Genetic and Phenotypic Characterization of the Etiological Agent of Canine Orchiepididymitis Smooth Brucella sp. BCCN84.3

Members of the genus Brucella cluster in two phylogenetic groups: classical and non-classical species. The former group is composed of Brucella species that cause disease in mammals, including humans. A Brucella species, labeled as Brucella sp. BCCN84.3, was isolated from the testes of a Saint Bernard dog suffering orchiepididymitis, in Costa Rica. Following standard microbiological methods, the bacterium was first defined as "Brucella melitensis biovar 2." Further molecular typing, identified the strain as an atypical "Brucella suis." Distinctive Brucella sp. BCCN84.3 markers, absent in other Brucella species and strains, were revealed by fatty acid methyl ester analysis, high resolution melting PCR and omp25 and omp2a/omp2b gene diversity. Analysis of multiple loci variable number of tandem repeats and whole genome sequencing demonstrated that this isolate was different from the currently described Brucella species. The smooth Brucella sp. BCCN84.3 clusters together with the classical Brucella Glade and displays all the genes required for virulence. Brucella sp. BCCN84.3 is a species nova taxonomical entity displaying pathogenicity; therefore, relevant for differential diagnoses in the context of brucellosis. Considering the debate on the Brucella species concept, there is a need to describe the extant taxonomical entities of these pathogens in order to understand the dispersion and evolution

Subjective Well-Being among Communities Left Behind by International Migrants

This article assesses the impact of international migration on the subjective well-being of communities of origin in Mexico. Using a representative national survey and an empirical strategy with instrumental variables, we find that higher migratory intensity, at the municipal level, increases life satisfaction among men and women. There is a negative effect on emotional states of women, but an improvement in emotional states of men. Without controlling for schooling, a variable affected by international migration, men have a lower satisfaction with their perspective of future. Overall, the evidence in Mexico shows that the effects of international migration in the communities of origin are complex and with differential effects based on gender

Global phylogenomic diversity of Brucella abortus: spread of a dominant lineage

Brucella abortus is a globally important zoonotic pathogen largely found in cattle hosts and is typically transmitted to humans through contaminated dairy products or contact with diseased animals. Despite the long, shared history of cattle and humans, little is known about how trade in cattle has spread this pathogen throughout the world. Whole genome sequencing provides unparalleled resolution to investigate the global evolutionary history of a bacterium such as B. abortus by providing phylogenetic resolution that has been unobtainable using other methods. We report on large-scale genome sequencing and analysis of B. abortus collected globally from cattle and 16 other hosts from 52 countries. We used single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to identify genetic variation in 1,074 B. abortus genomes and using maximum parsimony generated a phylogeny that identified four major clades. Two of these clades, clade A (median date 972 CE; 95% HPD, 781–1142 CE) and clade B (median date 150 BCE; 95% HPD, 515 BCE–164 CE), were exceptionally diverse for this species and are exclusively of African origin where provenance is known. The third clade, clade C (median date 949 CE; 95% HPD, 766–1102 CE), had most isolates coming from a broad swath of the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, also had relatively high diversity. Finally, the fourth major clade, clade D (median date 1467 CE; 95% HPD, 1367–1553 CE) comprises the large majority of genomes in a dominant but relatively monomorphic group that predominantly infects cattle in Europe and the Americas. These data are consistent with an African origin for B. abortus and a subsequent spread to the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, probably through the movement of infected cattle. We hypothesize that European arrival to the Americas starting in the 15th century introduced B. abortus from Western Europe through the introduction of a few common cattle breeds infected with strains from clade D. These data provide the foundation of a comprehensive global phylogeny of this important zoonotic pathogen that should be an important resource in human and veterinary epidemiology

Corrigendum: genetic and phenotypic characterization of the etiological agent of canine orchiepididymitis smooth brucella sp. BCCN84.3

In the original article, there was an error. In the Funding statement is written that MZ was granted with a fellowship from SEP, Universidad de Costa Rica. The correct Initials are MS-E

Trastornos motores y endoscópicos en sujetos obesos asintomáticos

ResumenIntroducciónLa obesidad es un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar los hallazgos endoscópicos y manométricos entre pacientes con obesidad y sujetos no obesos asintomáticos.Material y métodosSe realizó un estudio prospectivo, comparativo con 56 pacientes con obesidad, sin síntomas de reflujo, con índice de DeMeester < 14.7, los cuales fueron comparados con 30 sujetos voluntarios no obesos asintomáticos.Resultadosla presencia de hernia hiatal y esofagitis fue más frecuente en el grupo de pacientes con obesidad (hernia hiatal GI 28%, GII 10%; p<0.05) (esofagitis GI 8.9%, GII 0%). La presión del esfínter esofágico inferior fue menor en los sujetos obesos (GI 7.18 ± 3.78, GII 12.84 ± 4.82; p<0.05). Se identificó una fuerte asociación entre la obesidad y la dismotilidad del cuerpo esofágico (RM=7; IC 95%=2.73-22.88). En conclusión, los pacientes con obesidad exhiben mayor frecuencia de hernia hiatal y esofagitis, así como disminución de la presión del esfínter esofágico inferior aún cuando son asintomáticos para reflujo. Existe una fuerte asociación entre la dismotilidad del cuerpo esofágico y la obesidad.AbstractIntroductionObesity is associated with gastroesophageal reflux. The aim of this prospective study was to compare endoscopic and manometric findings in asymptomatic obese patients and compare it to non-obese individuals.Material and methodsA prospective, comparative study was conducted with 56 obese patients without GERD symptoms and index DeMeester reflux < 14.7 were compared to 30 asymptomatic no-obese individuals.Resultsthe presence of hiatal hernia and esophagitis was more frequent in the group of obese patients (hiatal hernia GI 28%, GI GII 10%; p<0.05) (esophagitis GI 8.9%, GII 0%). The lower esophageal sphincter pressure was lower in obese subjects (GI 7.18 ± 3.78, GII 12.84 ± 4.82; p<0.05). We identified a strong association between obesity and esophageal body dysmotility (OR=7; CI 95%=2.73-22.88). In conclusion, obese patients show increased frequency of hiatal hernia and esophagitis, as well as decreased lower esophageal sphincter pressure even when they are asymptomatic for reflux. There is a strong association between esophageal body dysmotility and obesit