A blaVIM-2 Plasmid Disseminating in Extensively Drug-Resistant Clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens Isolates

Infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates are an issue of major global concern (1). Genes coding for metallo-β-lactamases (MβLs) identified in clinical isolates are associated with mobile elements and subject to horizontal genetic transfer (HGT) events (2–6). VIM-2 is present on numerous plasmids, but only pNOR-2000 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa COL-1 from France (7, 8) and pLD209 from Pseudomonas putida LD209 from Argentina (9) have been completely sequenced. Here, we report the complete sequence and characterization of plasmid pDCPR1 harboring a blaVIM-2 gene cassette in a Tn402-type class 1 integron, which was isolated from two extensively drug-resistant strains: P. aeruginosa 802 (from a burn patient at the Hospital Municipal de Quemados, Argentina, 2005) and S. marcescens 68313 (Sanatorio Sagrado Corazón, Argentina, 2012).Fil: Vilacoba, Elisabet. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; ArgentinaFil: Quiroga, Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; ArgentinaFil: Pistorio, Mariano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Famiglietti, Angela María Rosa. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Hernan Bernardo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Kovensky, Jaime. Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Hospital Municipal de Quemados; ArgentinaFil: Deraspe, Maxime. Université du Québec a Montreal; Canadá. Laval University; CanadáFil: Raymond, Frédéric. Université du Québec a Montreal; Canadá. Laval University; CanadáFil: Roy, Paul H.. Université du Québec a Montreal; Canadá. Laval University; CanadáFil: Centron, Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; Argentin

Integrating Data from GRACE and Other Observing Systems for Hydrological Research and Applications

The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission provides a unique view of water cycle dynamics, enabling the only space based observations of water on and beneath the land surface that are not limited by depth. GRACE data are immediately useful for large scale applications such as ice sheet ablation monitoring, but they are even more valuable when combined with other types of observations, either directly or within a data assimilation system. Here we describe recent results of hydrological research and applications projects enabled by GRACE. These include the following: 1) global monitoring of interannual variability of terrestrial water storage and groundwater; 2) water balance estimates of evapotranspiration over several large river basins; 3) NASA's Energy and Water Cycle Study (NEWS) state of the global water budget project; 4) drought indicator products now being incorporated into the U.S. Drought Monitor; 5) GRACE data assimilation over several regions

Emerging Trends in Global Freshwater Availability

Freshwater availability is changing worldwide. Here we quantify 34 trends in terrestrial water storage (TWS) observed by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites during 2002-2016 and categorize their drivers as natural interannual variability, unsustainable groundwater consumption, or climate change. Several of these trends had been lacking thorough investigation and attribution, including massive changes in northwestern China and the Okavango delta. Others are consistent with climate model predictions. This observation-based assessment of how the world's water landscape is responding to human impacts and climate variations provides a blueprint for evaluating and predicting emerging threats to water and food security

Emergence of ceftazidime/avibactam resistance in KPC-8–producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in South America

Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the so-called ESKAPE pathogens. These organisms are the main cause of nosocomial infections worldwide, causing life-threatening infections amongst critically ill and immunocompromised individuals. They are characterized by drug resistance mechanisms. Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing isolates display resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents, usually including last-resort alternative options, leading to an urgent need to develop new drugs or combinations. In Argentina sequence type (ST) 258 harbouring bla KPC-2 emerged in 2010 and remained prevalent until the last few years, when the emergence of different STs such as ST25, ST11 and ST307 appeared likely to change the local epidemiology.Fil: García, J.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Nastro, Marcela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Cejas, Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquimica. Instituto de Investigaciones En Bacteriologia y Virologia Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Santana, G.. No especifíca;Fil: Mancino, M.B.. No especifíca;Fil: Hidalgo, M.. No especifíca;Fil: Maccallini, G.. No especifíca;Fil: Vay, C.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Radice, Marcela Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquimica. Instituto de Investigaciones En Bacteriologia y Virologia Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Dabos, L.. Université Paris Sud; FranciaFil: Famiglietti, Angela María Rosa. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez, H.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; Argentin

Human-water interface in hydrological modeling: Current status and future directions

