Regulation of a novel Acidithiobacillus caldus gene cluster involved in metabolism of reduced inorganic sulfur compounds

INDEXACIÓN: WEB OF SCIENCE.Acidithiobacillus caldus has been proposed to play a role in the oxidation of reduced inorganic sulfur compounds (RISCs) produced in industrial biomining of sulfidic minerals. Here, we describe the regulation of a new cluster containing the gene encoding tetrathionate hydrolase (tetH), a key enzyme in the RISC metabolism of this bacterium. The cluster contains five cotranscribed genes, ISac1, rsrR, rsrS, tetH, and doxD, coding for a transposase, a two-component response regulator (RsrR and RsrS), tetrathionate hydrolase, and DoxD, respectively. As shown by quantitative PCR, rsrR, tetH, and doxD are upregulated to different degrees in the presence of tetrathionate. Western blot analysis also indicates upregulation of TetH in the presence of tetrathionate, thiosulfate, and pyrite. The tetH cluster is predicted to have two promoters, both of which are functional in Escherichia coli and one of which was mapped by primer extension. A pyrrolo-quinoline quinone binding domain in TetH was predicted by bioinformatic analysis, and the presence of an o-quinone moiety was experimentally verified, suggesting a mechanism for tetrathionate oxidation.https://europepmc.org/backend/ptpmcrender.fcgi?accid=PMC2168230&blobtype=pd

Exploring lower limb muscle activity and performance variations during instrumented Sit-to-Stand-to-Sit in sedentary individuals: Influence of limb dominance and testing modalities

TEXTO COMPLETO EN INGLÉSPurpose to explore lower limb muscle activity concerning limb dominance, as well as variations in force and power during the standing up and sitting down phases of the instrumented sit-to-stand-to-sit test in sedentary individuals, across isokinetic and isotonic modalities. Methods 33 sedentary individuals underwent testing using a functional electromechanical dynamometer in both isokinetic and isotonic modes, accompanied by surface electromyography. Results In the isokinetic mode, the non-dominant gastrocnemius medialis and vastus medialis exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) higher muscle activity values during the standing up and sitting down phase compared to dominant counterparts. In the isotonic mode standing up phase, significant differences in muscle activity were noted for non-dominant gastrocnemius medialis, vastus medialis, and biceps femoris compared to their dominant counterparts. The sitting down phase in isotonic mode showed higher muscle activity for non-dominant vastus medialis compared to dominant vastus medialis. Regard to performance outcomes, significantly lower (p < 0.0001) values were observed for standing up (12.7 ± 5.1 N/kg) compared to sitting down (15.9 ± 6.1 N/kg) peak force, as well as for standing up (18.7 ± 7.8 W/kg) compared to sitting down (25.9 ± 9.7 W/kg) peak power in isokinetic mode. In isotonic mode, lower values were found for sitting down (6.5 (6.3–7.1) N/kg) compared to standing up (7.8 (7.3–8.9) N/kg) peak force and for sitting down (18.5 (13.2–21.7) W/kg) compared to standing up (33.7 (22.8–41.6) W/kg) peak power. Conclusions Limb dominance influences lower-limb muscle activity during the instrumented sit-to-stand-to-sit test, and the choice of testing mode (isokinetic or isotonic) affects muscle engagement and performance outcomes.https://www-sciencedirect-com.recursosbiblioteca.unab.cl/science/article/pii/S003193842400163

Melanoma cells release dysfunctional mitochondria to the tumor microenvironment and circulation in association with tumor progression

Recent evidence establishes that melanoma cells actively uptake mitochondria from stromal cells; however, the mitochondrial release in a physiological context remains unstudied. Here, we show that melanoma cells release dysfunctional mitochondria into the extracellular space through a predominantly non-vesicular route. Using melanocyte Melan-a and melanoma B16-F1 and B16-F10 cell lines, we observed increased extracellular mitochondrial release in malignant cells. Electron microscopy revealed these mitochondria lacked cristae and were primarily free organelles. Membrane potential analysis confirmed their dysfunctional state. Mitophagy analysis using mtKeima showed that, under oxidative stress, melanoma cells failed to activate canonical mitophagy and instead upregulated mitochondrial release as an alternative MQC mechanism. Western blot analysis revealed a fission-biased mitochondrial network in melanoma cells, with elevated phospho-DRP1/DRP1 ratio, and a tendency to reduce MFN1 and OPA1. Together with PINK1/ATG7 downregulation and BNIP3/NIX upregulation, suggest a secretory mitophagy phenotype. Tumor-derived mitochondria were detected in both the tumor microenvironment and plasma of melanoma-bearing mice, with extracellular mitochondria levels correlating with tumor burden. Plasma from melanoma patients exhibited elevated levels of TOMM20+ mitochondria compared to healthy donors. Transcriptomic analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas melanoma cohort revealed that high expression of MQC-related genes DRP1 and BNIP3L was associated with worse prognosis. Collectively, our findings uncover a tumor-intrinsic, non-canonical MQC pathway that releases dysfunctional mitochondria. This mechanism establishes a new paradigm of tumor-host systemic communication, wherein circulating tumor-derived mitochondria might actively influence disease progression. These findings open avenues for developing non-invasive biomarkers and therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial releasDesarrollo (ANID): Financiamiento básico para el Centro de Excelencia Científica y Tecnológica, IMPACT # FB210024(F.A.-M.); FONDECYT REGULAR #1230875(F.A.-M.), #1250955 (F.J.B.)FONDECYT INICIACI´ ON #11221017 (Y.H.)ANID-FOVI #250060 (F.A.-M.);Beca Doctorado Nacional 2022-21220451 (N.G.-C.) Fondo de Apoyo a la Investigación (FAI) de la Universidad de los Andes #FCH-PD-20240203Fondo de Apoyo a la Investigación UNAB DI-06-24/REG (F.J.B.)S

Ligand-dependent stability and ORR/OER activity of single-layer metal-organic frameworks

