The CBRB regulon: Promoter dissection reveals novel insights into the CbrAB expression network in Pseudomonas putida

CbrAB is a high ranked global regulatory system exclusive of the Pseudomonads that responds to carbon limiting conditions. It has become necessary to define the particular regulon of CbrB and discriminate it from the downstream cascades through other regulatory components. We have performed in vivo binding analysis of CbrB in P. putida and determined that it directly controls the expression of at least 61 genes; 20% involved in regulatory functions, including the previously identified CrcZ and CrcY small regulatory RNAs. The remaining are porines or transporters (20%), metabolic enzymes (16%), activities related to protein translation (5%) and orfs of uncharacterised function (38%). Amongst the later, we have selected the operon PP2810-13 to make an exhaustive analysis of the CbrB binding sequences, together with those of crcZ and crcY. We describe the implication of three independent non-palindromic subsites with a variable spacing in three different targets; CrcZ, CrcY and operon PP2810-13 in the CbrAB activation. CbrB is a quite peculiar σN—depen-dent activator since it is barely dependent on phosphorylation for transcriptional activation. With the depiction of the precise contacts of CbrB with the DNA, the analysis of the multi-merisation status and its dependence on other factors such as RpoN o IHF, we propose a model of transcriptional activation.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad BIO2014-57545-

Redox proteins of hydroxylating bacterial dioxygenases establish a regulatory cascade that prevents gratuitous induction of tetralin biodegradation genes

Bacterial dioxygenase systems are multicomponent enzymes that catalyze the initial degradation of many environmentally hazardous compounds. In Sphingopyxis granuli strain TFA tetralin dioxygenase hydroxylates tetralin, an organic contaminant. It consists of a ferredoxin reductase (ThnA4), a ferredoxin (ThnA3) and a oxygenase (ThnA1/ThnA2), forming a NAD(P)H-ThnA4-ThnA3-ThnA1/ThnA2 electron transport chain. ThnA3 has also a regulatory function since it prevents expression of tetralin degradation genes (thn) in the presence of non-metabolizable substrates of the catabolic pathway. This role is of physiological relevance since avoids gratuitous and wasteful production of catabolic enzymes. Our hypothesis for thn regulation implies that ThnA3 exerts its action by diverting electrons towards the regulator ThnY, an iron-sulfur flavoprotein that together with the transcriptional activator ThnR is necessary for thn gene expression. Here we analyze electron transfer among ThnA4, ThnA3 and ThnY by using stopped-flow spectrophotometry and determination of midpoint reduction potentials. Our results indicate that when accumulated in its reduced form ThnA3 is able to fully reduce ThnY. In addition, we have reproduced in vitro the regulatory circuit in the proposed physiological direction, NAD(P)H-ThnA4-ThnA3-ThnY. ThnA3 represents an unprecedented way of communication between a catabolic pathway and its regulatory system to prevent gratuitous induction

Isolation of ntrA-like mutants of Azobacter vinelandii

A number of of chlorate-resistant mutants of Azotobacter vinelandii affected in a general control of nitrogen metabolism were isolated. These mutants could not utilize dinitrogen, nitrate, or nitrite as a nitrogen source. The reason for this inability is that they were simultaneously deficient in nitrogenase and nitrate and nitrite reductase activities. They were complemented by a cosmid carrying a DNA fragment of A. vinelandii able to complement ntrA mutants of Escherichia coli, so they seemed to be ntrA-like mutants.Comisión Asesora Científica y Técnica 302

Dinámica de septinas y regulación de la separación celular durante el crecimiento hifal de Candida albicans ¿una diana de antifúngicos?

Resumen del trabajo presentado al "IV Congreso GEBMP: Simposio Hongos Patógenos" celebrado en Badajoz el 6 de julio del 2012.Peer Reviewe

A membrane-associated form of the transcription factor Ace2 controls septin ring dynamics during Candida albicans hyphal growth

Resumen del trabajo presentado a la Vth International Conference on Molecular Mechanisms of Fungal Cell Wall Biogenesis celebrada en Primosten (Croacia) del 6 al 9 de Junio de 2012.Peer Reviewe

Health related values and preferences regarding meat intake : a cross-sectional mixed-methods study

Background. In addition to social and environmental determinants, people's values and preferences determine daily food choices. This study evaluated adults' values and preferences regarding unprocessed red meat (URM) and processed meat (PM) and their willingness to change their consumption in the face of possible undesirable health consequences. Methods. A crosssectional mixed-methods study including a quantitative assessment through an online survey, a qualitative inquiry through semi-structured interviews, and a follow-up assessment through a telephone survey. We performed descriptive statistics, logistic regressions, and thematic analysis. Results. Of 304 participants, over 75% were unwilling to stop their consumption of either URM or PM, and of those unwilling to stop, over 80% were also unwilling to reduce. Men were less likely to stop meat intake than women (odds ratios < 0.4). From the semi-structured interviews, we identified three main themes: the social and/or family context of meat consumption, healthand non-health-related concerns about meat, and uncertainty of the evidence. At three months, 63% of participants reported no changes in meat intake. Conclusions. When informed about the cancer incidence and mortality risks of meat consumption, most respondents would not reduce their intake. Public health and clinical nutrition guidelines should ensure that their recommendations are consistent with population values and preferences

ANÁLISIS ESPACIAL DEL SOBREPESO Y LA OBESIDAD INFANTIL EN EL PERÚ, 2014/Spatial analysis of childhood obesity and overweight in Peru, 2014

