Evidence for Reductive Genome Evolution and Lateral Acquisition of Virulence Functions in Two Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis Strains

Ruiz JC, D'Afonseca V, Silva A, et al. Evidence for Reductive Genome Evolution and Lateral Acquisition of Virulence Functions in Two Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis Strains. PLoS ONE. 2011;6(4): e18551.Background: Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, a Gram-positive, facultative intracellular pathogen, is the etiologic agent of the disease known as caseous lymphadenitis (CL). CL mainly affects small ruminants, such as goats and sheep; it also causes infections in humans, though rarely. This species is distributed worldwide, but it has the most serious economic impact in Oceania, Africa and South America. Although C. pseudotuberculosis causes major health and productivity problems for livestock, little is known about the molecular basis of its pathogenicity. Methodology and Findings: We characterized two C. pseudotuberculosis genomes (Cp1002, isolated from goats; and CpC231, isolated from sheep). Analysis of the predicted genomes showed high similarity in genomic architecture, gene content and genetic order. When C. pseudotuberculosis was compared with other Corynebacterium species, it became evident that this pathogenic species has lost numerous genes, resulting in one of the smallest genomes in the genus. Other differences that could be part of the adaptation to pathogenicity include a lower GC content, of about 52%, and a reduced gene repertoire. The C. pseudotuberculosis genome also includes seven putative pathogenicity islands, which contain several classical virulence factors, including genes for fimbrial subunits, adhesion factors, iron uptake and secreted toxins. Additionally, all of the virulence factors in the islands have characteristics that indicate horizontal transfer. Conclusions: These particular genome characteristics of C. pseudotuberculosis, as well as its acquired virulence factors in pathogenicity islands, provide evidence of its lifestyle and of the pathogenicity pathways used by this pathogen in the infection process. All genomes cited in this study are available in the NCBI Genbank database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank/) under accession numbers CP001809 and CP001829

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Efeito da época do ano e período do dia sobre os parâmetros fisiológicos de reprodutores caprinos no semi-árido paraibano

Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, verificar o efeito da época do ano e período do dia sobre os parâmetros fisiológicos de reprodutores caprinos mestiços de Anglo-Nubiana com caprinos sem padrão racial definido, no Semi-árido paraibano. Utilizaram-se 20 caprinos machos, distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado no esquema fatorial 2 x 2, duas épocas: E1, maio a agosto e E2, setembro a dezembro, e dois turnos, manhã e tarde, repetidos no tempo, totalizando 80 parcelas. Para os parâmetros hematológicos estudou-se apenas o efeito da época do ano. Os parâmetros fisiológicos, temperatura retal e freqüência respiratória, foram influenciados (P < 0,01) pelo turno, enquanto a temperatura superficial sofreu influência (P < 0,01) de ambos os fatores, turno do dia e época do ano. Os parâmetros hematológicos, hemácias, hematócrito e volume globular médio, foram influenciados (P < 0,05) pela época do ano. A pouca variação dos parâmetros fisiológicos de caprinos mestiços de Anglo-Nubiana com sem padrão racial definido, demonstra alto grau de adaptação à temperaturas elevadas. No período de maior temperatura a perda de calor através da forma evaporativa, respiração, determina a elevação do hematócrito e do volume globular médio

Voltando o olhar para o professor: a psicologia e pedagogia caminhando juntas Turning our eyes to the teacher: psychology and pedagogy walking together

O presente estudo busca apresentar o trabalho da Equipe de Estágio do 5º ano de Psicologia da Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), em uma escola pública, no ano de 2000. A importância deste trabalho está na reflexão sobre o papel do psicólogo escolar, bem como de suas práticas, considerando que o trabalho realizado desenvolveu um processo de questionamento das relações estabelecidas nessa escola no que diz respeito à indisciplina e à prática pedagógica. Uma intervenção foi proposta a partir das queixas apresentadas, relacionadas à indisciplina dos alunos das quintas séries. O trabalho envolveu os integrantes da instituição escolar: professores, pais, equipe técnico-pedagógica e alunos. Como resultados pôde-se verificar que alguns integrantes do grupo de professores conseguiram perceber as relações existentes entre indisciplina, contexto escolar e social e prática pedagógica. Além disso, ocorreu uma integração entre os alunos, diminuindo a rivalidade e a indisciplina existentes entre eles.<br>The purpose of this study is to discuss the work of a group of Psychology students from the "State University of Maringá (UEM)" at a public school, in 2000. The importance of their work is the characterization the role of the school psychologist, as well as his practices, which was made possible through a critical examination of the relationships established in that school in regard to indiscipline and teaching practices. The idea of an intervention arose from the complaints expressed and which were related to indiscipline among students in the first year of grammar school. The work involved teachers, parents, the technical-pedagogical team and students. It was observed that some teachers were capable of identifying a relationship between indiscipline, social context, teaching practice and school context. Besides that, it was observed integration among students along with the decline of rivalry and unruly behavior

Parâmetros fisiológicos e índice de tolerância ao calor de bovinos da raça sindi no semi-árido paraibano Physiological parameters and heat tolerance index of sindi breed bovine in the semi-arid of Paraiba

Este trabalho foi conduzido no Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Paraíba. Foram utilizadas 12 fêmeas da raça Sindi, com idade média de 18 meses, com o objetivo de determinar os parâmetros fisiológicos e o índice de tolerância ao calor (ITC). Os parâmetros fisiológicos foram observados pela manhã e à tarde, semanalmente, durante 3 meses em cada estação (chuvosa e seca). Durante o período experimental as temperaturas máximas foram de 32,2 ºC e 38,2 ºC e mínimas de 24 ºC e 26º C, e o índice de temperatura do globo e umidade (ITGU) na sombra à tarde foi de 88,8 e 88,7, nas estações chuvosa e seca, respectivamente. Observou-se efeito (P<0,05) de estações sobre os parâmetros fisiológicos (temperatura retal, freqüências respiratória e cardíaca) e os hematológicos. Contudo, os parâmetros observados encontram-se nos padrões normais para a espécie bovina. Com relação a tolerância ao calor, os animais apresentaram um índice de 9,83 (nove vírgula oitenta e três), que é considerado alto. Conclui-se que esta raça está bem adaptada às condições climáticas do semi-árido.<br>This experiment was carried out in the Health and Technology Center (CSTR) of the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG) in Paraiba. Twelve female of the Sindi breed with 18 months of age were utilized, with the objective to determine the physiological parameters and Heat Tolerance Index (HTI). The physiological parameters were observed weekly, in the morning and in the afternoon, during 3 months in each season (rainy and dry season). In the experimental period, the maximum temperatures were 32,2 ºC and 38,2 ºC, the minimum temperatures were 24 ºC and 26 ºC and the Black Globe-Humidity Index (BGHI) in the shade was 88,8 and 88,7, for the rainy and dry season, respectively. There was significant effect of the season on the physiological parameters (Rectal temperature, Respiratory Frequency and Cardiac Frequency) and on the hematological parameters. However, these parameters are considered normal to this specie. About the heat tolerance, the animals presented a index of 9,83, which is considered high. It was concluded that this breed is well adapted to the conditions of the Semi-arid region in Brazil