Recent Advances in Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Research in Latin America

Pathogenic Escherichia coli are known to be a common cause of diarrheal disease and a frequently occurring bacterial infection in children and adults in Latin America. Despite the effort to combat diarrheal infections, the south of the American continent remains a hot spot for infections and sequelae associated with the acquisition of one category of pathogenic E. coli, the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). This review will focus on an overview of the prevalence of different STEC serotypes in human, animals and food products, focusing on recent reports from Latin America outlining the recent research progress achieved in this region to combat disease and endemicity in affected countries and to improve understanding on emerging serotypes and their virulence factors. Furthermore, this review will highlight the progress done in vaccine development and treatment and will also discuss the effort of the Latin American investigators to respond to the thread of STEC infections by establishing a multidisciplinary network of experts that are addressing STEC-associated animal, human and environmental health issues, while trying to reduce human disease. Regardless of the significant scientific contributions to understand and combat STEC infections worldwide, many significant challenges still exist and this review has focus in the Latin American efforts as an example of what can be accomplished when multiple groups have a common goal.Fil: Torres, Alfredo. University Of Texas Medical Branch; Estados UnidosFil: Amaral, María Marta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico CONICET- La Plata. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando Noel Dulout". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria; ArgentinaFil: Bentancor, Leticia Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico CONICET- La Plata. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando Noel Dulout". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria; ArgentinaFil: Galli, Lucía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico CONICET- La Plata. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando Noel Dulout". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria; ArgentinaFil: Goldstein Raij, Jorge. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico CONICET- La Plata. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando Noel Dulout". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria; ArgentinaFil: Krüger, Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Rojas Lopez, Maricarmen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico CONICET- La Plata. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria "Ing. Fernando Noel Dulout". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Genética Veterinaria; Argentin

Recent Advances in Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Research in Latin America

Pathogenic Escherichia coli are known to be a common cause of diarrheal disease and a frequently occurring bacterial infection in children and adults in Latin America. Despite the effort to combat diarrheal infections, the south of the American continent remains a hot spot for infections and sequelae associated with the acquisition of one category of pathogenic E. coli, the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). This review will focus on an overview of the prevalence of different STEC serotypes in human, animals and food products, focusing on recent reports from Latin America outlining the recent research progress achieved in this region to combat disease and endemicity in affected countries and to improve understanding on emerging serotypes and their virulence factors. Furthermore, this review will highlight the progress done in vaccine development and treatment and will also discuss the effort of the Latin American investigators to respond to the thread of STEC infections by establishing a multidisciplinary network of experts that are addressing STEC-associated animal, human and environmental health issues, while trying to reduce human disease. Regardless of the significant scientific contributions to understand and combat STEC infections worldwide, many significant challenges still exist and this review has focus in the Latin American efforts as an example of what can be accomplished when multiple groups have a common goal.Instituto de Genética Veterinari

Recent Advances in Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Research in Latin America

Pathogenic Escherichia coli are known to be a common cause of diarrheal disease and a frequently occurring bacterial infection in children and adults in Latin America. Despite the effort to combat diarrheal infections, the south of the American continent remains a hot spot for infections and sequelae associated with the acquisition of one category of pathogenic E. coli, the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). This review will focus on an overview of the prevalence of different STEC serotypes in human, animals and food products, focusing on recent reports from Latin America outlining the recent research progress achieved in this region to combat disease and endemicity in affected countries and to improve understanding on emerging serotypes and their virulence factors. Furthermore, this review will highlight the progress done in vaccine development and treatment and will also discuss the effort of the Latin American investigators to respond to the thread of STEC infections by establishing a multidisciplinary network of experts that are addressing STEC-associated animal, human and environmental health issues, while trying to reduce human disease. Regardless of the significant scientific contributions to understand and combat STEC infections worldwide, many significant challenges still exist and this review has focus in the Latin American efforts as an example of what can be accomplished when multiple groups have a common goal.Instituto de Genética Veterinari

Factores protectores resilientes en personas en situación de desplazamiento forzado del barrio Luis R. Calvo de la ciudad de Santa Marta, en edades entre 20 y 40 años

El objetivo general de esta investigación fue analizar la dinámica resiliente en sujetos en situación de desplazamiento, donde las dimensiones psicológicas, biológicas y sociales entretejen significados que en conjunto con factores protectores potencializan la construcción resiliente, actuando en forma terapéutica disminuyendo los efectos nocivos de la tragedia. Se establecieron variables de acuerdo al instrumento de selección apuntando a la identificación de los factores protectores, pero analizados bajo una perspectiva integrativa de actores y situaciones que fluctúan en un conglomerado subjetivo expresándose en un contexto cultural plenamente identificado. Se escogió un rango de edad entre 20 y 40 años, teniendo en cuenta que en este lapso las personas comienzan la búsqueda de realización de su proyecto de vida y el avance de éste y porque según la literatura el florecer de una conducta resiliente se da en la adultez joven. Tal conducta se expresa en los sujetos en el accionar diario de búsquedas de ayuda impulsada desde sus capacidades de afrontamiento para la solución a sus problemas y a la vinculación en pro al favorecimiento de una cultura pujante en el contexto receptor, con altos niveles de comunicación y empatía

