Comparative Genomics ofAcinetobacter baumanniiClinical Strains From Brazil Reveals Polyclonal Dissemination and Selective Exchange of Mobile Genetic Elements Associated With Resistance Genes

Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen infecting immunocompromised patients and has gained attention worldwide due to its increased antimicrobial resistance. Here, we report a comparative whole-genome sequencing and analysis coupled with an assessment of antibiotic resistance of 46 Acinetobacter strains (45 A. baumannii plus one Acinetobacter nosocomialis) originated from five hospitals from the city of Recife, Brazil, between 2010 and 2014. An average of 3,809 genes were identified per genome, although only 2,006 genes were single copy orthologs or core genes conserved across all sequenced strains, with an average of 42 new genes found per strain. We evaluated genetic distance through a phylogenetic analysis and MLST as well as the presence of antibiotic resistance genes, virulence markers and mobile genetic elements (MGE). The phylogenetic analysis recovered distinct monophyletic A. baumannii groups corresponding to five known (ST1, ST15, ST25, ST79, and ST113) and one novel ST (ST881, related to ST1). A large number of ST specific genes were found, with the ST79 strains having the largest number of genes in common that were missing from the other STs. Multiple genes associated with resistance to β-lactams, aminoglycosides and other antibiotics were found. Some of those were clearly mapped to defined MGEs and an analysis of those revealed known elements as well as a novel Tn7-Tn3 transposon with a clear ST specific distribution. An association of selected resistance/virulence markers with specific STs was indeed observed, as well as the recent spread of the OXA-253 carbapenemase encoding gene. Virulence genes associated with the synthesis of the capsular antigens were noticeably more variable in the ST113 and ST79 strains. Indeed, several resistance and virulence genes were common to the ST79 and ST113 strains only, despite a greater genetic distance between them, suggesting common means of genetic exchange. Our comparative analysis reveals the spread of multiple STs and the genomic plasticity of A. baumannii from different hospitals in a single metropolitan area. It also highlights differences in the spread of resistance markers and other MGEs between the investigated STs, impacting on the monitoring and treatment of Acinetobacter in the ongoing and future outbreaks

Perfil epidemiológico dos usuários dos Centros de Testagem e Aconselhamento do Estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil, no ano de 2005 Epidemiological profile of the clientele in HIV Testing and Counseling Centers in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, 2005

Este estudo caracteriza o perfil dos usuários que procuraram os Centros de Testagem Anônima (CTAs) em Santa Catarina, Brasil, em 2005, e determina os fatores associados à contaminação pelo HIV. Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo transversal em pessoas que freqüentaram os CTAs. Foram analisados os dados de 22.846 entrevistas realizadas no momento pré-teste, 64,7% sexo feminino e 35,3% masculino. A prevalência de HIV positivo encontrada nesses exames foi de 2% no sexo feminino e 5,6% no masculino. Utilizou-se análise bivariada e multivariada com regressão de Poisson. Os fatores de risco independentes para o contágio pelo DST/HIV no sexo feminino foram: faixa etária, estado civil, escolaridade, situação profissional, recorte populacional, risco do parceiro fixo, uso de preservativo e motivo para não usar preservativo com parceiro fixo. No sexo masculino foram: faixa etária, escolaridade, tipo de parceiro, recorte populacional, risco do parceiro, uso de preservativo e motivo para não usar preservativo com parceiro fixo. A soropositividade para homens e mulheres apresenta-se diferente, merecendo abordagens preventivas diferenciadas.<br>This study analyzes the user profile of HIV Testing and Counseling Centers in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, in 2005, and factors associated with HIV infection. The methodology employed a retrospective, cross-sectional study of individuals who attended Testing and Counseling Centers. Data from 22,846 interviews were analyzed (64.7% women and 35.3% men). HIV prevalence was 2.0% in women and 5.6% in men. Statistical analysis used bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression by gender. According to the Poisson regression, factors associated with HIV+ status were age bracket, schooling, marital status, professional situation, population group, steady partner's risk status, condom use, and reason for not using condoms with steady partner; for men, the independent variables were age bracket, schooling, type of partner, population group, steady partner's risk status, condom use, and reason for not using condoms with steady partner. HIV+ patterns differed between men and women, so that customized preventive approaches are needed

O uso de inibidores de apetite por mulheres: um olhar a partir da perspectiva de gênero The use of apetite inhibitors by women: an insight based on the gender perspective

O presente estudo teve como objetivo compreender os motivos que levam mulheres adultas a utilizar medicamentos inibidores do apetite e verificar, a partir da ótica de gênero, como se estabelece a relação dessas mulheres com seus próprios corpos. Orientado pelos princípios da pesquisa qualitativa, utilizou como técnicas de construção de dados a entrevista semiestruturada e a observação direta. Participaram como informantes do estudo seis mulheres usuárias de anorexígenos. Os resultados apontaram que as imagens, a publicidade e as redes sociais contribuem significativamente para a criação de padrões de aparência física e de "estilos de vida", cujo modelo preconiza a boa aparência (corpo magro) e a felicidade conjugal. O corpo magro é representado como algo capaz de alterar condições, ou seja, pessoa gorda = pessoa infeliz; e pessoa magra = pessoa feliz. O estudo mostra que é no corpo como lócus que o papel socialmente destinado às mulheres será produzido e reproduzido.<br>The scope of this study was to understand the motives that lead adult women to use appetite inhibitors and to establish, from a gender perspective, how these women relate to their own bodies. It was structured around the principles of qualitative research, and the methods of data collection were semi-structured interviews and direct observation. The informants were six women who used appetite inhibitors. The results indicated that images, publicity and social networks contribute significantly to the creation of new standards of physical appearance as well as lifestyles, which establish appearance (a slim body) and a happy marriage as the desired model. The slim body is represented as something able to alter the temperament of the individual, in other words a fat person is an unhappy person and a slim person is a happy person. The study shows that it is in the body per se that the social role destined for women is produced and reproduced

Cryptic Female Choice in Crustaceans

Cryptic female choice may be common among crustaceans , but few studies have thoroughly examined it in this diverse taxonomic group. Herein, we summarize current genetic evidence for multiple paternity and skewed offspring ratios in crustaceans, and document observations that could suggest cryptic female choice. Behaviors indicative of cryptic female choice have been reported from numerous crustacean taxa (e.g., crayfish , hermit crabs , isopods ), showcasing a diverse array of behavioral mechanisms such as failed copulations, spermatophore removal , selective sperm passage, chemical signaling , adjusting duration of receptivity, delayed copulation , or discriminative reproductive investment in favor of preferred males. We highlight a few case studies, in which a suite of different cryptic behaviors permits females to maintain control over fertilizations. The possibility of selective sperm–egg interactions is briefly discussed, and parallels to other aquatic invertebrates are drawn revealing similar cryptic choice mechanisms. The disparity of body forms and reproductive strategies found in crustaceans and the fact that they inhabit many different habitats with variable selective environments makes them an ideal model taxon for future studies on cryptic female choice