Objectives.: To estimate regional prevalence and identify the spatial patterns of the degree of overweight and obesity by districts in under five years children in Peru during 2014. Materials and methods.: Analysis of the information reported by the Information System Nutritional Status (SIEN) of the number of cases of overweight and obesity in children under five years recorded during 2014. Regional prevalence for overweight and obesity, and their respective confidence intervals to 95% were calculated. Moran index was used to determine patterns of grouping districts with high prevalence of overweight and/or obesity. Results.: Data from 1834 districts and 2,318,980 children under five years were analyzed. 158,738 cases (6.84%; CI 95%: 6.81 to 6.87) were overweight, while 56,125 (2.42%; CI 95%: 2.40 to 2.44) obesity. The highest prevalence of overweight were identified in the regions of Tacna (13.9%), Moquegua (11.8%), Callao (10.4%), Lima (10.2%) and Ica (9.3%), and in the same regions for obesity with 5.3%; 4.3%; 4.0%; 4.0% and 3.8% respectively. The spatial analysis found grouping districts of high prevalence in 10% of all districts for both overweight and obesity, identifying 199 districts for overweight (126 urban and 73 rural), and 184 for obesity (136 urban and 48 rural). Conclusions.: The highest prevalence of overweight and obesity were identified in the Peruvian coast regions. Moreover, these regions are predominantly exhibited a spatial clustering of districts with high prevalence of overweight and obesity

Risk factors associated with drug use before imprisonment in Peru

Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia del consumo de drogas previo al ingreso penitenciario e identificar los factores de riesgo sociodemográficos y familiares asociados, según el sexo, en penitenciarías del Perú. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un análisis secundario de los datos del Primer Censo Nacional Penitenciario 2016, que empleó un cuestionario de 173 preguntas que fue aplicado a toda la población carcelaria del Perú. Se describieron los tipos de drogas consumidas antes del ingreso según las características de la población penitenciaria, y se utilizaron modelos lineales generalizados para calcular razones de prevalencia con intervalos de confianza al 95% para identificar los posibles factores asociados al consumo de drogas. Resultados: De 76.180 presidiarios, 71.184 (93,4%) respondieron la encuesta (hombres 67.071; 94,2%). La prevalencia global de consumo de drogas previo a la reclusión fue del 24,4% (25,3% en hombres y 9,1% en mujeres), mayor en el grupo de 18 a 29 años (36,3% en hombres y 14,9% en mujeres). Las drogas de mayor consumo fueron la marihuana (58,2%), la pasta básica/cocaína o crack (40,3%), y los inhalantes (1%). Los factores más fuertemente asociados al consumo fueron haber tenido en la niñez un miembro del núcleo familiar que consumiera drogas (59,8%), historia de reclusión anterior (59,1%), desempleo (48,4%), relaciones en el colegio con compañeros que tuvieron problemas con la ley (46,9%), antecedentes de un familiar con ingreso a una penitenciaría (38,4%) e historia de fuga o huida de casa (35,9%). Conclusiones: En Perú, el consumo de drogas es más alto en población penitenciaria que en población general, y existen diferencias según sexo en la prevalencia de consumo de drogas y sus factores asociados antes del ingreso a un centro penitenciario. Se encontró que eventos sucedidos en la niñez, como maltrato, o tener un miembro de la familia encarcelado o consumidor de drogas, o haber consumido alcohol previamente, son factores asociados al consumo de drogas en la población penitenciaria. Algunos de estos factores de riesgo son modificables, por lo cual es importante que se tomen en cuenta en el diseño de políticas sociales y sanitarias enfocadas en subpoblaciones específicas para prevenir el consumo de drogas y la comisión de delitos.Q3Artículo original11-20Objective: To assess the prevalence of drug abuse before prison admission and to identify associated sociodemographic and family history risk factors, according to gender, in prisons of Peru. Materials and methods: A secondary analysis was carried out with data from the First National Prisoner Census 2016, using a questionnaire of 173 items that was applied to the whole prison population of Peru. The types of drugs used before admission were analyzed according to characteristics of the penitentiary population, and generalized linear models were used to calculate prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals to identify possible factors associated with drug use. Results: Out of a population of 76,180 prisoners, 71,184 (93.4%) answered the survey (men 67,071, 94.2%). The overall prevalence of drug consumption before admission was 24.4% (25.3 % in men and 9.1% in women), the highest prevalence in the 18-29 age group (36.3% in men and 14.9% in women). The most commonly used drugs were marijuana (58.2%), coca paste/cocaine or crack (40.3%) and inhalants (1%). The factors most strongly associated with consumption were having a family member who consumed drugs (59.8%), history of previous imprisonment (59.1%), unemployment (48.4%), relationships at school with classmates who had problems with the law (46.9%), background of a family member who attended a penitentiary (38.4%), and history of running away from home before age 15 (35.9%). Conclusions: In Peru, drug use is higher in the prison population than in the general population, and there are differences according to sex in the prevalence of drug use and associated factors prior to admission to a prison. The study demonstrated that childhood events, such as child abuse, having a family member imprisoned, having a family member who used drugs, or who previously abused alcohol, are factors associated with drug use in the penitentiary population. Some of these risk factors are modifiable, so it is important to consider these in the design of social and health policies focused on specific subpopulations to prevent drug use and crime

Risk of COVID-19 death for people with a pre-existing cancer diagnosis prior to COVID-19-vaccination : A systematic review and meta-analysis

Research Funding National Health and Medical Research Council. Grant Number: APP1194679 World Health Organization Article Funding Open access publishing facilitated by The University of Sydney, as part of the Wiley - The University of Sydney agreement via the Council of Australian University Librarians.Peer reviewedPublisher PD