REX-001, a BM-MNC Enriched Solution, Induces Revascularization of Ischemic Tissues in a Murine Model of Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia

Background: Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells (BM-MNC) constitute a promising alternative for the treatment of Chronic Limb-Threatening ischemia (CLTI), a disease characterized by extensive blockade of peripheral arteries, clinically presenting as excruciating pain at rest and ischemic ulcers which may lead to gangrene and amputation. BM-MNC implantation has shown to be efficient in promoting angiogenesis and ameliorating ischemic symptoms in CLTI patients. However, the variability seen between clinical trials makes necessary a further understanding of the mechanisms of action of BM-MNC, and moreover, to improve trial characteristics such as endpoints, inclusion/exclusion criteria or drug product compositions, in order to implement their use as stem-cell therapy. Materials: Herein, the effect of REX-001, a human-BM derived cell suspension enriched for mononuclear cells, granulocytes and CD34+ cells, has been assessed in a murine model of CLTI. In addition, a REX-001 placebo solution containing BM-derived red blood cells (BM-RBCs) was also tested. Thus, 24 h after double ligation of the femoral artery, REX-001 and placebo were administrated intramuscularly to Balb-c nude mice (n:51) and follow-up of ischemic symptoms (blood flow perfusion, motility, ulceration and necrosis) was carried out for 21 days. The number of vessels and vascular diameter sizes were measured within the ischemic tissues to evaluate neovascularization and arteriogenesis. Finally, several cell-tracking assays were performed to evaluate potential biodistribution of these cells. Results: REX-001 induced a significant recovery of blood flow by increasing vascular density within the ischemic limbs, with no cell translocation to other organs. Moreover, cell tracking assays confirmed a decrease in the number of infused cells after 2 weeks post-injection despite on-going revascularization, suggesting a paracrine mechanism of action. Conclusion: Overall, our data supported the role of REX-001 product to improve revascularization and ischemic reperfusion in CLTI

Atherosclerotic Pre-Conditioning Affects the Paracrine Role of Circulating Angiogenic Cells Ex-Vivo

In atherosclerosis, circulating angiogenic cells (CAC), also known as early endothelial progenitor cells (eEPC), are thought to participate mainly in a paracrine fashion by promoting the recruitment of other cell populations such as late EPC, or endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFC), to the injured areas. There, ECFC replace the damaged endothelium, promoting neovascularization. However, despite their regenerative role, the number and function of EPC are severely affected under pathological conditions, being essential to further understand how these cells react to such environments in order to implement their use in regenerative cell therapies. Herein, we evaluated the effect of direct incubation ex vivo of healthy CAC with the secretome of atherosclerotic arteries. By using a quantitative proteomics approach, 194 altered proteins were identified in the secretome of pre-conditioned CAC, many of them related to inhibition of angiogenesis (e.g., endostatin, thrombospondin-1, fibulins) and cell migration. Functional assays corroborated that healthy CAC released factors enhanced ECFC angiogenesis, but, after atherosclerotic pre-conditioning, the secretome of pre-stimulated CAC negatively affected ECFC migration, as well as their ability to form tubules on a basement membrane matrix assay. Overall, we have shown here, for the first time, the effect of atherosclerotic factors over the paracrine role of CAC ex vivo. The increased release of angiogenic inhibitors by CAC in response to atherosclerotic factors induced an angiogenic switch, by blocking ECFC ability to form tubules in response to pre-conditioned CAC. Thus, we confirmed here that the angiogenic role of CAC is highly affected by the atherosclerotic environment

Cardiovascular-related proteomic changes in ECFCs exposed to the serum of COVID-19 patients

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection significantly affects the cardiovascular system, causing vascular damage and thromboembolic events in critical patients. Endothelial dysfunction represents one of the first steps in response to COVID-19 that might lead to cardiovascular complications and long-term sequelae. However, despite the enormous efforts in the last two years, the molecular mechanisms involved in such processes remain poorly understood. Herein, we analyzed the protein changes taking place in endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) after the incubation with the serum from individuals infected with COVID-19, whether asymptomatic or critical patients, by application of a label free-quantitative proteomics approach. Specifically, ECFCs from healthy individuals were incubated ex-vivo with the serum of either COVID-19 negative donors (PCR-/IgG-, n:8), COVID-19 asymptomatic donors at different infective stages (PCR+/ IgG-, n:8and PCR-/IgG+, n:8), or hospitalized critical COVID-19 patients (n:8), followed by proteomics analysis. In total, 590 proteins were differentially expressed in ECFCs in response to all infected serums. Predictive analysis highlighted several proteins like CAPN5, SURF4, LAMP2 or MT-ND1, as highly discriminating features between the groups compared. Protein changes correlated with viral infection, RNA metabolism or autophagy, among others. Remarkably, the angiogenic potential of ECFCs in response to the infected serums was impaired, and many of the protein alterations in response to the serum of critical patients were associated with cardiovascular-related pathologies.This study was supported by GLOBALCAJA-Ayuda COVID-19; and Fondo Supera COVID-19, funded by Banco Santander and CRUE universidades, Ref. IPSA-COVID-19, and the Institute of Health Carlos III, ISCIII (PI18-00427, PI20-00716), co-funded by European Regional Development “A way to make Europe”

