Comparison of antimicrobial resistance phenotypes and genotypes in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolated from Australian and Vietnamese pigs

This study aimed to compare the antibiogram phenotype and carriage of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) of 97 porcine multidrug-resistant (MDR) enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) isolates obtained from Vietnam and 117 porcine MDR-ETEC obtained from Australia, two countries with different antimicrobial regulation systems. An antimicrobial resistance index (ARI) was calculated to quantify their potential significance to public health. Both Vietnamese and Australian isolates had moderate to high levels of resistance to commonly used antibiotics (ampicillin, tetracycline and sulphonamides). None of the Australian isolates were resistant to fluoroquinolones or third-generation cephalosporins and none possessed associated plasmid-mediated ARGs. However, 23.1% of Australian isolates were resistant to gentamicin owing to ARGs associated with apramycin or neomycin resistance [e.g. aac(3)-IV] that impart cross-resistance to gentamicin. Whilst Vietnamese isolates carried aminoglycoside ARGs, 44.4% of commercial pig isolates were resistant to gentamicin in comparison with 0% of village pig isolates. The plasmid-mediated fluoroquinolone ARG qnrB was commonly detected in Vietnamese isolates (52.3% commercial, 44.1% village), but phenotypic resistance was low (3.2% and 11.8%, respectively). The mean ARI for Vietnamese isolates (26.0) was significantly different (P < 0.001) from the mean ARI for Australian isolates (19.8), primarily reflecting fluoroquinolone resistance in the former collection. This comparison suggests the effectiveness of regulations that slow the dissemination of 'critical' resistance by restricting the availability of important classes of antimicrobials

Phytochemical investigation of hexanic extract of the Melaleuca leucadendra (l) l. Myrtaceae: Investigação fitoquímica do extrato hexânico da Melaleuca leucadendra (l) l. Myrtaceae

Studies on the effectiveness of species of the genus Melaleuca (Myrtaceae) against mastitis-causing bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, have focused on the chemical components of the essential oil. The goal of this work was to use GC-MS analysis to characterize the phytochemical composition of the hexane extract from Melaleuca leucadendra (L) L. leaves. There was evidence of 37 secondary metabolites, including 2-Hexadecen-1-ol, Nerolidol B (Cis or Trans), Heneicosan, Vitamin E, 3, 7, 11, and 15-Tetramethyl-, and [R-[R*,R*-(E)]]. Squalene, Cyclopropanemethanol, Gamma-Sitosterol, (-)-Caryophyllene Oxide, and Neophytadiene. The plant Melaleuca leucadendra (L) L. can be regarded as a source of nonpolar compounds with promise for the treatment of mastitis because of the significance and the wide range of biological activities documented in the literature on the compounds found in this study

Prebiotic effects: metabolic and health benefits

The different compartments of the gastrointestinal tract are inhabited by populations of micro-organisms. By far the most important predominant populations are in the colon where a true symbiosis with the host exists that is a key for well-being and health. For such a microbiota, 'normobiosis' characterises a composition of the gut 'ecosystem' in which micro-organisms with potential health benefits predominate in number over potentially harmful ones, in contrast to 'dysbiosis', in which one or a few potentially harmful micro-organisms are dominant, thus creating a disease-prone situation. The present document has been written by a group of both academic and industry experts (in the ILSI Europe Prebiotic Expert Group and Prebiotic Task Force, respectively). It does not aim to propose a new definition of a prebiotic nor to identify which food products are classified as prebiotic but rather to validate and expand the original idea of the prebiotic concept (that can be translated in 'prebiotic effects'), defined as: 'The selective stimulation of growth and/or activity(ies) of one or a limited number of microbial genus(era)/species in the gut microbiota that confer(s) health benefits to the host.' Thanks to the methodological and fundamental research of microbiologists, immense progress has very recently been made in our understanding of the gut microbiota. A large number of human intervention studies have been performed that have demonstrated that dietary consumption of certain food products can result in statistically significant changes in the composition of the gut microbiota in line with the prebiotic concept. Thus the prebiotic effect is now a well-established scientific fact. The more data are accumulating, the more it will be recognised that such changes in the microbiota's composition, especially increase in bifidobacteria, can be regarded as a marker of intestinal health. The review is divided in chapters that cover the major areas of nutrition research where a prebiotic effect has tentatively been investigated for potential health benefits. The prebiotic effect has been shown to associate with modulation of biomarkers and activity(ies) of the immune system. Confirming the studies in adults, it has been demonstrated that, in infant nutrition, the prebiotic effect includes a significant change of gut microbiota composition, especially an increase of faecal concentrations of bifidobacteria. This concomitantly improves stool quality (pH, SCFA, frequency and consistency), reduces the risk of gastroenteritis and infections, improves general well-being and reduces the incidence of allergic symptoms such as atopic eczema. Changes in the gut microbiota composition are classically considered as one of the many factors involved in the pathogenesis of either inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome. The use of particular food products with a prebiotic effect has thus been tested in clinical trials with the objective to improve the clinical activity and well-being of patients with such disorders. Promising beneficial effects have been demonstrated in some preliminary studies, including changes in gut microbiota composition (especially increase in bifidobacteria concentration). Often associated with toxic load and/or miscellaneous risk factors, colon cancer is another pathology for which a possible role of gut microbiota composition has been hypothesised. Numerous experimental studies have reported reduction in incidence of tumours and cancers after feeding specific food products with a prebiotic effect. Some of these studies (including one human trial) have also reported that, in such conditions, gut microbiota composition was modified (especially due to increased concentration of bifidobacteria). Dietary intake of particular food products with a prebiotic effect has been shown, especially in adolescents, but also tentatively in postmenopausal women, to increase Ca absorption as well as bone Ca accretion and bone mineral density. Recent data, both from experimental models and from human studies, support the beneficial effects of particular food products with prebiotic properties on energy homaeostasis, satiety regulation and body weight gain. Together, with data in obese animals and patients, these studies support the hypothesis that gut microbiota composition (especially the number of bifidobacteria) may contribute to modulate metabolic processes associated with syndrome X, especially obesity and diabetes type 2. It is plausible, even though not exclusive, that these effects are linked to the microbiota-induced changes and it is feasible to conclude that their mechanisms fit into the prebiotic effect. However, the role of such changes in these health benefits remains to be definitively proven. As a result of the research activity that followed the publication of the prebiotic concept 15 years ago, it has become clear that products that cause a selective modification in the gut microbiota's composition and/or activity(ies) and thus strengthens normobiosis could either induce beneficial physiological effects in the colon and also in extra-intestinal compartments or contribute towards reducing the risk of dysbiosis and associated intestinal and systemic pathologies

Structural Determinants and Children's Oral Health: A Cross-National Study

Much research on children's oral health has focused on proximal determinants at the expense of distal (upstream) factors. Yet, such upstream factors-the so-called structural determinants of health-play a crucial role. Children's lives, and in turn their health, are shaped by politics, economic forces, and social and public policies. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between children's clinical (number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth) and self-reported oral health (oral health-related quality of life) and 4 key structural determinants (governance, macroeconomic policy, public policy, and social policy) as outlined in the World Health Organization's Commission for Social Determinants of Health framework. Secondary data analyses were carried out using subnational epidemiological samples of 8- to 15-y-olds in 11 countries ( N = 6,648): Australia (372), New Zealand (three samples; 352, 202, 429), Brunei (423), Cambodia (423), Hong Kong (542), Malaysia (439), Thailand (261, 506), United Kingdom (88, 374), Germany (1498), Mexico (335), and Brazil (404). The results indicated that the type of political regime, amount of governance (e.g., rule of law, accountability), gross domestic product per capita, employment ratio, income inequality, type of welfare regime, human development index, government expenditure on health, and out-of-pocket (private) health expenditure by citizens were all associated with children's oral health. The structural determinants accounted for between 5% and 21% of the variance in children's oral health quality-of-life scores. These findings bring attention to the upstream or structural determinants as an understudied area but one that could reap huge rewards for public health dentistry research and the oral health inequalities policy agenda

Spatiotemporal evolution of coronavirus disease 2019 mortality in Brazil in 2020

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O papel pedagógico do analista de desempenho das categorias de base do futebol brasileiro

Performance Analysis and Sport Pedagogy are areas of knowledge that point to ways to improve sports practice. This article sought to identify the pedagogical role in the performance of performance analysts of the base categories of Brazilian clubs. The research, with a qualitative approach, used the Triangulation of Methods analysis procedure, based on semi-structured interviews with ten performance analysts from the basic categories of Brazilian men's soccer clubs in the series A (2020). It is concluded that although the analysts do not perceive their performance within the clubs as pedagogical, in practice this interface has been necessary in the development of the work of these professionals. In this way, the dialogue between the areas of Sport Pedagogy and Performance Analysis can contribute to the qualification and professional performance of performance analysts, enhancing the process of training young soccer players.El Análisis del Rendimiento y la Pedagogía del Deporte son áreas de conocimiento que apuntan caminos para mejorar la práctica deportiva. Este artículo buscó identificar el papel pedagógico en la actuación de los analistas de rendimiento de las categorías básicas de los clubes de fútbol masculino brasileño. La investigación, con enfoque cualitativo, utilizó el procedimiento de análisis Triangulación de Métodos, basado en entrevistas semiestructuradas con diez analistas del rendimiento de las categorías básicas de los clubes de fútbol masculino brasileño en la serie A (2020). Se concluye que aunque los analistas no perciban su actuación dentro de los clubes como pedagógica, en la práctica, esa interfaz ha sido necesaria en el desarrollo del trabajo de estos profesionales. Así, el diálogo entre las áreas de Pedagogía del Deporte y Análisis del Desempeño puede contribuir a la formación y desempeño profesional de los analistas del  rendimiento, potenciando el proceso de formación de jóvenes futbolistas.A Análise de Desempenho e a Pedagogia do Esporte são áreas de conhecimento que apontam caminhos para a melhora da prática esportiva. O presente artigo buscou identificar o papel pedagógico na atuação dos analistas de desempenho das categorias de base dos clubes brasileiros. A pesquisa, de abordagem qualitativa, utilizou o procedimento de análise de Triangulação de Métodos, a partir de entrevistas semiestruturadas com dez analistas de desempenho das categorias de base dos clubes brasileiros de futebol masculino da série A (2020). Conclui-se que embora os analistas não percebam a sua atuação dentro dos clubes como de cunho pedagógico, na prática essa interface vem sendo necessária no desenvolvimento do trabalho destes profissionais. Dessa maneira o diálogo entre as áreas da Pedagogia do Esporte e da Análise de Desempenho pode contribuir para qualificação e atuação profissional dos analistas de desempenho, potencializando o processo de formação de jovens jogadores de futebol

Migration outflows and optimal migration policy: rules versus discretion

We study the effects of more open borders on return migration and show that migrants are more likely to return to the origin country when migration rules are softened, because this implies that they could more easily re-migrate if return migration is unsuccessful. As a result, softening migration rules leads to lower net inflows than is generally acknowledged. We show that if government follows rules to shape the optimal migration policy, it will choose more open “borders” than were its behaviour to be discretionary. However, this requires an appropriate commitment technology. We show that electoral accountability may be a solution to the commitment problem. As a matter of fact, observed softer immigration rules in western countries suggest the effectiveness of such a mechanism.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Clinicopathological Characteristics in Combined Hepatocellular-Cholangiocarcinoma: A Single Center Study in Korea

PURPOSE: Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (CHCC) is an uncommon form of cancer, and its clinicopathological features have rarely been reported in detail. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors of CHCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinicopathological features of patients diagnosed with CHCC at Severance Hospital between January 1996 and December 2007 were retrospectively studied by comparing them with the features of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or cholangiocarcinoma (CC) who had undergone a hepatic resection during the same period. RESULTS: Forty-three patients diagnosed with CHCC were included in this study (M : F=35 : 8, median age, 55 years). According to the parameters of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging, there were 6 (14.0%), 9 (20.9%), 25 (58.1%), and 3 (7.0%) patients with stages I, II, III, and IV cancer, respectively. Thirty-two of the 43 patients underwent resection with curative intent. After resection, 27 patients (84.4%) had tumor recurrence during the follow-up period of 18 months (range: 6-106 months), and the median time to recurrence was 13 months. Overall median survival periods after hepatic resection of CHCC, HCC and CC were 34, 103 and 38.9 months, respectively (p<0.001). The median overall survival for all patients with CHCC was 21 months, and the 5-year survival rate was 18.1%. The presence of portal vein thrombosis and distant metastasis were independent prognostic factors of poor survival. CONCLUSION: Even after curative hepatic resection, the presence of a cholangiocellular component appeared to be a poor prognostic indicator in patients with primary liver cancer.ope