Over the last decades, the global population has been rapidly increasing and human activities have altered terrestrial water fluxes at an unprecedented scale. The phenomenal growth of the human footprint has significantly modified hydrological processes in various ways (e.g., irrigation, artificial dams, and water diversion) and at various scales (from a watershed to the globe). During the early 1990s, awareness of the potential water scarcity led to the first detailed global water resource assessments. Shortly thereafter, in order to analyse the human perturbation on terrestrial water resources, the first generation of large-scale hydrological models (LHMs) was produced. However, at this early stage few models considered the interaction between terrestrial water fluxes and human activities, including water use and reservoir regulation, and even fewer models distinguished water use from surface water and groundwater resources. Since the early 2000s, a growing number of LHMs are incorporating human impacts on hydrological cycle, yet human representations in hydrological models remain challenging. In this paper we provide a synthesis of progress in the development and application of human impact modeling in LHMs. We highlight a number of key challenges and discuss possible improvements in order to better represent the human-water interface in hydrological models

Human–water interface in hydrological modelling: current status and future directions

Over recent decades, the global population has been rapidly increasing and human activities have altered terrestrial water fluxes to an unprecedented extent. The phenomenal growth of the human footprint has significantly modified hydrological processes in various ways (e.g. irrigation, artificial dams, and water diversion) and at various scales (from a watershed to the globe). During the early 1990s, awareness of the potential for increased water scarcity led to the first detailed global water resource assessments. Shortly thereafter, in order to analyse the human perturbation on terrestrial water resources, the first generation of largescale hydrological models (LHMs) was produced. However, at this early stage few models considered the interaction between terrestrial water fluxes and human activities, including water use and reservoir regulation, and even fewer models distinguished water use from surface water and groundwater resources. Since the early 2000s, a growing number of LHMs have incorporated human impacts on the hydrological cycle, yet the representation of human activities in hydrological models remains challenging. In this paper we provide a synthesis of progress in the development and application of human impact modelling in LHMs. We highlight a number of key challenges and discuss possible improvements in order to better represent the human-water interface in hydrological models

Organotypic Culture of Physiologically Functional Adult Mammalian Retinas

BACKGROUND: The adult mammalian retina is an important model in research on the central nervous system. Many experiments require the combined use of genetic manipulation, imaging, and electrophysiological recording, which make it desirable to use an in vitro preparation. Unfortunately, the tissue culture of the adult mammalian retina is difficult, mainly because of the high energy consumption of photoreceptors. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We describe an interphase culture system for adult mammalian retina that allows for the expression of genes delivered to retinal neurons by particle-mediated transfer. The retinas retain their morphology and function for up to six days— long enough for the expression of many genes of interest—so that effects upon responses to light and receptive fields could be measured by patch recording or multielectrode array recording. We show that a variety of genes encoding pre- and post-synaptic marker proteins are localized correctly in ganglion and amacrine cells. CONCLUSIONS: In this system the effects on neuronal function of one or several introduced exogenous genes can be studied within intact neural circuitry of adult mammalian retina. This system is flexible enough to be compatible with genetic manipulation, imaging, cell transfection, pharmacological assay, and electrophysiological recordings