INDEXACION SCOPUSTEXTO COMPLETOANIDS

Antimicrobial resistance in seabirds from the Southeast Pacific Coast

Tesis (Doctora en Medicina de la Conservación)Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public threat, given the rapid emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance bacteria (ARB). The dissemination of carbapenem resistant and third generation cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli isolates classified as priority resistant pathogens by the World Health Organization, is a critical issue for global public health because it has been found in both terrestrial and aquatic environments including Chile. Seabirds are considered indicators of the marine-coastal ecosystem health as they are sensitive to environmental changes. They are exposed to many anthropogenic pressures like foraging on resources contaminated by ARB as extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing E. coli (ESBL-E. coli) and carbapenemase producing E. coli (CP-E. coli). Different foraging and breeding behaviour among seabirds could impact ESBL-E. coli and CP-E. coli prevalence and its genetic background. In central Chile occurs the Humboldt Current Large Marine Ecosystem (HCLME) where inhabit the resident Kelp gull (Larus dominicanus), the migratory Franklin’s gull (Larus pipixcan) and the endemic Peruvian pelican (Pelecanus thagus) being exposed to a strong periodic but irregular climate variation. Therefore, the general aim of this thesis was to compare the prevalence as well as resistance genotypes and phylogenetic relationships of ESBL-E. coli and CP-E. coli isolated from faeces of seabirds between summer and winter, and across years. To achieve this goal, it was i) estimated and compared the genetic characteristics and prevalence of ESBL-E. coli isolated from faeces in resident gulls (L. dominicanus), migratory gulls (L. pipixcan) and endemic pelicans (P. thagus) (chapter 1), ii) determined the prevalence, genetic background, selective pressure factors and phylogenetic relationships of ESBL producing E. coli isolated from the faeces of Kelp gulls (L. dominicanus) across seasons and time (chapter 2), and finally iii) assessed the prevalence, molecular mechanisms, pathogenic potential of circulating CP-E. coli in L. dominicanus, L. pipixcan and P. thagus (chapter 3). From 2020 to 2022, a total of 699 fresh faecal samples of seabirds were collected (L. dominicanus=449, L. pipixcan=116, P. thagus=134) in Algarrobo, Valparaiso region. The faecal samples were screened for Enterobacteriaceae using McConkey media supplemented with cefotaxime 2mg/L and 4 mg/L of imipenem, incubated at 37 °C for 24–48 hours. E. coli was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, ESBL production was tested using the double-disk diffusion method, and carbapenemase production was confirmed using the disk-diffusion method of the KPC/MBL and OXA-48 Confirm kit (ROSCO Diagnostica Aps, Stensmosevej 24, DK-2620 Albertslund, Denmark). The suspected ESBL-E. coli isolates were submitted to Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) using Illumina® (short reads) at MicrobesNG where DNA was extracted following their standard protocol (http://www.microbesng.uk, Birmingham, UK). The suspected CP-E. coli were also submitted to WGS using both short (Illumina®) and long reads (Oxford Nanopore Technologies) to reconstruct a high-resolution of the chromosomal and plasmid structures containing AMR genes (ARG) based on genomic sequences. In silico analyses of the resulting contigs were performed using the Nextflow pipeline ‘baargin’ to predict ARG, point mutations, virulence genes (VG), plasmids and E. coli Sequence Types (ST). Other mobile genetic elements (MGE) were detected with MobileElementFinder 1.0.3 from the Center for Genomics Epidemiology (https://www.genomicepidemiology.org/ - CGE). A pangenome and a single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) based phylogenetic analyses were performed using the software PhyML 3.3 (100 bootstraps) and CSI Phylogeny 1.4 from CGE. To investigate associations between the presence of ESBL-E. coli or CP-E. coli in seabirds with host species, season and year, a generalized linear model (GLM) with binomial distribution was performed. In the first chapter, 273 cefotaxime-resistant E. coli were identified. Eighty-five of them were subjected to WGS analysis and the remaining 188 isolates were analysed through PCR for ESBL-gene detection (CTX-M, TEM and SHV). A total of 271 were identified as ESBL-E. coli (39%) were isolated. ESBL-E. coli overall prevalence in L. dominicanus (46% [CI: 42-51%]) and P. thagus (34% [CI: 27-43%]) were higher than in L. pipixcan (16% [CI: 11-24%]). A 99% of the ESBL-E. coli isolates were positive to CTX-M genes and 82% belonged to CTX-M group 1 (blaCTX-M-1 and -15). Two cefotaxime-resistant E. coli isolates were AmpC-phenotype positive carrying blaCMY-2 gene. Pandemic ESBL-E. coli ST10, ST58, ST131 and ST410 were shared among seabirds. These results highlight ESBL-E. coli dissemination across seabirds of the HCLME, including among species that unusually forage on human waste like pelicans and different foraging behaviour like Franklin’s gulls. The CTX-M genes are the most prevalent ESBL genes worldwide and indicate a possible human origin. In the second chapter, the temporal trends of ESBL-E. coli isolated from chapter 1 for L. dominicanus during 2020 and 2022 were amplified. We included the analyses of biocide and heavy metal genes already incorporated in the Nextflow pipeline ´baargin´, and investigate genetic profile similarity with a multiple factor analysis (MFA), a multiple component analysis (MCA) and a proportional similarity index (PSI). Contrary to our expectations, the prevalence of ESBL-E. coli in L. dominicanus was higher during winter (51% [CI: 44-57%]) compared to summer (43% [CI: 37-49%], GLM, Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.7, p=0.05), although both seasons kept a high prevalence. No significant difference in ESBL-E. coli prevalence of L. dominicanus was found across years (45% [CI: 33- 58%] in 2020, 52% [CI: 46-58%] in 2021, and 39% [CI: 32-46%] in 2022). Three high risk E. coli ST clones with <10 SNP difference were detected across years (i.e., ST38, ST58, and ST617), suggesting that this Kelp gull population can maintain ESBL-E. coli clones across years and seasons. The MFA and MCA analyses suggested that ARG and VG were the genetic components most similar between seasons and among years. Thus, these findings remark that ESBL-E. coli in L. dominicanus can remain at a high prevalence across season and time despite temporal changes in human activity such as higher human presence in summer, and a likely lower human activity during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021. In the third and last chapter, CP-E. coli was detected at a low prevalence (2%, 11 isolates) only from Kelp gulls in 2021 and 2022. Hybrid genome assemblies revealed that blaNDM-5 was the most prevalent carbapenemase gene (10/11) detected among CP E. coli inserted on plasmids (e.g., IncFII, IncHI1A, and IncX3), except for one blaNDM-5 inserted on a chromosome. The remaining gene (blaOXA-48) was inserted on a chromosome. High-risk CP-E. coli ST10, ST167, ST224, ST607, and two new STs were identified to have a high probability of being pathogenic to humans according to PathogenFinder tool of CGE. Almost identical IncFII plasmids carried blaNDM-5 in different E. coli ST across years, while very similar CP-E. coli ST (1-19 SNP difference) circulated in Kelp gulls collected the same year. Therefore, both intra-annual clonal and inter-annual plasmid-mediated dissemination of carbapenemase genes across Kelp gulls is suggested. These results demonstrate that CP-E. coli spread across Kelp gulls from HCLME by multiple mechanisms, underscoring the need to better understand the selective pressures and transmission pathways maintaining CP-E. coli in wildlife. This thesis has demonstrated that seabirds are carriers of ESBL-E. coli and CP-E. coli in the HCLME. AMR-resistant E. coli in this ecosystem poses important sources of ARGs harboured in plasmids and high-risk clonal lineages of global public health concern which enforces the hypothesis that sources of contamination could be anthropogenic. These bacteria, now considered as an ´anthropogenic pollution´, is present in high prevalence in resident and endemic seabird species sharing resistant bacterial genomes in a longitudinal study. Therefore, this research contributes to fill the knowledge gap of ESBL-E. coli and CP-E. coli dynamics in wildlife, particularly in Latin America. The results obtained can also be useful for Public Health Stakeholders to include seabirds for AMR surveillance in the region and improve waste disposal in cities. Future studies should include assessment of natural drives and potential sources of AMR contamination to seabirds related to human activities like dogs, fishes and water.La resistencia a los antimicrobianos (RAM) es una amenaza pública mundial, dada la rápida aparición y propagación de bacterias resistentes a los antimicrobianos (BRA). La diseminación de patógenos resistentes a carbapenémicos y resistentes a cefalosporinas de tercera generación, como Escherichia coli (E. coli), clasificados como patógenos prioritarios por la Organización Mundial de la Salud, es un problema crítico para la salud pública mundial porque estos patógenos se han encontrado tanto en ambientes terrestres como acuáticos, incluido Chile. Las aves marinas se consideran indicadores de la salud del ecosistema marino-costero, ya que son sensibles a los cambios ambientales. Están expuestas a muchas presiones antropogénicas, como la alimentación en recursos contaminados por BRA como E. coli productora de β-lactamasas de espectro extendido (ESBL-E. coli) y E. coli productora de carbapenemasas (CP-E. coli). Los diferentes comportamientos de alimentación y reproducción entre las aves marinas podrían afectar la prevalencia de ESBL-E. coli y CP-E. coli y su trasfondo genético. En Chile central se encuentra el Gran Ecosistema Marino de la Corriente de Humboldt (GEMCH) donde habitan la residente gaviota dominicana (Larus dominicanus), la migratoria gaviota de Franklin (Larus pipixcan) y el endémico pelícano peruano (Pelecanus thagus) estando expuestos a una fuerte variación periódica pero irregular del clima. Por lo tanto, el objetivo general de esta tesis fue comparar la prevalencia, así como los genotipos de resistencia y las relaciones filogenéticas de ESBL-E. coli y CP-E. coli aisladas de heces de aves marinas entre verano e invierno, y a través de los años. Para lograr este objetivo, i) se estimó y comparó las características genéticas y la prevalencia de ESBL-E. coli aisladas de heces de gaviotas residentes (L. dominicanus), gaviotas migratorias (L. pipixcan) y pelícanos endémicos (P. thagus) (capítulo 1), ii) se determinó la prevalencia, el origen genético, los factores de presión selectiva y las relaciones filogenéticas de ESBL-E. coli aisladas de las heces de gaviotas dominicanas (L. dominicanus) a lo largo de las estaciones y el tiempo (capítulo 2), y finalmente iii) se evaluó la prevalencia, los mecanismos moleculares y el potencial patogénico de CP E. coli circulantes en L. dominicanus, L. pipixcan y P. thagus (capítulo 3). Entre 2020 y 2022, se recolectaron 699 muestras fecales frescas de aves marinas (L. dominicanus=449, L. pipixcan=116, P. thagus=134) en Algarrobo, región de Valparaíso. Las muestras fecales se analizaron para detectar enterobacterias utilizando medios McConkey suplementados con cefotaxima 2 mg/L o imipenem 4 mg/L, incubados a 37 °C durante 24-48 horas. La presencia de E. coli se confirmó mediante espectrometría de masas de desorción/ionización láser asistida por matriz y tiempo de vuelo (MALDI-TOF), la producción de ESBL se analizó con el método de difusión de doble disco y la producción de carbapenemasas se confirmó con el método de difusión de disco del kit KPC/MBL y OXA-48 Confirm (ROSCO Diagnostica Aps, Stensmosevej 24, DK-2620 Albertslund, Dinamarca). Los aislamientos sospechosos de ESBL-E. coli se sometieron a secuenciación de genoma completo (WGS) utilizando Illumina® (lecturas cortas) en MicrobesNG, donde se extrajo el ADN siguiendo su protocolo estándar (http://www.microbesng.uk, Birmingham, Reino Unido). Las