Nuevo explante para la embriogénesis somática en Sorghum bicolor (L.) Mohen

This work was carried out with the objective to form somatic embryos of sorghum, cv. ‘CIAP 132R-05’ starting from callus obtained from sections of in vitro shoots. For the formation of callus, different concentrations of 2,4-D were studied as well as three concentrations of ascorbic acid to eliminate the phenolic oxidation. To increase the percentage of callus formation with embryogenic structures, different segments of the shoots were used. For the formation of somatic embryos, different concentrations of 2,4-D; 6-BAP and L-Proline were added to the culture media. The greatest callus formation (50%) was obtained in the culture medium with 18.1 µM of 2,4-D. When 50 mg l -1  of ascorbic acid was added to the culture medium, the percentage of callus formation increased to 67.5%, and was couple with absence of oxidation of the medium and the explant. The frequency of callus formation with embryogenic structures increased to 95% with the use of segment 1 of the shoot sections in vitro as explant. The greatest number of somatic embryos per callus was obtained when 2,4-D was reduced to 4.52 µM, combined with 22.2 µM of 6-BAP and 500 mg l -1  of L-Proline (41.88). Histological analysis confirmed that structures formed in callus came from a somatic embryogenesis process. For the first time, the efficient formation of somatic embryos of sorghum section 1 of in vitro shoots in vitro was obtained.Keywords: 2,4-D, shoots in vitro, callus, somatic embryosEl trabajo fue realizado con el objetivo de formar embriones somáticos de sorgo, variedad ‘CIAP 132R-05’ a partir de callos obtenidos de secciones de brotes in vitro. En la formación de callos fueron estudiadas diferentes concentraciones de 2,4 D y tres concentraciones de ácido ascórbico para eliminar la oxidación fenólica. Para incrementar el porcentaje de formación de callos con estructuras embriogénicas fueron empleados diferentes segmentos de brote. Se añadieron diferentes concentraciones de 2,4-D, 6-BAP y L- prolina al medio de cultivo para la formación de embriones somáticos. La mayor formación de callos (50%) se obtuvo en el medio de cultivo con 18.1 µM de 2,4-D. Cuando se añadieron 50 mg l -1  de ácido ascórbico al medio de cultivo, el porcentaje de formación de callos se incrementó en 67.5%, unido a la ausencia de pigmentos fenólicos en el explante. La frecuencia de formación de callos con estructuras embriogénicas aumento hasta 95% con el uso del segmento 1 como explante. El mayor número de embriones somáticos por callos se obtuvo cuando 2,4-D fue reducido a 4.52 µM, combinado con 2.22 µM de 6-BAP y 500 mg l -1  de L-prolina (41.88). El análisis histológico confirmó que las estructuras formadas a partir de los callos provienen del proceso de embriogénesis somática. Por vez primera se obtuvo la formación eficiente de embriones somáticos de sorgo de a partir de la seccion 1 de brotes in vitro.Palabras clave: 2,4-D, brotes in vitro, callos, embriones somático

The Sant Pau Initiative on Neurodegeneration (SPIN) cohort : A data set for biomarker discovery and validation in neurodegenerative disorders

Altres ajuts: The SPIN cohort has received funding from CIBERNED; Instituto de Salud Carlos III; jointly funded by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), Unión Europea, "Una manera de hacer Europa"; Generalitat de Catalunya; Fundació "La Marató TV3" Fundació Bancària Obra Social La Caixa; Fundación BBVA; Fundación Española para el Fomento de la Investigación de la Esclerosis Lateral Amiotrófica (FUNDELA); Global Brain Health Institute; Fundació Catalana Síndrome de Down; and Fundació Víctor Grífols i Lucas. These funding sources had no role in study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the article for publication.The SPIN (Sant Pau Initiative on Neurodegeneration) cohort is a multimodal biomarker platform designed for neurodegenerative disease research following an integrative approach. Participants of the SPIN cohort provide informed consent to donate blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples, receive detailed neurological and neuropsychological evaluations, and undergo a structural 3T brain MRI scan. A subset also undergoes other functional or imaging studies (video-polysomnogram, 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET, amyloid PET, Tau PET). Participants are followed annually for a minimum of 4 years, with repeated cerebrospinal fluid collection and imaging studies performed every other year, and brain donation is encouraged. The integration of clinical, neuropsychological, genetic, biochemical, imaging, and neuropathological information and the harmonization of protocols under the same umbrella allows the discovery and validation of key biomarkers across several neurodegenerative diseases. We describe our particular 10-year experience and how different research projects were unified under an umbrella biomarker program, which might be of help to other research teams pursuing similar approaches

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London