Profile of risks for genital infections in university students

Las infecciones genitales causadas por Chlamydia trachomatis se transmiten por contacto sexual. Son infecciones asintomáticas en la mayoría de los casos, y su portación crónica que puede ocasionar la aparición de complicaciones de variada gravedad. Los datos de prevalencia de esta infección en nuestro país, son escasos y dispersos. El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido profundizar el conocimiento de la epidemiología de la infección por C. trachomatis en jóvenes, y generar información respecto de su perfil de riesgo para la adquisición de infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) en general. Para ello, participaron del estudio 204 jóvenes universitarios de edad promedio 23 años, que remitieron una muestra de orina de primera micción y llenaron una encuesta que entregaron en forma anónima. Analizando las muestras remitidas mediante dos técnicas distintas de amplificación génica, no se obtuvo detección de marcadores moleculares de C. trachomatis en ninguna de las orinas procesadas. Los resultados de las encuestas mostraron en la población en estudio, una muy baja tasa de cambio de pareja en el último año, así como una edad promedio de inicio de relaciones sexuales (17,6 años) relativamente alta. Sin embargo, se documentó un deficiente uso del preservativo, y la referecia concomitante a ITS anteriores. La ausencia de detección de C. trachomatis refleja su baja circulación en la población estudiada. Ésto, junto a lo reflejado en algunos aspectos de las encuestas, indicaría una población con bajo riesgo para adquisición de ITS. Pero otros de los datos recabados presentarían evidencia contraria, alertando sobre la necesidad de mantener la vigilancia.The genital infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis are sexually transmitted infections (STI). These C. trachomatis infections are mostly asymptomatic, so they can lead to complications of diverse graveness. The prevalence data generated in our country in regard to this infection is limited and scattered. The aim of this study was to go deep into the knowledge of the epidemiology of the C. trachomatis genital infection among young people, and to arise some information about their risk profiles to acquire STI. 204 young college students with average age of 23 were involved in this study. Each participant delivered a sample of fist void urine and filled in a questionnaire wich was then submitted anonymously. Analyzing every specimen by two different techniques of DNA amplification, no molecular marker of the presence of C. trachomatis were detected among the processed urines. The results of the questionnaires showed that the studied population had a very low rate of changing partners over the last year, as well as relatively high age (17,6 years old) for the first sexual intercourse. However, a deficient use of condom was observed, and there were references regarding history of STI. The absence of C. trachomatis detection reflects its low circulation among the studied population. This fact, along with some aspects showed by the results of the questionnaires, would characterize a population with a low risk profile to acquire STIs. But, some other information arised from that questionnaires would give some opposite evidence, wich would alert us on the need of keeping the watch on these populations.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Profile of risks for genital infections in university students

Las infecciones genitales causadas por Chlamydia trachomatis se transmiten por contacto sexual. Son infecciones asintomáticas en la mayoría de los casos, y su portación crónica que puede ocasionar la aparición de complicaciones de variada gravedad. Los datos de prevalencia de esta infección en nuestro país, son escasos y dispersos. El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido profundizar el conocimiento de la epidemiología de la infección por C. trachomatis en jóvenes, y generar información respecto de su perfil de riesgo para la adquisición de infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) en general. Para ello, participaron del estudio 204 jóvenes universitarios de edad promedio 23 años, que remitieron una muestra de orina de primera micción y llenaron una encuesta que entregaron en forma anónima. Analizando las muestras remitidas mediante dos técnicas distintas de amplificación génica, no se obtuvo detección de marcadores moleculares de C. trachomatis en ninguna de las orinas procesadas. Los resultados de las encuestas mostraron en la población en estudio, una muy baja tasa de cambio de pareja en el último año, así como una edad promedio de inicio de relaciones sexuales (17,6 años) relativamente alta. Sin embargo, se documentó un deficiente uso del preservativo, y la referecia concomitante a ITS anteriores. La ausencia de detección de C. trachomatis refleja su baja circulación en la población estudiada. Ésto, junto a lo reflejado en algunos aspectos de las encuestas, indicaría una población con bajo riesgo para adquisición de ITS. Pero otros de los datos recabados presentarían evidencia contraria, alertando sobre la necesidad de mantener la vigilancia.The genital infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis are sexually transmitted infections (STI). These C. trachomatis infections are mostly asymptomatic, so they can lead to complications of diverse graveness. The prevalence data generated in our country in regard to this infection is limited and scattered. The aim of this study was to go deep into the knowledge of the epidemiology of the C. trachomatis genital infection among young people, and to arise some information about their risk profiles to acquire STI. 204 young college students with average age of 23 were involved in this study. Each participant delivered a sample of fist void urine and filled in a questionnaire wich was then submitted anonymously. Analyzing every specimen by two different techniques of DNA amplification, no molecular marker of the presence of C. trachomatis were detected among the processed urines. The results of the questionnaires showed that the studied population had a very low rate of changing partners over the last year, as well as relatively high age (17,6 years old) for the first sexual intercourse. However, a deficient use of condom was observed, and there were references regarding history of STI. The absence of C. trachomatis detection reflects its low circulation among the studied population. This fact, along with some aspects showed by the results of the questionnaires, would characterize a population with a low risk profile to acquire STIs. But, some other information arised from that questionnaires would give some opposite evidence, wich would alert us on the need of keeping the watch on these populations.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria