Exploring glycopeptide-resistance in Staphylococcus aureus: a combined proteomics and transcriptomics approach for the identification of resistance-related markers

BACKGROUND: To unravel molecular targets involved in glycopeptide resistance, three isogenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus with different susceptibility levels to vancomycin or teicoplanin were subjected to whole-genome microarray-based transcription and quantitative proteomic profiling. Quantitative proteomics performed on membrane extracts showed exquisite inter-experimental reproducibility permitting the identification and relative quantification of >30% of the predicted S. aureus proteome. RESULTS: In the absence of antibiotic selection pressure, comparison of stable resistant and susceptible strains revealed 94 differentially expressed genes and 178 proteins. As expected, only partial correlation was obtained between transcriptomic and proteomic results during stationary-phase. Application of massively parallel methods identified one third of the complete proteome, a majority of which was only predicted based on genome sequencing, but never identified to date. Several over-expressed genes represent previously reported targets, while series of genes and proteins possibly involved in the glycopeptide resistance mechanism were discovered here, including regulators, global regulator attenuator, hyper-mutability factor or hypothetical proteins. Gene expression of these markers was confirmed in a collection of genetically unrelated strains showing altered susceptibility to glycopeptides. CONCLUSION: Our proteome and transcriptome analyses have been performed during stationary-phase of growth on isogenic strains showing susceptibility or intermediate level of resistance against glycopeptides. Altered susceptibility had emerged spontaneously after infection with a sensitive parental strain, thus not selected in vitro. This combined analysis allows the identification of hundreds of proteins considered, so far as hypothetical protein. In addition, this study provides not only a global picture of transcription and expression adaptations during a complex antibiotic resistance mechanism but also unravels potential drug targets or markers that are constitutively expressed by resistant strains regardless of their genetic background, amenable to be used as diagnostic targets

Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS: what has changed?

<p>The Authors examine the global, European and Italian epidemiology of HIV/AIDS on the basis of more recent international and national reports.</p><p>All limitations in the available data were considered. The epidemic seems to have expand in all of the areas, demonstrating the need for further interventions both in the prevention of the infection and the diffusion of antiretroviral treatments, where these are lacking.</p&gt

Effects of a community-based exercise and motivational intervention on physical fitness of subjects with type 2 diabetes

This study aimed to analyze the effects of a long-term community-based combined exercise program consisting of aerobic, resistance, flexibility and agility/balance training associated with motivational interviewing on physical fitness, physiological parameters and Physical Activity (PA) levels in middle-aged and older patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D)

Does Post-operative Psychotherapy Contribute to Improved Comorbidities in Bariatric Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder Traits and Bulimia Tendencies? A Prospective Study

Background: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and eating disorders may affect the outcomes of bariatric surgery. This study was aimed to evaluate the influence of a post-operative dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) intervention on weight loss and comorbidities in a sample of comorbid obese Italian patients with BPD traits and bulimia tendencies who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). Methods: One hundred fifty-four LRYGB or LAGB patients showing BPD and bulimia traits and type II diabetes, hypertension, and/or sleep apnea (OSAS) voluntarily adhered to DBT (n = 72) or treatment as usual (n = 82) for 12 months after surgery. Total weight loss (%TWL) and remission/improvement of comorbidities were considered as outcomes. Differences between treatment groups and between LRYGB and LAGB subgroups were evaluated through Student’s t test for TWL and chi-square test for comorbidities. Results: DBT was more effective than treatment as usual (TAU) in reducing weight loss (p < .001). Reduction of comorbidities was higher in patients treated with DBT, as for diabetes (p = .68), hypertension (p = .02), and OSAS (p = .03). LRYGB outcomes seem to be significantly better than those of LAGB, mainly in TAU group. Conclusion: Our findings confirm the effectiveness of DBT in enhancing post-bariatric weight loss and reduction of comorbidities in patients showing BPD traits and bulimia tendencies. Further in-depth investigations and a longer follow-up are needed to strengthen these results

Effects of nutrition motivational intervention in patients affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus: A longitudinal study in Naples, South Italy

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with a prion diminished quality of life, especially due to the severe complications that it implicates. Changing dietary habits is an absolute priority, as well as implementing nutritional motivational programs. The aim of this study was to verify the effectiveness of a nutritional intervention in improving the health of patients affected by T2D. Methods: A total of 69 patients participated in a nine-months motivational program focused on the principles of the Mediterranean diet, the classes of nutrients, the distribution of the meals during the day and the dietary choices. During regular meetings, the patients were requested to fill out a questionnaire about their dietary habits and behaviours. Clinical and metabolic parameters were also analysed. Results: At the end of the intervention the number of people who declared that they ate five meals a day (p = 0.006) and preferred to have fruit for snack (p = 0.004) increased, while there was a reduction in the use of sweeteners and an elimination of the use of fructose (p = 0.05). The total daily consumption of kilocalories (kcal) had been reduced and the percentages of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, after the intervention, follow the guidelines. In relation to this, a significant improvement (p < 0.05) was registered in systolic and diastolic pressure, BMI and waist circumference, as well as in glycaemic values (p = 0.018). Conclusions: A nutritional motivational intervention may be useful in improving dietary habits and health status of patients with T2D. We hope that a similar intervention will be applied in Campania and in other Italian regions. Trial registration: Registration number is ISRCTN11067689; date of registration: 10/09/2018. Retrospectively registered

An exercise-based educational and motivational intervention after surgery can improve behaviors, physical fitness and quality of life in bariatric patients.

IntroductionUnhealthy lifestyles may hinder bariatric surgery outcomes. This non-randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effects of an integrated post-operative exercise-based educational and motivational program in improving behaviors, quality of life, anthropometric features, cardiorespiratory and physical fitness in bariatric patients respect to the only surgical intervention.MethodsA group of adult sedentary bariatric patients chose to attend a 12-month exercise program integrated with diet education and motivational support, or to receive usual care. Dietary habits, binge eating disorder, physical activity, obesity-related quality of life, Body Mass Index, waist and hip circumference, VO2max, strength and flexibility were assessed at the start and at the end of the study in both groups.ResultsOn a total of 82 patients enrolled, follow-up measures were obtained from 28 (85.7% females, mean age 38.2±8.7) and 42 (71.4% females, mean age 40.2±9.5) patients included in the intervention and control group, respectively. All the behavioral and physical outcomes improved significantly in the participants to the intervention, while the control group showed lesser changes, especially regarding quality of life and physical fitness.ConclusionsNotwithstanding the self-selection, these results suggest that a timely postoperative behavioral multidisciplinary program for bariatric patients may be effective in establishing healthy behaviors which can lead to better surgery outcomes

How do Vaccinators Experience the Pandemic? Lifestyle Behaviors in a Sample of Italian Public Health Workers during the COVID-19 Era

Public health workers (PHWs) have experienced substantial workload changes because of their role in managing measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. The study&rsquo;s aim was to assess lifestyle changes in Italian PHWs during the pandemic. PHWs attending an annual meeting completed an anonymous questionnaire assessing their sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics and lifestyle changes during the pandemic. A total of 1000 questionnaires were completed. Most participants (63.5% women, mean age 40 &plusmn; 13.1 years) were of normal weight (61.5%), non-smokers (81.9%), had a total screen time of &ge;5 h/day (83.1%), and slept at least 6 h/night (88.7%). Approximately one-third consumed sweet foods every day (30%) and did not engage in physical activity (34.6%). Current sweet food consumption, physical activity, and sleep were associated with changes in these behaviors in the last 2 years (Tau-b = 0.155; Tau-b = &minus;0.175; Tau-b = &minus;0.276, respectively, p &lt; 0.001). An increase in remote working was associated with worse sleep (odds ratio (OR) 2.065, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.482&ndash;2.877) and diet (OR 1.982, 95% CI 1.385&ndash;2.838), and increased tablet/PC use (OR 3.314, 95% CI 2.358&ndash;4.656). Health promotion measures are needed to support the adoption of healthy lifestyles in this population during the current pandemic

Il ruolo dell’educazione fisica nella promozione della salute: uno studio multicentrico

Objectives: to point out weaknesses and strengths of Physical Education (PE) in the Italian school system on the basis of the students’ opinions. Methods: an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire regarding experiences and opinions about PE learned in the last two years of secondary school was distributed to a sample of freshmen from 14 Italian universities. Differences among groups coming from North, Center and South regions of Italy were also analyzed. Results: for 42,2% of the 7.033 participants the principal aim pursued during PE lessons was mainly recreation. More than the half of the students (62,2%) reported none or modest influence of PE on current personal Physical Activity (PA) practice. 67,2% of the sample is satisfied of PE received, mainly in Northern regions. Discussion and conclusions: there is a need to enhance PE teaching in the Italian school through an increase of time allocated to PE lessons and through their assignment to well-trained teachers

Il ruolo dell’educazione fisica nella promozione della salute: uno studio multicentrico [The role of physical education in health promotion: a multicenter study]

RIASSUNTO Obiettivi: evidenziare limiti e punti di forza dell’insegnamento di Educazione Fisica (EF) nell’attuale sistema scolastico italiano sulla base delle opinioni degli studenti. Metodi: ad un campione di matricole provenienti da 14 università italiane è stato somministrato un questionario anonimo da autocompilare riguardante esperienze e giudizi relativi all’insegnamento di EF ricevuto nell’ultimo biennio di scuola. Sono state anche analizzate eventuali differenze tra Nord, Centro e Sud. Risultati: su 7.033 partecipanti, il 42,2% riportava come obiettivo principale perseguito durante le lezioni di EF quello “ricreativo”. Più della metà degli studenti (62,2%) ha riferito nessuna o modesta influenza delle lezioni di EF sulla pratica corrente di Attività Fisica (AF). Il 67,2% del campione si ritiene soddisfatto degli insegnamenti di educazione fisica ricevuti, soprattutto nelle regioni del Nord. Discussione e conclusioni: l’analisi condotta ha evidenziato la necessità di migliorare l’offerta di tale insegnamento nella scuola italiana, sia incrementando il tempo dedicato alle lezioni, sia impiegando insegnanti adeguatamente preparati