Production of HlyA and ClyA haemolysins among quinolone-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from clinical samples

Most Escherichia coli resistant to quinolones are not haemolytic. The objective of this study was to determine the phylogroup, clonal relationship, mechanism of quinolone resistance and virulence factors in 70 haemolytic E. coli resistant to nalidixic acid. Sixty-six isolates contained the hlyA gene, belonged to phylogroup B2, and 61 of them presented low-level resistance to fluoroquinolones. Four isolates presented high-level resistance to fluoroquinolones, contained the clyA gene and were included in phylogroup D. One single isolate (phylogroup D, with low level resistance to fluoroquinolones) contained both cytotoxins.Supported by Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain, co-financed by European Development Regional Fund “A way to achieve Europe” ERDF, Spanish Network for the Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD12/0015). Alicia Márquez-López was supported by the REIPI and has been supported by a grant from the Instituto de Formación e Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla (IFIMAV), Santander, Spain. We want to thank Eduardo López for his review of English version of the manuscript.S

Muscular function as an alternative to identify cognitive impairment : a secondary analysis from SABE Colombia

Antecedentes: La identificación del deterioro cognitivo se basa tradicionalmente en la pruebas neuropsicológicas y biomarcadores que no están ampliamente disponibles. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo establecer la asociación entre la función motora (velocidad de la marcha y fuerza) y el rendimiento cognitivo en el Mini-Examen del Estado Mental, a nivel mundial y por dominios. Un objetivo secundario fue calcular un punto de corte para la velocidad de la marcha y la prensión manual. fuerza para clasificar a los adultos mayores como con deterioro cognitivo. Métodos: Este es un análisis secundario de SABE Colombia (Salud, Bienestar & Envejecimiento), encuesta realizada en 2015 sobre salud, bienestar y envejecimiento en Colombia. Este estudio utilizó modelos de regresión lineal para buscar un asociación entre la función motora y el rendimiento cognitivo. La precisión del motor las mediciones de función en la identificación del deterioro cognitivo se evaluaron con el receptor curvas características de funcionamiento (ROC). Este estudio también analizó otros aspectos clínicos y variables sociodemográficas. Resultados: La velocidad de la marcha se asoció con la orientación (r2 = 0,16), idioma (r2 = 0.15), recordar memoria (r2 = 0.14), y contando (r2 = 0,08). Del mismo modo, la empuñadura la fuerza se asoció con la orientación (r2 = 0,175), idioma (r2 = 0.164), recordar memoria (r2 = 0.137), y contando (r2 = 0,08). Para diferenciar a los adultos mayores con y sin deterioro cognitivo, se tuvo un punto de corte de velocidad de la marcha de 0,59 m/s. un área bajo la curva (AUC) de 0,629 (0,613–0,646) y un agarre débil (resistencia por debajo de 17,5 kg) tenía un AUC de 0,653 (0,645-0,661). los puntos de corte para la fuerza de agarre y la velocidad de la marcha fueron significativamente mayores en los participantes masculinos. García-Cifuentes et al. Función muscular y deterioro cognitivo Conclusiones: La velocidad de la marcha y la fuerza de prensión se asocian de manera similar con la desempeño cognitivo, exhibiendo la asociación más extensa con la orientación y dominios lingüísticos del Mini-Examen del Estado Mental. Velocidad de marcha y prensión cualquier médico puede medir fácilmente la fuerza, y demuestran ser útiles para la detección herramientas para detectar el deterioro cognitivo. Palabras clave: velocidad de la marcha, fuerza de prensión manual, deterioro cognitivo, biomarcador, demencia preclínica, motora disfunciónQ2Q2Background: Identification of cognitive impairment is based traditionally on the neuropsychological tests and biomarkers that are not available widely. This study aimed to establish the association between motor function (gait speed and handgrip strength) and cognitive performance in the Mini-Mental State Examination, globally and by domains. A secondary goal was calculating a cut-off point for gait speed and handgrip strength to classify older adults as cognitively impaired. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of SABE Colombia (Salud, Bienestar & Envejecimiento), a survey that was conducted in 2015 on health, wellbeing, and aging in Colombia. This study used linear regression models to search for an association between motor function and cognitive performance. The accuracy of motor function measurements in identifying cognitive impairment was assessed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. This study also analyzed other clinical and sociodemographical variables. Results: Gait speed was associated with orientation (r2 = 0.16), language (r2 = 0.15), recall memory (r2 = 0.14), and counting (r2 = 0.08). Similarly, handgrip strength was associated with orientation (r2 = 0.175), language (r2 = 0.164), recall memory (r2 = 0.137), and counting (r2 = 0.08). To differentiate older adults with and without cognitive impairment, a gait speed cut-off point of 0.59 m/s had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.629 (0.613–0.646), and a weak handgrip (strength below 17.5 kg) had an AUC of 0.653 (0.645-0.661). The cut-off points for handgrip strength and gait speed were significantly higher in male participants. Conclusions: Gait speed and handgrip strength are similarly associated with the cognitive performance, exhibiting the most extensive association with orientation and language domains of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Gait speed and handgrip strength can easily be measured by any clinician, and they prove to be useful screening tools to detect cognitive impairment.https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5680-7880https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=search_authors&mauthors=carlos+alberto+cano-gutierrez&hl=es&oi=aohttps://scienti.minciencias.gov.co/cvlac/visualizador/generarCurriculoCv.do?cod_rh=0000054895&lang=nullRevista Nacional - Indexad

