Comparative analyses of the complete genome sequences of Pierce's disease and citrus variegated chlorosis strains of Xylella fastidiosa

Xylella fastidiosa is a xylem-dwelling, insect-transmitted, gamma-proteobacterium that causes diseases in many plants, including grapevine, citrus, periwinkle, almond, oleander, and coffee. X. fastidiosa has an unusually broad host range, has an extensive geographical distribution throughout the American continent, and induces diverse disease phenotypes. Previous molecular analyses indicated three distinct groups of X.fastidiosa isolates that were expected to be genetically divergent. Here we report the genome sequence of X. fastidiosa (Temecula strain), isolated from a naturally infected grapevine with Pierce's disease (PD) in a wine-grape-growing region of California. Comparative analyses with a previously sequenced X.fastidiosa strain responsible for citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) revealed that 98% of the PD X.fastidiosa Temecula genes are shared with the CVC X. fastidiosa strain 9a5c genes. Furthermore, the average amino acid identity of the open reading frames in the strains is 95.7%. Genomic differences are limited to phage-associated chromosomal rearrangements and deletions that also account for the strain-specific genes present in each genome. Genomic islands, one in each genome, were identified, and their presence in other X.fastidiosa strains was analyzed. We conclude that these two organisms have identical metabolic functions and are likely to use a common set of genes in plant colonization and pathogenesis, permitting convergence of functional genomic strategies.18531018102

Traditional, complementary and alternative medicine and cancer care: an international analysis of grassroots integration

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Wing morphology predicts individual niche specialization in Pteronotus mesoamericanus (Mammalia: Chiroptera)

Morphological variation between individuals can increase niche segregation and decrease intraspecific competition when heterogeneous individuals explore their environment in different ways. Among bat species, wing shape correlates with flight maneuverability and habitat use, with species that possess broader wings typically foraging in more cluttered habitats. However, few studies have investigated the role of morphological variation in bats for niche partitioning at the individual level. To determine the relationship between wing shape and diet, we studied a population of the insectivorous bat species Pteronotus mesoamericanus in the dry forest of Costa Rica. Individual diet was resolved using DNA metabarcoding, and bat wing shape was assessed using geometric morphometric analysis. Inter-individual variation in wing shape showed a significant relationship with both dietary dissimilarity based on Bray-Curtis estimates, and nestedness derived from an ecological network. Individual bats with broader and more rounded wings were found to feed on a greater diversity of arthropods (less nested) in comparison to individuals with triangular and pointed wings (more nested). We conclude that individual variation in bat wing morphology can impact foraging efficiency leading to the observed overall patterns of diet specialization and differentiation within the population

Série de casos agudos de doença de Chagas atendidos num serviço terciário de Manaus, Estado do Amazonas, de 1980 a 2006 Series of acute Chagas' disease cases attended at a tertiary-level clinic in Manaus, State of Amazonas, from 1980 to 2006

INTRODUÇÃO: A doença de Chagas é um problema emergente e negligenciado na Região Amazônica. MÉTODOS: Descreve-se uma série de casos agudos autóctones de doença de Chagas atendidos na Fundação de Medicina Tropical do Amazonas, Manaus, de 1980 a 2006. RESULTADOS: Registraram-se 29 casos, sendo 19 do sexo masculino e 10 casos do sexo feminino. Quinze eram casos isolados e 14 provenientes de surtos. Os sinais/sintomas mais freqüentes foram febre, fadiga, cefaléia, mialgia, calafrios, palidez, dispnéia e edema de face e de membros inferiores. Não foi registrado nenhum óbito. CONCLUSÕES: A doença incidiu com frequência em jovens. Os métodos parasitológicos mostraram elevada sensibilidade.<br>INTRODUCTION: Chagas disease is an emerging and neglected problem in the Brazilian Amazon region. METHODS: This study describes a series of acute autochthonous cases of Chagas disease that were attended at the Tropical Medicine Foundation of Amazonas, Manaus, between 1980 and 2006. RESULTS: Twenty-nine cases were recorded: 19 (65.5%) were male and 10 (34.5%) cases were female. Fifteen (51.7%) were isolated cases and 14 (48.3%) were from outbreaks. The commonest signs and symptoms were fever, fatigue, headache, myalgia, chills, pallor, dyspnea and edema of the face and lower limbs. No deaths were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: The disease occurred frequently among young people. The parasitological methods showed high sensitivity

Factors that hinder of integrality in dialysis care Factores que dificultan la integralidad del cuidado en hemodiálisis Fatores que dificultam a integralidade no cuidado em hemodiálise

This study analyzes the factors, which from the perspective of the health team and users, hinder the implementation of integrality in care provided by a dialysis facility. This qualitative study collected data through semi-structured interviews held with 16 health professionals and eight users from a university hospital in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Data were analyzed through thematic content analysis. Among the factors that hinder the implementation of integrality in hemodialysis care, the following were highlighted: a deficient service network, delay in accessing diagnostic exams and consultations with specialists, and a reduced number of professionals in the support team. The conclusion is that the health services network needs to be expanded and an effective interface between such networks and dialysis services needs to be established in order to overcome the reported difficulties and contribute to the implementation of integrality in dialysis care.<br>Este artículo tuvo como objetivo analizar, bajo la óptica del equipo de salud y de los usuarios, los factores que pueden dificultar la práctica de la integralidad del cuidado en una unidad de hemodiálisis. Se trata de investigación cualitativa, cuyos datos fueron recolectados, por medio de entrevista semiestructurada, con dieciséis profesionales de salud y ocho usuarios de un hospital de enseñanza de Rio Grande del Sur, habiendo sido, posteriormente, hecho el análisis de contenido temático. Ese análisis sugiere que, entre los factores que dificultan la práctica de la integralidad en el cuidado en hemodiálisis, se destacaron deficiencias en la red de servicios, demora en el acceso a exámenes de diagnóstico y a consultas con médicos especialistas, y reducido número de profesionales en los equipos de apoyo. Se concluye, entonces, que la ampliación en la red de servicios de salud y el establecimiento de una conexión efectiva entre los servicios de hemodiálisis y esa red podrán representar la superación de las dificultades apuntadas, y, así, contribuir para la integralidad del cuidado en hemodiálisis.<br>Este artigo teve como objetivo analisar, sob a ótica da equipe de saúde e dos usuários, os fatores que podem dificultar a prática da integralidade do cuidado em uma unidade de hemodiálise. Trata-se de pesquisa qualitativa, cujos dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista semiestruturada, com dezesseis profissionais de saúde e oito usuários de um hospital de ensino do Rio Grande do Sul, tendo sido, posteriormente, feita a análise de conteúdo temática. Essa análise sugeriu que, dentre os fatores que dificultam a prática da integralidade no cuidado em hemodiálise, se destacaram deficiências na rede de serviços, demora no acesso a exames diagnósticos e a consultas com médicos especialistas e reduzido número de profissionais nas equipes de apoio. Concluiu-se, então, que a ampliação na rede de serviços de saúde e o estabelecimento de interface efetiva entre os serviços de hemodiálise e essa rede poderão representar a superação das dificuldades apontadas, e, assim, contribuir para a integralidade no cuidado em hemodiálise