CP-E. coli sospechosas se sometieron a WGS utilizando lecturas cortas (Illumina®) y largas (Oxford Nanopore Technologies) para reconstruir una alta resolución de las estructuras cromosómicas y plasmídicas que contenían genes AMR (ARGs) en función de las secuencias genómicas. Se realizaron análisis in silico de los contigs resultantes utilizando el pipeline de Nextflow 'baargin' para predecir ARGs, mutaciones puntuales, genes de virulencia (VG), plásmidos y tipos de secuencia (ST) de E. coli. Se detectaron otros elementos genéticos móviles (MGE) con MobileElementFinder 1.0.3 del Centro de Epidemiología Genómica (https://www.genomicepidemiology.org/ - CGE). Se realizó un análisis filogenético basado en un pangenoma y polimorfismos de un solo nucleótido (SNP) utilizando el software PhyML 3.3 (100 bootstraps) y CSI Phylogeny 1.4 de CGE. Para investigar las asociaciones entre la presencia de ESBL-E. coli o CP E. coli en aves marinas con tipo de especie, temporada y año, se realizó un modelo lineal generalizado (GLM) con distribución binomial. En el primer capítulo, se identificaron 273 E. coli resistentes a cefotaxima. Ochenta y cinco de estos aislados se analizaron con WGS y los 188 restantes fueron sometidos a PCR para detección de presencia de genes ESBL (CTX-M, TEM y SHV). Un total de 271 ESBL-E. coli (39%) fueron identificados. La prevalencia global de ESBL-E. coli en L. dominicanus (46% [IC: 42-51%]) y P. thagus (34% [IC: 27-43%]) fue mayor que en L. pipixcan (16% [IC: 11-24%]). Un 99% de los aislamientos ESBL-E. coli fueron positivos a genes CTX-M y el 82% pertenecía al grupo CTX-M 1 (blaCTX-M-1 y -15). Dos de los aislados de E. coli resistentes a cefotaxima fueron positivos al fenotipo AmpC portando el gen blaCMY-2. Las ESBL-E. coli pandémicas ST10, ST58, ST131 y ST410 se compartieron entre las aves marinas. Estos resultados destacan la diseminación de ESBL-E. coli entre aves marinas del GEMCH, incluso entre pelícanos que inusualmente se alimentan de desechos humanos, y gaviotas de Franklin con diferente dieta. Los genes CTX-M son los genes ESBL más prevalentes en todo el mundo e indican un posible origen humano. En el segundo capítulo, las tendencias temporales de ESBL-E. coli aisladas del capítulo 1 para L. dominicanus durante 2020 y 2022 se ampliaron. Se incluyeron los análisis de genes de biocidas y metales pesados ya incorporado en el pipeline Nextflow 'baargin', y se determinó la similitud del perfil genético con un análisis de factores múltiples (MFA), un análisis de componentes múltiples (MCA) y un índice de similitud proporcional (PSI). Contrariamente a nuestras expectativas, la prevalencia de ESBL E. coli en L. dominicanus fue mayor durante el invierno (51% [IC: 44-57%]) en comparación con el verano 43% [IC: 37-49%], GLM, Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.7, p = 0.05), aunque ambas estaciones mantuvieron una prevalencia alta. No hubo diferencia significativa en la prevalencia de ESBL-E. coli de L. dominicanus entre todos los años (45% [IC: 33-58%] en 2020, 52% [IC: 46-58%] en 2021 y 39% [IC: 32-46%] en 2022). Se detectaron tres clones ST de E. coli de alto riesgo con una diferencia de <10 SNP en todos los años (es decir, ST38, ST58 y ST617), lo que sugiere que esta población de gaviotas dominicanas puede mantener clones de ESBL-E. coli. Los análisis de MFA y MCA sugieren que ARG y VG fueron los componentes genéticos más similares entre temporadas y años estudiados. La presencia de ESBL-E. coli en L. dominicanus puede permanecer con una prevalencia alta a lo largo de la temporada y los años a pesar de los cambios temporales en la actividad humana, como una mayor presencia humana en verano y una probable menor actividad humana durante el confinamiento por COVID-19 en 2021. En el tercer y último capítulo, se detectó CP-E. coli con una prevalencia baja (2%, 11 aislamientos) solo en gaviotas dominicanas en 2021 y 2022. Los ensamblajes de genomas híbridos revelaron que blaNDM-5 fue el gen de carbapenemasa más prevalente (10/11) detectado en CP-E. coli insertado en plásmidos (p. ej., IncFII, IncHI1A e IncX3), a excepción de uno insertado en un cromosoma. El gen restante (blaOXA-48) se insertó en un cromosoma. Se identificaron CP-E. coli ST10, ST167, ST224, ST607 de alto riesgo y dos nuevas ST con alta patogenicidad para humanos. Los plásmidos IncFII casi idénticos portaban blaNDM-5 en diferentes ST de E. coli a lo largo de los años, mientras que los ST de CP-E. coli más similares (diferencia de 1-19 SNP) circulaban en gaviotas dominicanas recolectadas el mismo año. Por lo tanto, se sugiere una diseminación clonal intra-anual e interanual mediada por plásmidos de genes de carbapenemasas entre gaviotas dominicanas. Estos resultados demuestran que CP E. coli se propagó entre las gaviotas dominicanas de GEMCH mediante múltiples mecanismos, lo que subraya la necesidad de comprender mejor las presiones selectivas y las vías de transmisión que mantienen a CP-E. coli en animales silvestres. Esta tesis ha demostrado que las aves marinas son portadoras de ESBL-E. coli y CP E. coli en el GEMCH. La E. coli resistente a RAM en este ecosistema plantea una importante fuente de ARGs albergados en plásmidos y linajes clonales de alto riesgo para la salud pública mundial, lo que refuerza la hipótesis de que las fuentes de contaminación podrían ser antropogénicas. Estas bacterias, consideradas actualmente como un " contaminante antropogénico", están presentes en alta prevalencia en especies de aves marinas residentes y endémicas que comparten genomas bacterianos resistentes en un estudio longitudinal. Por lo tanto, esta investigación contribuye a llenar el vacío de conocimiento sobre la dinámica de ESBL-E. coli y CP E. coli en animales silvestres, particularmente en América Latina. Los resultados obtenidos también pueden ser útiles para que los actores de salud pública incluyan a las aves marinas en la vigilancia de la RAM en la región y mejorar el descarte de residuos en las ciudades. Los estudios futuros deben incluir la evaluación de factores naturales y fuentes potenciales de contaminación de RAM para las aves marinas relacionadas con actividades humanas como perros, peces y agua