Facile Synthesis of High Quality Graphene Nanoribbons

Graphene nanoribbons have attracted attention for their novel electronic and spin transport properties1-6, and because nanoribbons less than 10 nm wide have a band gap that can be used to make field effect transistors. However, producing nanoribbons of very high quality, or in high volumes, remains a challenge. Here, we show that pristine few-layer nanoribbons can be produced by unzipping mildly gas-phase oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotube using mechanical sonication in an organic solvent. The nanoribbons exhibit very high quality, with smooth edges (as seen by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy), low ratios of disorder to graphitic Raman bands, and the highest electrical conductance and mobility reported to date (up to 5e2/h and 1500 cm2/Vs for ribbons 10-20 nm in width). Further, at low temperature, the nanoribbons exhibit phase coherent transport and Fabry-Perot interference, suggesting minimal defects and edge roughness. The yield of nanoribbons was ~2% of the starting raw nanotube soot material, which was significantly higher than previous methods capable of producing high quality narrow nanoribbons1. The relatively high yield synthesis of pristine graphene nanoribbons will make these materials easily accessible for a wide range of fundamental and practical applications.Comment: Nature Nanotechnology in pres

Diversity and Mega-Targets of Selection from the Characterization of a Barley Collection

Germplasm exchange is essential for assuring genetic gain in a breeding program. Two aspects of breeding programs are relevant to making them compatible for germplasm exchange: the amount of genetic diversity within programs and the identifi cation of breeding programs with similar breeding objectives and environments of selection (i.e., mega-targets of selection). The objective of this study was to develop a data-driven method to group breeding programs likely to be compatible for germplasm exchange and to use phenotypic characterization data of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) from breeding programs to illustrate this method. In two locations in Uruguay we evaluated 20 traits in 353 genotypes of barley from 23 private and public breeding programs distributed worldwide. We found signifi cant amounts of genetic diversity for all traits, but differences in diversity among programs for only seven traits. We identifi ed programs with high (Western Australia Department of Agriculture; University of Saskatchewan; and Svalöf Weibull Ab, Sweden) and low diversity (winter program of Osijek Agricultural Institute, Croatia; spring program of Osijek Agricultural Institute, Croatia; Saatzucht Josef Breun, Germany; Busch Agricultural Resources; USDA-ARS, Aberdeen, ID; and University of Minnesota). We developed a methodology that groups programs with similar performance and response to the environments. We used the methodology to group the 23 breeding programs of barley into sets that might benefi t most from germplasm exchange. The identifi cation of compatible programs for germplasm exchange could be relevant for improving genetic gains in breeding programs

Famosa: Evaluation of a multigene panel in patients with suspected HBOC

Background: Objectives: Characterize 1) the frequency of mutations in patients with clinical criteria for HBOC using a 25-gene panel in a Spanish population (FAMOSA study). 2) The psychological impact of these tests and patient''s counseling preferences. Methods: Patients with breast or ovarian cancer who met the NCCN criteria for genetic testing with a) prior testing for BRCA genes with NO mutation identified; or b) recently diagnosed (<6 months) and not genetically tested, were enrolled for multiplex cancer testing (MyRisk 25-gene panel). Participants completed self-questionnaires regarding geneting counseling preferences and three psychological scales (MICRA, CWS, R-IES) at base-line, one week, three and twelve months after results disclosure. Results: From November 14 to February 15, 210 patients were included in the FAMOSA study (109 HBOC). 61 (56%) patients were previously tested for BRCA1/2 gene mutations with conventional techniques; median age: 44y (22-77); gender: 3 males / 106 females; cancer types: breast 95 (87%); ovary 14 (13%). Overall 22 pathogenic variants were identified in 21 patients (19, 3%): 10 BRCA1, 2 BRCA2, 2 PALB2, 3 MUYTH, 1 CDKN2A; 2 ATM, 1 BRAD1, 1 BRIP1. One patient had an unexpected mutation in CDKN2A gene (gluteus sarcoma age 20; bilateral breast ca; ages 45 and 50; father lung ca, age 70; brother melanoma, age 35). Three patients had a significant mutation of a recessive condition in MUYTH. Of 61 patients previously tested negative for HBOC, 1 had a pathogenic variant in BRCA1 and 17/ 19 patients with VUS were classified negative in BRCA genes with MyRisk.Patients are willing to be disclosed all available information from panel testing. Differences were observed among type of results at short and mid-term. Cancer worry was higher in moderate-penetrance carriers than high penetrance carriers. Longer follow up is ongoing. Conclusions: Panel testing in patients with HBOC yielded a 19, 3% mutation rate, increasing the yield of genetic mutations beyond BRCA. Patients are willing to be disclosed all available information from panel testing

The Activity of the Neighbours of Seyfert Galaxies

We present a follow-up study on a series of papers concerning the role of close interactions as a possible triggering mechanism of AGN activity. We have already studied the close (<100kpc/h) and the large scale (<1 Mpc/h) environment of a local sample of Sy1, Sy2 and bright IRAS galaxies (BIRG) and their respective control samples. The results led us to the conclusion that a close encounter appears capable of activating a sequence where an absorption line galaxy (ALG) galaxy becomes first a starburst, then a Sy2 and finally a Sy1. Here we investigate the activity of neighboring galaxies of different types of AGN, since both galaxies of an interacting pair should be affected. To this end we present the optical spectroscopy and X-ray imaging of 30 neighbouring galaxies around two local (z<0.034) samples of 10 Sy1 and 13 Sy2 galaxies. Based on the optical spectroscopy we find that more than 70% of all neighbouring galaxies exhibit star forming and/or nuclear activity (namely recent star formation and/or AGN), while an additional X-ray analysis showed that this percentage might be significantly higher. Furthermore, we find a statistically significant correlation, at a 99.9% level, between the value of the neighbour's [OIII]/H\beta ratio and the activity type of the central active galaxy, i.e. the neighbours of Sy2 galaxies are systematically more ionized than the neighbours of Sy1s. This result, in combination with trends found using the Equivalent Width of the H\alpha emission line and the stellar population synthesis code STARLIGHT, indicate differences in the stellar mass, metallicity and star formation history between the samples. Our results point towards a link between close galaxy interactions and activity and also provide more clues regarding the possible evolutionary sequence inferred by our previous studies.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A. 17 pages, 4 figures. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:0910.1355v1 (withdrawn

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition trajectories in developmental and disease

Resumen del trabajo presentado al 19th International Congress of Developmental Biology, celebrado en El Algarve (Portugal) del 16 al 20 de octubre de 2022.The Epithelial to Mesenchymal transition (EMT) triggers cell plasticity during embryonic development and tissue repair, but it can also promote tumor progression and organ degeneration. The reactivation of EMT in the adult promotes cell dedifferentiation and profound remodeling of the epithelial program, leading to multiple phenotypes, observed in response to injury, during organ fibrosis and cancer cell dissemination. Despite recent advances, identifying universal EMT molecular signatures and understanding how EMT can instructs different outcomes have remained elusive due to the intrinsic complexity and heterogeneity of the process. We have dissected how EMT transcription factors (EMT-TFs) orchestrate TGFBinduced EMT including phenotypic and behavioral states. Further, we have combined lineage tracing and single-cell transcriptomics in three EMT contexts, namely the neural crest, renal fibrosis, and breast cancer to reveal conserved EMT transcription factor codes and signaling pathways that discriminate different EMT states. After inferring cellular trajectories, we have reconstructed the evolution of EMT phenotypic and functional states in all these contexts. Finally, multiplex labeling allowed to spatially allocate distinct EMT programs in mouse and human tumor samples. Altogether, this work unveils distinct EMT trajectories in development and disease, which should also help propase improved therapeutic strategies for organ fibrosis and cancer.Peer reviewe

