Relación genética y perfil de actividad antimicrobiana entre aislamientos de Thielavia sp. A partir de un ejemplar de Peperomia sandersii

Los productos naturales representan la fuente más compleja y diversa de moléculas bioactivas, capaces de ser utilizadas con o sin modificaciones estructurales posteriores, en el tratamiento de enfermedades. Las probabilidades de éxito en la búsqueda de metabolitos bioactivos aumentan si se estudian organismos genética y evolutivamente diversos. Los microorganismos endofíticos, aquellos que residen dentro de los tejidos vegetales sin producir enfermedad detectable, representan un nicho ecológico interesante para ser explorado con ese fin. Previamente el análisis de partes aéreas de un ejemplar sano de Peperomia sandersii C. DC. (Piperaceae) permitió el aislamiento de 26 hongos endofiticos, de los cuales 19 (73 %) fueron identificados como Thielavia sp. mediante la amplificación, secuenciación y comparación con bases de datos de los dominios variables D1 y D2 del ADNr 28S. Los extractos de los hongos endofíticos, crecidos en Agar Papa Dextrosa durante 21 días, fueron evaluados por bioautografía frente a Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 y Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 a 25, 50 y 100 g. Mientras que menos del 10 % de los extractos evaluados resultaron activos frente a E. coli, el 81% (21) de los mismos mostró actividad frente a S. aureus al menos a 100 g, proviniendo el 86 % (18) de extractos de Thielavia sp. Para determinar la variabilidadrelación genética entre los 19 aislamientos de Thielavia sp. se realizó el análisis utilizaronde los marcadores moleculares del tipo ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats), un tipo de marcador genético que permite obtener los niveles de variación en las regiones microsatélite que se encuentran dispersas en el genoma, particularmente el nuclear. Para ello, para cada aislamiento se realizaron amplificaciones por PCR utilizando 5 cebadores ISSR (IA5, KA5, H, D, GA5). Los perfiles genéticos fueron visualizados en gel de agarosa al 1.5% y analizados segúnevaluó la presencia o ausencia de fragmentos (gel agarosa 1,5 %) amplificados mediante PCR utilizando 5 cebadores ISSR (IA5, KA5, H, D, GA5) y ADN genómico. Se asignó 1 y 0 a la presencia o ausencia de fragmentos respectivamente y los datos fueron analizados con el programa NTSYS-pc Software 2.1. Se construyó una matriz de similitud utilizando el coeficiente de Dice, y se realizó un análisis de clusters y se construyòcción de un dendrograma basado en el método de medias no ponderadas UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method of Averages). Se seleccionaron aquellos cebadores que mostraron patroónes de bandas consistentes, polimórficos y reproducibles. Para los cebadores KA5, GA5 y H se amplificaron en promedio 8 bandas por cebador, con un tamaño de entre 400 y 2200 pb, siendo el 95 % de ellas polimórficas. El análisis de los datos obtenidos permitió definir 15 haplotipos entre los 19 aislamientos, evidenciando la alta variabilidad genética de la población analizada teniendo en cuenta que provienen de un solo ejemplar vegetal. Los aislamientos se agruparon en 6 clusters, con promedio de similitud del 60 % como línea de corte. Mientras que 5 de los 6 clusters incluyeron a los 18 aislamientos que mostraron actividad frente a S. aureus, el cluster conformado por el aislamiento P16, el único inactivo, fue el que presentó menor grado de similitud (25%) con respecto al resto. El análisis de los marcadores ISSR resulta útil como metodología para seleccionar cepas de interés para futuros screenings de bioactividad y la detección de metabolitos activos novedosos.Fil: Barolo, M.. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas.; ArgentinaFil: Castelli, Maria Victoria. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Consolo, Verónica Fabiana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: López, Silvia Noelí. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; ArgentinaXXI Congreso y la XXXIX Reunión Anual de la Sociedad de Biología de RosarioRosarioArgentinaSociedad de Biología de Rosari