Clinical characterization of an emm1-dominant group A Streptococcus outbreak in Chile in the context of the previous 6 years

Indexación Scopus.In 2024, Chile experienced an outbreak of invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) infections. Although increasing reports of GAS outbreaks have been described worldwide, it remains unclear whether these events are driven by increased virulence of circulating lineages or by lineage replacement. In parallel, the burden of hospitalized noninvasive GAS infections (h-niGAS), which may present with severe disease, remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to compare epidemiological, clinical, antimicrobial resistance, and genomic features of iGAS and h-niGAS infections in Chile over a six-year period. We analyzed 2,307 GAS isolates collected between 2018 and 2024, including 2,249 noninvasive isolates and 58 iGAS isolates. Noninvasive cases were classified as outpatient niGAS or hospitalized niGAS (h-niGAS). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed for all isolates. emm typing was performed on isolates from hospitalized patients (28 iGAS and 94 h-niGAS). Whole-genome sequencing was performed on outbreak-related isolates, followed by virulence gene profiling and phylogenetic analysis. Clinical characteristics were compared between iGAS and non-iGAS cases and across time periods. Among niGAS isolates, 2,119 were obtained from outpatients and 130 from hospitalized patients. h-niGAS isolates showed the highest proportion of clindamycin resistance (42%), whereas iGAS isolates showed the lowest (16%). Notably, clindamycin resistance among iGAS increased from 0% during 2020–2023 to nearly 20% in 2024. The most frequent emm types were emm1, emm12, and emm4. The frequency of emm1 increased from 0% in 2020–2023 to 10% in 2024, while overall emm diversity declined markedly (Simpson’s reciprocal index from 17.3 to 6.63). Clinically, iGAS infections were associated with immunosuppression, chronic liver disease, viral coinfection, and trauma. During the 2024 outbreak, iGAS cases did not differ clinically from those reported in 2018–2023; however, h-niGAS cases required more surgical procedures (p = 0.005) and medical evaluations (p = 0.025). Whole-genome sequencing revealed predominance of emm1, including three M1UK strains harboring all 27 defining single-nucleotide polymorphisms. emm1 isolates carried a higher number of virulence-associated genes compared with non-emm1 isolates (p < 0.05). Phylogenetic analysis showed close relatedness to strains from the United Kingdom, Argentina, and the United States. Discussion: These findings suggest that the Chilean outbreak was driven by the expansion of the emm1 lineage rather than an increase in strain virulence. The identification of M1UK strains and the reduced emm diversity support a model of lineage introduction and clonal expansion. The significant clinical burden observed among h-niGAS cases underscores the importance of including hospitalized noninvasive infections in surveillance efforts. Ongoing integrated clinical and genomic surveillance of both iGAS and h-niGAS is essential to monitor emerging lineages and antimicrobial resistance trends

