) could be useful for assessing its progression (stability, pigmen-tation, or depigmentation). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the correlation of dermatological findings by dermoscopy and RCM in pediatric vitiligo. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical clinical study. Pediatric patients with vitiligo of both sexes, aged > 1 year and < 18 years, with all spectrums of the disease were includ-ed. Vitiligo lesions were evaluated clinically, by dermoscopy, and microscopy. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients with vitiligo were included. Eight dermoscopic patterns were found: reduced/absent pigment network, perifollicular pigmentation, trichromic, tapioca sago, perifollicular depigmentation, starburst, leukotrichia, and erythema. Skin with a normal pigment network showed complete dermal papillary rings and half-rings. Skin with reduced/absent pigment network also had an absence of papillary rings or only showed half-rings and was more common in unstable vitiligo. The trichrome pattern only showed half-rings. The Tapioca sago pattern showed complete papillary rings and appeared in younger patients. Perifollicular pigmentation showed half-rings and complete rings and did not show associations. The diffuse borders did not present complete papillary structures. It was found that vitiligo duration time of fewer than 24 months (Odds Ratio 4.56, CI 1.09-18.99) and absent papillary rings (OR 2.75, CI 1.01-7.51) are associated with unstable prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Certain dermatoscopic and microscopic findings, such as the reduction/absence of the pigment network, tapioca sago pattern, and absence of papillary rings, can be used to assess the stabil-ity of the disease and provide insight into the clinical behaviour of vitiligo.

Abundance and distribution of cigarette butts on the sand of five touristic beaches in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cigarette butts (CB) and cigarette butt fibers (CBF) are highly abundant and frequent residues on beach sand. Also, they are hazardous waste due to their significant toxicity and potential risk to the ecosystems' biota and the health of beach tourists. This study aimed to determine the abundance and density of CB and CBF found on the active, rest, and service zones of five pilot beaches in Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Mexico. The methodology involved collecting CB and CBF in 500 m2 transects of urban tourist beaches using a citizen science-adapted methodology between June 2021 and May 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The abundance and density of CB and CBF, and the Cigarette Butt Pollution Index (CBPI) were calculated. The highest proportion of CB was found in service and rest areas. Bocagrande (CO) reported the highest generation of CB and CBF and a severe CBPI.

Molecular Characterization of Bacterial Agents Causing External Ocular Infections Isolates of Patients in a Third Level Hospital.

Empirical use of antibiotics in the treatment of eye infections leads to bacterial pathogens becoming resistant to antibiotics; consequently, treatment failure and eye health complications occur. The aim of this study was to describe the phenotype and genotype of the resistance and adherence of bacterial agents causing eye infections in patients at Hospital Juárez de México. An observational, prospective, cross-sectional, and descriptive study was carried out in patients with signs and symptoms of ocular infection. Bacterial agents were isolated and identified by classical microbiology and mass spectrometry. Antibiotic resistance and adherence profiles were determined. Finally, resistance (mecA/SCCmec) and virulence (icaA and icaD) genes were detected in the Gram-positive population. The results showed that blepharitis was the most prevalent condition in the study population. A MALDI-TOF analysis revealed that Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas genus were the most prevalent as causal agents of infection. Resistances to ß-lactams were detected of 44 to 100%, followed by clindamycins, aminoglycosides, folate inhibitors, and nitrofurans. A multiple correspondence analysis showed a relationship between mecA genotype and ß-lactams resistance. The identification of SCCmecIII and SCCmecIV elements suggested community and hospital sources of infection. Finally, the coexistence of icaA+/icaD+/mecA(SCCmecIII) and icaA+/icaD+/mecA(SCCmecIV) genotypes was detected in S. aureus. The identification of resistant and virulent isolates highlights the importance of developing protocols that address the timely diagnosis of ocular infections. Herein, implications for the failure of antimicrobial therapy in the treatment of ocular infections in susceptible patients are analysed and discussed.

Mortality and Survival Factors in Patients with Moderate and Severe Pneumonia Due to COVID-19.