Knowledge of human papillomavirus infection and its prevention among adolescents and parents in the greater Milan area, Northern Italy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In order to be widely accepted by users, the implementation of a new health intervention requires them to be adequately informed about its clinical importance, benefits and risks. The aim of this study was to provide data on the knowledge of Italian adolescents and parents concerning human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and its prevention in order to allow the development of adequate training programmes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Between 2 May and 15 June 2008, we made a cross-sectional survey of 863 high school students and 2,331 parents of middle and high school students using two anonymously completed questionnaires covering the knowledge of HPV infection and related diseases, and attitudes to vaccinations. The approached schools were a convenience sample of the schools of the greater Milan area, Northern Italy.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>More mothers than fathers were aware that HPV infection could concern their children (58% <it>vs </it>53%; p = 0.004) and were favourable towards vaccinating their children against HPV (68% <it>vs </it>65%; p = 0.03); among the students, more females than males were aware that HPV infection could concern themselves (45% <it>vs </it>26%; p < 0.001) and would undergo vaccination against HPV (68% <it>vs </it>40%; p < 0.001). The parents' propensity to vaccinate their children against HPV was significantly associated with professing the Catholic religion (odds ratio - OR = 0.61, 95% confidence interval - CI 0.46-0.82, being atheist), the gender of the offspring (OR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.53-2.30, having at least one daughter), a propensity to vaccinations in general (OR = 23.1, 95% CI 13.7-38.8), a knowledge that HPV vaccine is aimed at preventing cervical cancer (OR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.69-3.16), and an awareness that HPV could affect their own children (OR = 3.52, 95% CI 2.89-4.29). The students who were aware that HPV infection could affect themselves were more in favour of to HPV vaccination, regardless of whether they were male (OR = 5.73, 95% CI 2.85-11.5) or female (OR = 2.39, 95% CI 1.66-3.46).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Both students and parents seem to underestimate the likelihood of HPV infection, and this is associated with a lower propensity for vaccination. This is an important indication for future training programmes concerning HPV prevention designed to increase the acceptance of HPV vaccine in families.</p

Histologic and Biomechanical Evaluation of the Effects of Implant Insertion Torque on Peri-Implant Bone Healing

The aim of this study was to evaluate histologically and biomechanically the peri-implant bone healing around implants placed with high torque after a follow-up of 8 and 12 weeks. A total of 12 implants were placed in the lower edge of the mandible of 2 sheep. In each sheep, 3 implants were placed with a low torque (<25 N center dot cm, LT group) as a control, and 3 implants were placed with a high insertion torque (maximum torque, HT group). The sheep were killed after 8 and 12 weeks of healing, and the implants were examined for removal torque, resonance frequency analysis, and histologic analysis. The mean insertion torque in the LT group was 24 N center dot cm, whereas it was 105.6 N center dot cm in HT. All the implants osseointegrated and histologic analysis showed similar aspects of the peri-implant bone tissue for both groups and both healing times. Mean removal torque values for LT implants were 159.5 and 131.5 N center dot cm after 8 and 12 weeks, respectively, whereas those for the HT were 140 and 120 N center dot cm at 8 and 12 weeks, respectively. Implant stability quotient values were 26.6 and 76 for the LT group and 74 and 76 for the HT group at 8 and 12 weeks, respectively. It could be concluded that high implant insertion torque does not induce adverse reaction in cortical bone and does not lead to implant failure

Mantenimento igienico del paziente portatore di protesi rimovibile

Obiettivi: Le protesi rimovibili accumulano placca in maniera simile ai denti naturali. D\u2019altra parte, presentano superfici addizionali che favoriscono la colonizzazione di diversi microrganismi, tra cui Candida o patogeni respiratori. Discussione e conclusioni: La placca della protesi pu\uf2 essere una minaccia per la salute di pazienti fisicamente vulnerabili sia localmente, supportando stomatiti da protesi, sia a livello sistemico, fungendo da reservoir di infezione. Il mantenimento igienico delle protesi rimovibili \ue8, quindi, importante per la salute del paziente e l\u2019integrit\ue0 dell\u2019apparecchio protesico nel tempo. Mezzi meccanici, mezzi chimici e una combinazione dei due sono disponibili per facilitare l\u2019igiene del corpo protesico.I mezzi meccanici, quali lo spazzolamento e l\u2019uso di pulitori a ultrasuoni, sono efficaci nella rimozione di placca, tartaro e detriti dalle protesi, ma non sono sufficienti a rimuovere i microrganismi che colonizzano in profondit\ue0 i materiali protesici. I mezzi chimici, da parte loro, sono efficaci nella disinfezione delle protesi, ma non nella rimozione di tartaro e placca adesa.Per queste ragioni, il miglior approccio di pulizia dei corpi protesici \ue8 un protocollo combinato, in cui strategie meccaniche e chimicheconcorrono per mantenere le protesi pulite e in buono stato. Risultati: In ogni caso, \ue8 fondamentale che i professionisti abbiano conoscenze aggiornate delle strategie di pulizia dentale per aiutare i loro pazienti. D\u2019altra parte, per una riabilitazione protesica a lungo termine \ue8 altrettanto fondamentale la collaborazione del paziente.AbstractObjectives: Dentures harbour plaque in the same way as natural teeth. At the same time, however, they offer additional microporous surfaces that promote microrganisms\u2019 colonisation, among which many Candida species and upper airways pathogens.Discussion and conclusions: Denture plaque may be a threaten for the health of vulnerable patients, both locally, promoting denture stomatitis, and systemically, being a reservoir of pathogen species.Home care of removable dentures is important for patients\u2019 health and to keep denture in good conditions over time. Mechanical systems, chemical cleaners, and a combination of both are available to make denture care easier. Mechanical systems, such as hand brushing and ultrasonic devices, are effective in removing plaque, debris, and calculus, but cannot remove microrganisms that deeply colonize denture materials. On the contrary, chemical methods are effective in removing microrganisms, but not debris, calculus, and denture biofilm.For these reasons, the best approach in cleaning denture is to combine mechanical and chemical systems to keep denture in good conditions. Results: Anyway, it\u2019s imperative that dental pro- fessionals have an updated knowledge of denture cleansing strategies in order to help their patients. On the other hand, patient\u2019s compli- ance is fundamental for the long-term success of prosthetic rehabilitation

Additional file 1 of Electronic patient-reported outcomes (e-PROMs) in palliative cancer care: a scoping review

Additional file 1. Complete search strategy for the Medline, Embase, Web of Science, SCOPUS, PsycINFO and CINAHL databases and gray literature. It has been realized in collaboration with a librarian with expertise in systematic searches in medical research databases

First-Line Treatment of Older Patients with CLL: A New Approach in the Chemo-Free Era

Simple Summary The modern treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has dramatically changed thanks to the development of effective mechanism-based drugs, which have proven to be superior to chemoimmunotherapy in all age groups. Because the choice of treatment for older patients largely depends on fitness status rather than chronological age, we aimed to discuss and put into perspective (i) the definition of an older patient, (ii) the efficacy of targeted agents in this patient population, and (iii) the cost-effectiveness of targeted therapy in high-income countries. Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi) and the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax, with or without the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody Obinutuzumab, represent the preferred options for the first-line therapy of CLL because they are more effective and may improve quality of life. However, patient inclusion criteria are heterogeneous across trials designed for older patients, and the identification of CLL-specific parameters identifying unfit patients at risk of developing drug-specific adverse events is required to guide treatment choice. Due to inclusion/exclusion criteria in trials, higher discontinuation rates with BTKi were reported in real-world studies, and registry analyses provided useful information on factors predicting earlier discontinuation in a real-world setting. Though targeted agents were shown to be cost-effective treatments in high-income countries, the out-of-pocket expenses may limit accessibility to these drugs, and the overall expenditure for new drugs in CLL is projected to increase substantially, posing an issue for sustainability. This being said, the choice of a finite-duration treatment based on venetoclax-containing regimens or treatment until progression with BTKi is today possible in high-income countries, and the therapy choice drivers are represented by coexisting medical conditions rather than age, patient expectations, logistics, and sustainability

Lifestyle changes during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in medical college students: are there gender-related differences?

Background and aims: The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously affected young people. The present study aims to explore the effects of COVID-19 on lifestyle in 500 undergraduate students both during the acute phase of the pandemic (so-called “first wave”) and during the second spread of infections (so-called “second wave”). Gender differences were also explored. Methods and results: During the first wave we found weight gain in 48.6% of subjects, a switch to an unhealthy diet (43%), and an increase in the amount of food introduced (35%). Interestingly, women showed higher intake of food in order to cope, while men privileged higher wine consumption as a coping mechanism. We observed a sharp reduction in physical activity, increased sedentary behaviours and deterioration in sleep quality. Stress correlates with eating to cope (r=0.86; p&lt;0.001); drinking to cope (r=0.83; p&lt;0.001). Contrary to expectations, the second wave led to a situation similar to the first. We have detected a further deterioration in quality of sleep (67% vs 77%; p&lt;0.01) and also a reduction in sleeping time (68.6% vs 77.7; p&lt;0.01). Conclusions: The long pandemic has led to unhealthy lifestyle changes in the student population of our municipality in Northern Italy. There are gender differences in lifestyle modifications developed during the pandemic that suggest a different response to stress. Moreover, the persistence of pandemic-related stress due to the “second wave” has severely affected the lifestyle habits of undergraduate student. (www.actabiomedica.it

A review of Wells, R. & Gianetti, V. (1990). Handbook of Brief Psychotherapies, New York: Plenum

This handbook sets out to provide a comprehensive account of current knowledge on empirically grounded time-limited approaches to psychotherapy. The book contains 25 chapters divided into five sections. The first includes a series of essays on key topics such as theoretical integration, recent innovative approaches to process research, and the implications of mental health policy for brief therapy. The second section covers a number of technical issues such as managing engagement problems, using time limited contracts to promote change, setting tasks and single session therapy. The third, fourth and fifth sections contain review chapters on individual, family and group approaches to brief therapy. Within these chapters, psychodynamic, systems and cognitive-behavioural perspectives are well represented along with a number on interesting integrative approaches