Two distinct epithelial to mesenchymal transition programmes. Control invasion and inflammation in segregated tumour cell populations

Resumen del trabajo presentado al 19th Christmas Meeting del Instituto de Neurociencias (CSIC-UMH) celebrado el 21 de diciembre de 2022.Epithelial plasticity is at the core of crucial processes including embryonic cell migration, cancer progression, organ tibrosis and tissue repair. The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) triggers cell plasticity in all these contexts, highlighting its pleiotropy and intrinsic complcxity. Seminal studies have classified EMT states in cancer celllines and animal modcls. This varicty ofEMT phenotypes necds further investigation, particularly those relevant to the progression ofprevalent and dcvastating diseases such as cancer. Our objcctive is to analyse at single-cell level how different EMT states are established in tumours and if different EMT states pcrform different functions during tumour progression.Peer reviewe

Influence of IL28B Polymorphisms on Response to a Lower-Than-Standard Dose peg-IFN-α 2a for Genotype 3 Chronic Hepatitis C in HIV-Coinfected Patients

Background: Data on which to base definitive recommendations on the doses and duration of therapy for genotype 3 HCV/HIV-coinfected patients are scarce. We evaluated the efficacy of a lower peginterferon-α 2a dose and a shorter duration of therapy than the current standard of care in genotype 3 HCV/HIV-coinfected patients. Methods and Findings: Pilot, open-label, single arm clinical trial which involved 58 Caucasian HCV/HIV-coinfected patients who received weekly 135 μg peginterferon-α 2a plus ribavirin 400 mg twice daily during 20 weeks after attaining undetectable viremia. The relationships between baseline patient-related variables, including IL28B genotype, plasma HCV-RNA, ribavirin dose/kg, peginterferon-α 2a and ribavirin levels with virological responses were analyzed. Only 4 patients showed lack of response and 5 patients dropped out due to adverse events related to the study medication. Overall, sustained virologic response (SVR) rates were 58.3% by intention-to-treat and 71.4% by per protocol analysis, respectively. Among patients with rapid virologic response (RVR), SVR and relapses rates were 92.6% and 7.4%, respectively. No relationships were observed between viral responses and ribavirin dose/kg, peginterferon-α 2a concentrations, ribavirin levels or rs129679860 genotype. Conclusions: Weekly 135 μg pegIFN-α 2a could be as effective as the standard 180 μg dose, with a very low incidence of severe adverse events. A 24-week treatment duration appears to be appropriate in patients achieving RVR, but extending treatment up to just 20 weeks beyond negativization of viremia is associated with a high relapse rate in those patients not achieving RVR. There was no influence of IL28B genotype on the virological responses. © 2012 López-Cortés et al.Funding provided by Fundación Pública Andaluza para la gestión de la Investigación en Salud de Sevilla. Hospitales Universitarios Virgen del Rocío. Seville, Spain. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay Hu-INF-α kits for determination of pegIFN-α-2a were financed by Roche Pharma, S.A. (Spain).Peer Reviewe

Association mapping of malting quality traits in UK spring and winter barley cultivar collections

Key Message: Historical malting quality data was collated from UK national and recommended list trial data and used in a GWAS. 25 QTL were identified, with the majority from spring barley cultivar sets. Abstract: In Europe, the most economically significant use of barley is the production of malt for use in the brewing and distilling industries. As such, selection for traits related to malting quality is of great commercial interest. In order to study the genetic basis of variation for malting quality traits in UK cultivars, a historical set of trial data was collated from national and recommended list trials from the period 1988 to 2016. This data was used to estimate variety means for 20 quality related traits in 451 spring barley cultivars, and 407 winter cultivars. Genotypes for these cultivars were generated using iSelect 9k and 50k genotyping platforms, and a genome wide association scan performed to identify malting quality quantitative trait loci (QTL). 24 QTL were identified in spring barley cultivars, and 2 from the winter set. A number of these correspond to known malting quality related genes but the remainder represents novel genetic variation that is accessible to breeders for the genetic improvement of new cultivars.Mark E. Looseley, Luke Ramsay, Hazel Bull, J. Stuart Swanston, Paul D. Shaw, Malcolm Macaulay, Allan Booth, Joanne R. Russell, Robbie Waugh, on behalf of the IMPROMALT Consortium, William T.B. Thoma