Chilean Azorella monantha: A Green approach for the extraction of secondary metabolites by using microwave-assisted green solvents extraction

Indexación Scopus.According to the fundamental principles of green chemistry, it is recommended the use unconventional extraction techniques and green solvents to reduce the environmental impact associated with traditional extraction methods. In this context, the Chilean Azorella monantha served as the study model. The objective of this research was to compare microwave-assisted green solvent extraction with conventional solvent extraction processes, including UHPLC/ESI/MS/MS analysis and the assessment of the antioxidant capacity of all extracts. Based on the yield obtained, our results showed that MAE with limonene (23.9 %) and ethyl lactate (14.8 %) was more effective than maceration-assisted methanol extraction (12.3 %). In the case of the UHPLC/ESI/MS/MS profile, the results indicated that the number of compounds detected through by microwave-assisted ethyl lactate extraction (forty compounds) was higher than that observed in the methanolic extract prepared by maceration (thirty-two compounds). Furthermore, MAE with limonene was selective for the extraction of diterpenoids and some less polar isoflavonoids such as prenylalpinumisoflavone, alpinumisoflavone, acetylalpinumisoflavone, and licoisoflavone B. Quantitative analysis indicated that the concentration of the diterpenoid mulin-11,13-diene-20-oic acid was consistent across all green extracts obtained by MAE (135–136.3 mg/g of extract). The EL/MAE extract exhibited antioxidant properties by scavenging DPPH (201.2 ± 0.01 mg TE/g), ABTS (98.0 ± 0.03 µg/mL) radicals, and FRAP (9.82 ± 0.02 μmol Trolox/g dry weight). The ORAC assay indicated that the ethyl lactate MAE extract (141.6 ± 4.9 mg TE/g extract) exhibited greater antioxidant activity than the methanol extract (94.7 ± 1.7 mg TE/g extract). This is the first study realized on A. monantha using green strategies, demonstrating that the unconventional techniques related to green solvents can effectively replace toxic solvents for the extraction of secondary metabolites.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277250222500887X?pes=vor&utm_source=scopus&getft_integrator=scopu

Vascular, physical fitness, lifestyle, and body composition characteristics in middle-aged and older diver fishermen: association between shear rate and lower-limb physical fitness