During the pandemic, some mortality-related factors were age, sex, comorbidities (obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension), recovery time, hospitalizations, and biochemical markers. The present work aimed to identify the mortality and survival factors in adults with moderate and severe pneumonia due to COVID-19 during the first and second waves of the pandemic in Mexico at a third-level hospital (High-Specialty Regional Hospital of Ixtapaluca (HRAEI), Ixtapaluca, Estado de Mexico, Mexico). A database was generated using information from the electronic clinical records of patients hospitalized from December 2021 to August 2022. Survival analysis was performed associating age, sex, longer recovery times, and some drugs. The risk factors found were age in the patients between 40 and 60 years (OR = 1.70), male sex (OR = 1.53), the presence of comorbidities (OR = 1.66) and hypertension (OR = 2.19), work occupation (construction workers OR = 5.22, factory workers OR = 3.13, unemployed OR = 2.93), the prehospital use of metamizole sodium (OR = 2.17), cough (OR = 1.73), and in-hospital oxygen therapy (reservoir mask OR = 6.6). The survival factors found in this study were working in the healthcare field (OR = 0.26), the prehospital use of certain medications (paracetamol OR = 0.65, dexamethasone OR = 0.55, and azithromycin OR = 0.47), presenting ageusia (OR = 0.5) and hyporexia (OR = 0.34), and the time using in-hospital oxygen therapy (device 1 OR = 0.72). Prehospital treatment needs to be reevaluated as dexamethasone and azithromycin proved to be protective factors. Likewise, providing aggressive oxygen therapy during hospital admission decreased mortality risk.

Association of the rs5186 polymorphism of the AGTR1 gene with decreased eGFR in patients with type 2 diabetes from Mexico City.

BACKGROUND: Early biomarkers search for Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), as genetic markers to identify vulnerable carriers of the disease even before Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) decline or microalbuminuria development, has been relevant during the last few years. The rs5186 (A116C) polymorphism of the Angiotensin II Receptor Type I gene (AGTR1), has been associated to multiple effects of renal injury risk, commonly detected in patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM). It has been described that rs5186 could have an effect in stability proteins that assemble Angiotensin II Receptor Type I (AT1), modifying its action, which is why it should be considered as a risk factor for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), characterized by a GFR progressive reduction. Even though, the association between rs5186 AGTR1 gene polymorphism and DKD in patients with T2DM has been controversial, inconclusive, and even absent. This disputable issue might be as a result of association studies in which many and varied clinical phenotypes included are contemplated as CKD inductors and enhancers. Although, the sample sizes studied in patients with T2DM are undersized and did not have a strict inclusion criteria, lacking of biochemical markers or KDOQI classification, which have hindered its examination. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to establish an association between rs5186 AGTR1 gene polymorphism and GFR depletion, assessed as a risk factor to DKD development in patients with T2DM. METHODS: We analyzed 297 not related patients with T2DM, divided into 221 controls (KDOQI 1) and 76 cases (KDOQI 2). Arterial pressure, anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured. rs5186 of AGTR1 genotyping was performed by TaqMan assay real-time PCR method. Allele and genotype frequencies, and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were measured. Normality test for data distribution was analyzed by Shapiro-Wilk test, variable comparison by Student's t-test for continuous variables, and Chi-squared test for categorical variables; ANOVA test was used for mean comparison of more than two groups. Effect of rs5186 to DKD was estimated by multiple heritability adjustment models for risk variables of DKD. Statistical significance was indicated by p<0.05. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package STATA v11 software. RESULTS: Dominant and Over-dominant models showed a likelihood ratio to GFR depletion of 1.89 (1.05-3.39, p=0.031) and 2.01 (1.08-3.73, p=0.023) in patients with T2DM. Risk factor increased to 2.54 (1.10-5.89) in women in Over-dominant model. CONCLUSION: In clinical practice, most of nephropathies progress at a slow pace into a total breakdown of renal function, even asymptomatic. This is the first study, reporting that rs5186 polymorphism of AGTR1 gene contribution to GFR depletion, and this could be evaluated as a predisposing factor for DKD in patients with T2DM.

Typing of Candida spp. from Colonized COVID-19 Patients Reveal Virulent Genetic Backgrounds and Clonal Dispersion.

Advances in the knowledge of the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 allowed the survival of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units. However, due to the clinical characteristics of severe patients, they resulted in the appearance of colonization events. Therefore, we speculate that strains of Candida spp. isolated from COVID-19 patients have virulent genetic and phenotypic backgrounds involved in clinical worsening of patients. The aim of this work was to virutype Candida spp. strains isolated from colonized COVID-19 patients, analyze their genomic diversity, and establish clonal dispersion in care areas. The virulent potential of Candida spp. strains isolated from colonized COVID-19 patients was determined through adhesion tests and the search for genes involved with adherence and invasion. Clonal association was done by analysis of intergenic spacer regions. Six species of Candida were involved as colonizing pathogens in COVID-19 patients. The genotype analysis revealed the presence of adherent and invasive backgrounds. The distribution of clones was identified in the COVID-19 care areas, where C. albicans was the predominant species. Evidence shows that Candida spp. have the necessary genetic tools to be able colonize the lungs, and could be a possible causal agent of coinfections in COVID-19 patients. The detection of dispersion of opportunistic pathogens can be unnoticed by classical epidemiology. Epidemiological surveillance against opportunistic fungal pathogens in COVID-19 patients is an immediate need, since the findings presented demonstrate the potential virulence of Candida spp.

Preparation and Characterization of Extruded PLA Films Coated with Polyaniline or Polypyrrole by In Situ Chemical Polymerization.

Conductive polymers, such as polypyrrole and polyaniline, have been extensively studied for their notable intrinsic electronic and ionic conductivities, rendering them suitable for a range of diverse applications. In this study, in situ chemical polymerization was employed to coat extruded PLA films with PPy and PANi. Morphological analysis reveals a uniform and compact deposition of both polyaniline and polypyrrole after polymerization periods of 3 and 1 h, respectively. Furthermore, the PLA-PANi-3h and PLA-PPy-1h composites exhibited the highest electrical conductivity, with values of 0.042 and 0.022 S cm-1, respectively. These findings were in agreement with the XPS results, as the polyaniline-coated film showed a higher proportion of charge carriers compared to the polypyrrole composite. The elastic modulus of the coated films showed an increase compared with that of pure PLA films. Additionally, the inflection temperatures for the PLA-PANi-3h and PLA-PPy-1h composites were 368.7 and 367.2 °C, respectively, while for pure PLA, it reached 341.47 °C. This improvement in mechanical and thermal properties revealed the effective interfacial adhesion between the PLA matrix and the conducting polymer. Therefore, this work demonstrates that coating biopolymeric matrices with PANi or PPy enables the production of functional and environmentally friendly conductive materials suitable for potential use in the removal of heavy metals in water treatment.

Epidemiological Overview of Urogenital Gonorrhea in Mexico (2003-2020).

In Mexico, urogenital gonorrhea (UG) is one of the main sexually transmitted diseases notifiable by health systems around the world. Epidemiological data on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Mexico indicated that UG was "under control" until 2017. However, international epidemiological reports indicate the increase in incidence due to several factors, including an increase during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. These factors suggest that this phenomenon may occur in developing countries, including Mexico. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze national surveillance data on UG from 2003-2019 and the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. An epidemiological study of cases and incidence of UG (2003-2020) was performed in the annual reports issued by the General Directorate Epidemiology in Mexico. Cases and incidence were classified and analyzed by year, sex, age group, and seasons (by temperature). Distribution of UG was carried out using heat maps for the whole country. Ultimately, a seasonal and correlation analysis was performed for UG cases versus temperature. The results showed that the distribution of cases and incidence by sex showed that there was no variation over 14 years. From 2016 onward, a significant increase in UG was observed before the pandemic. During the first year of the pandemic, a significant increase was observed in females aged 24-44 years. A heterogeneous distribution of UG was identified; however, border states were ranked among the top states with elevated incidences and cases. Lastly, the occurrence of UG was associated with temperature, related to summer. The information presented is intended to be useful to promote prevention and to contribute to visualize the distribution of UG over the last 18 years for decision making, and to show one of the consequences of the collapse of epidemiological surveillance of UG during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effect of chronic administration of estradiol, progesterone, and tibolone on the expression and phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3ß and the microtubule-associated protein tau in the hippocampus and cerebellum of female rat.

Gonadal hormones regulate expression and activation of protein tau. Tibolone is a drug used as first- choice comprehensive treatment for the relief of menopausal symptoms, because it and its various metabolites have estrogenic properties and progestogenic/androgenic effects; however, the effect on the activation of tau protein and its signaling cascade in the brain is unknown. We studied the effect of chronic administration of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), and tibolone (TIB) on the expression and phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein tau and glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK3ß) in the hippocampus and cerebellum of ovariectomized rats. Ovariectomized adult female rats were implanted with pellets of vehicle, E2, or P4 or were treated with TIB by oral administration for 60 days. The animals were sacrificed, and tissue proteins were analyzed by Western blot. We observed that, in the hippocampus, administration of E2, P4, or TIB significantly decreased the protein content of hyperphosphorylated tau and increased the tau dephosphorylated form, whereas only treatment with TIB increased the content of the phosphorylated form of GSK3ß. In the cerebellum, E2 and TIB treatments resulted in a significant decrease in the expression of hyperphosphorylated tau, whereas E2 and TIB increased phosphorylated GSK3ß; P4 had no effect. These results indicate that chronic administration of gonadal hormones and tibolone modulates tau and GSK3ß phosphorylation in hippocampus and cerebellum of the rat and may exert a neuroprotective effect in these tissues.

Ultra-Processed Food Consumption during Pregnancy and Its Association with Maternal Oxidative Stress Markers.

Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption during gestation may lead to increased oxidative stress (OS) and could affect pregnancy outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the association of UPF consumption during pregnancy with circulating levels of OS markers. Diet was assessed (average of three assessments) in 119 pregnant women enrolled in the OBESO perinatal cohort (Mexico), obtaining quantitative data and the percentage of energy that UPFs (NOVA) contributed to the total diet. Sociodemographic, clinical (pregestational body-mass index and gestational weight gain) and lifestyle data were collected. Maternal circulating levels of OS markers (malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonylation (PC), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)) were determined at the third trimester of pregnancy. Adjusted linear regression models were performed to analyze the association between UPFs and OS markers. UPFs represented 27.99% of the total energy intake. Women with a lower UPF consumption (<75 percentile°) presented a higher intake of fiber, ω-3, ω-6, and a lower ω-6/3 ratio. Linear regression models showed that UPFs were inversely associated with TAC and MDA. Fiber intake was associated with PC. UPF intake during pregnancy may result in an increase in oxidative stress. When providing nutrition care, limiting or avoiding UPFs may be an intervention strategy that could promote a better antioxidant capacity in the body.

Massive sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region of bronchoalveolar lavage from patients with COVID-19 and VAP reveals the collapse of the pulmonary microbiota.

Background. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is a predisposing factor for the development of healthcare-associated infections, of which ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one.Hypothesis. VAP is caused by ESKAPE bacteria and other pathogens not detected by microbiological culture.Aim. To elucidate the bacterial pathogens of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and VAP patients by massive sequencing and to predict their degree of relationship with the age and sex of the patients.Methods. Analysis of ribosomal libraries of the V3-V4 hypervariable region obtained by Illumina sequencing of bronchoalveolar lavages from COVID-19 and VAP (first wave) patients from Hospital Juárez de México.Results. Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas were the main bacterial genera in the bronchoalveolar lavages (BALs) analysed. Other members of the ESKAPE group, such as Enterococcus and Klebsiella, were also identified. Taxonomic composition per patient showed that non-ESKAPE genera were present with significant relative abundances, such as Prevotella, Stenotrophomas, Enterococcus, Mycoplasma, Serratia and Corynebacterium. Kruskal-Wallis analysis proved that VAP acquisition is an adverse event that is not influenced by the sex and age of COVID-19 patients.Discussion. Metagenomic findings in COVID-19/VAP patients highlight the importance of implementing comprehensive microbiological diagnostics by including alternative tools for the detection of the causal agents of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).Conclusions. Timely identification of bacteria 'not sought' in diagnostic bacteriology laboratories will allow specific and targeted treatments. Implications for the restricted diagnosis of VAP causative agents in COVID-19 patients and the presence of pathogens not detected by classical microbiology are analysed and discussed.