Indexación Scopus.First, to describe the vascular, physical fitness, lifestyle, and body composition characteristics of middle-aged and older adult diver fishermen. Second, to associate vascular outcomes with physical fitness (upper and lower limbs). A descriptive pilot study was performed in middle-aged [MA-DF, n = 11, body mass index (BMI) 29.9 ± 4.9, mean arterial pressure (MAP) 103.9 ± 6.2 mmHg] and older (OA-DF, n = 11, BMI 28.5 ± 2.7, MAP 111.8 ± 9.6 mmHg) adult diver fishermen. In each group, brachial (BA) and common carotid artery (CCA) diameter (DBA; DCCA), peak systolic (PSVBA; PSVCCA), end-diastolic velocity (EDVBA; EDVCCA), shear rate (SRBA; SRCCA), resistance index (RIBA; RICCA), pulsatility index (PIBA; PICCA), Reynolds number (ReBA; ReCCA), handgrip strength right (HGSRA), left (HGSLA), and average (HGSAV) and lower-limb fitness (Ruffier test) were the main outcomes, while other types of information, including vascular ankle-brachial index, pulse wave velocity, carotid intima average and maximum, augmentation index, body composition (segmental and total parameters by dual-X-ray absorptiometry), and lifestyle, were secondary outcomes. Results: There were no vascular, body composition, or lifestyle differences between groups. The MA-DF group showed superior upper- (HGSRA 48.1 ± 6.2 kg vs. 39.8 ± 6.4 kg; HGSLA 46.7 ± 5.9 kg vs. 39.5 ± 6.3 kg, both P < 0.05) and lower-limb fitness (Ruffier test 23.2 ± 5.3 repetitions vs. 15.5 ± 2.4 repetitions, p = 0.0006) vs. the OA-DF group. Significant associations were found between SRBA and the Ruffier test (p = 0.003) and between SRCCA and the Ruffier test (p = 0.042). Despite similar vascular, lifestyle, and body composition profiles, middle-aged and older diver fishermen displayed marked differences in upper- and lower-limb physical fitness. Importantly, lower-limb physical fitness, as assessed by the Ruffier test, emerged as a robust correlation of vascular shear rate (SR) in both the BA and CCA, highlighting its potential relevance to peripheral and central vascular function.https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2026.1739696/ful

Ligand-dependent stability and ORR/OER activity of single-layer metal-organic frameworks

INDEXACION SCOPUSTEXTO COMPLETOANID(ANID) through project FONDECYT 1230138. Computational resources were provided by Fenix HPC (UNAB), Chile and the supercomputing infrastructure of the NLHPC, Chile (CCSS210001).SIS

Impact of electrochemically treated greywater on green wall and roof irrigation: Effects on soils and plants

Indexación: ScopusAs part of a study on the treatment and reuse of greywater, the potential use of greywater for irrigating green walls and roofs was assessed, with the focus on its effects on the substrate and vegetation. The response of three ornamental species common in central Chile, Chlorophytum comosum (loose spider plant), Dymondia margaretae (silver carpet) and Hedera helix (common ivy), was evaluated under irrigation with untreated washing machine greywater, greywater treated by electrochemical processes and potable water (used as a control). The experimental work was conducted over 12 months using 60 pots installed on a green wall (20 per irrigation type), exposed to the climate conditions of Santiago de Chile. Periodic measurements were taken of the substrate (pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter and phosphorus) and of the plants (leaf count and size, presence of foliar spots and pigment analysis) to evaluate growth, health and signs of biological stress in response to the different irrigation waters. Irrigation with electrochemically treated greywater maintained soil pH within neutral ranges and limited salinity to levels suitable for moderately tolerant plants. In contrast, untreated greywater led to higher electrical conductivity values. No significant differences were detected in soil organic matter or phosphorus content among the different types of water. After an initial adaptation, plant growth with treated greywater matched or exceeded growth with potable water. There were no major alterations in pigment composition or visible stress symptoms. These results suggest that electrochemically treated greywater is a viable sustainable option for irrigating green walls and roofs. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd.Acknowledgements The authors acknowledge the funding provided by the Chilean National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) under the Project ANID ANILLO ATE 220024 and Millenium Institute on Green Ammonia as Energy Vector MIGA, ANID/Millennium Science Initiative Program/ ICN2021_023.S