Diverse roles of actin in C. elegans early embryogenesis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The actin cytoskeleton plays critical roles in early development in <it>Caenorhabditis elegans</it>. To further understand the complex roles of actin in early embryogenesis we use RNAi and <it>in vivo </it>imaging of filamentous actin (F-actin) dynamics.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using RNAi, we found processes that are differentially sensitive to levels of actin during early embryogenesis. Mild actin depletion shows defects in cortical ruffling, pseudocleavage, and establishment of polarity, while more severe depletion shows defects in polar body extrusion, cytokinesis, chromosome segregation, and eventually, egg production. These defects indicate that actin is required for proper oocyte development, fertilization, and a wide range of important events during early embryogenesis, including proper chromosome segregation. <it>In vivo </it>visualization of the cortical actin cytoskeleton shows dynamics that parallel but are distinct from the previously described myosin dynamics. Two distinct types of actin organization are observed at the cortex. During asymmetric polarization to the anterior, or the establishment phase (Phase I), actin forms a meshwork of microfilaments and focal accumulations throughout the cortex, while during the anterior maintenance phase (Phase II) it undergoes a morphological transition to asymmetrically localized puncta. The proper asymmetric redistribution is dependent on the PAR proteins, while both asymmetric redistribution and morphological transitions are dependent upon PFN-1 and NMY-2. Just before cytokinesis, actin disappears from most of the cortex and is only found around the presumptive cytokinetic furrow. Finally, we describe dynamic actin-enriched comets in the early embryo.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>During early <it>C. elegans </it>embryogenesis actin plays more roles and its organization is more dynamic than previously described. Morphological transitions of F-actin, from meshwork to puncta, as well as asymmetric redistribution, are regulated by the PAR proteins. Results from this study indicate new insights into the cellular and developmental roles of the actin cytoskeleton.</p

Desafíos e ideas en la endocarditis por Aggregatibacter aphrophilus: una revisión de la literatura

Infective endocarditis is a serious disease associated with high mortality despite recent advances in diagnosis and treatment. Aggregatibacter aphrophilus is a fastidious Gram-negative member of the HACEK organisms (Haemophilus spp., Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Cardiobacterium hominis, Eikenella corrodens, and Kingella kingae). A. aphrophilus is associated with dental infections but has also been implicated in cases of infective endocarditis. We highlight the importance of a high index of suspicion in symptomatic patients with an initial negative blood culture, particularly in high-risk groups such as patients with congenital valve disease and prosthetic valve. The knowledge of this rare entity may lead to early diagnosis and appropriate management. We review the main characteristics of Aggregatibacter aphrophilus endocarditis reported in the medical literature.La endocarditis infecciosa es una enfermedad grave que está asociada con una alta mortalidad a pesar de los avances recientes en el diagnóstico y tratamiento. Aggregatibacter aphrophilus es un miembro Gram-negativo de los organismos HACEK (Haemophilus spp., Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Cardiobacterium hominis, Eikenella corrodens y Kingella kingae). A. aphrophilus está relacionado con infecciones dentales, pero también ha estado implicado en casos de endocarditis infecciosa. Se destaca la importancia de tener un alto índice de sospecha en pacientes sintomáticos con un cultivo sanguíneo inicial negativo, especialmente en grupos de alto riesgo como pacientes con enfermedad valvular congénita y válvula protésica. El conocimiento de esta entidad poco común puede llevar a un diagnóstico temprano y un manejo adecuado. Revisamos las principales características de la endocarditis por Aggregatibacter aphrophilus reportadas en la literatura médica

Challenges and Insights in Aggregatibacter aphrophilus endocarditis: a review of literature

Infective endocarditis is a serious disease associated with high mortality despite recent advances in diagnosis and treatment. Aggregatibacter aphrophilus is a fastidious Gram-negative member of the HACEK organisms (Haemophilus spp., Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Cardiobacterium hominis, Eikenella corrodens, and Kingella kingae). A. aphrophilus is associated with dental infections but has also been implicated in cases of infective endocarditis. We highlight the importance of a high index of suspicion in symptomatic patients with an initial negative blood culture, particularly in high-risk groups such as patients with congenital valve disease and prosthetic valve. The knowledge of this rare entity may lead to early diagnosis and appropriate management. We review the main characteristics of Aggregatibacter aphrophilus endocarditis reported in the medical literature.Infective endocarditis is a serious disease associated with high mortality despite recent advances in diagnosis and treatment. Aggregatibacter aphrophilus is a fastidious Gram-negative member of the HACEK organisms (Haemophilus spp., Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Cardiobacterium hominis, Eikenella corrodens, and Kingella kingae). A. aphrophilus is associated with dental infections but has also been implicated in cases of infective endocarditis. We highlight the importance of a high index of suspicion in symptomatic patients with an initial negative blood culture, particularly in high-risk groups such as patients with congenital valve disease and prosthetic valve. The knowledge of this rare entity may lead to early diagnosis and appropriate management. We review the main characteristics of Aggregatibacter aphrophilus endocarditis reported in the medical literature

An unusual case of Candida parapsilosis endocarditis of the native tricuspid valve secondary to a tunneled dialysis catheter

Candida endocarditis is a severe disease associated with high mortality rates. Candida parapsilosis is frequently identified as the causative pathogen in intravenous drug users and is commonly associated with nosocomial infections, primarily due to its ability to form biofilms on catheters or other foreign bodies. Here, we present a rare case of Candida parapsilosis endocarditis affecting the native tricuspid valve in a 35-year-old male patient with end-stage chronic kidney disease (Stage V), who had a suspected fungal infection related to the left cervical catheter. The patient received treatment with caspofungin and underwent excision of a verrucous tumor on the tricuspid valve. Despite encountering postoperative complications, the patient was discharged on fluconazole treatment and scheduled for follow-up. Candida endocarditis poses a clinical challenge that necessitates a multidisciplinary approach and tailored management due to its infrequent occurrence and higher mortality rate compared to bacterial endocarditis.Candida endocarditis is a severe disease associated with high mortality rates. Candida parapsilosis is frequently identified as the causative pathogen in intravenous drug users and is commonly associated with nosocomial infections, primarily due to its ability to form biofilms on catheters or other foreign bodies. Here, we present a rare case of Candida parapsilosis endocarditis affecting the native tricuspid valve in a 35-year-old male patient with end-stage chronic kidney disease (Stage V), who had a suspected fungal infection related to the left cervical catheter. The patient received treatment with caspofungin and underwent excision of a verrucous tumor on the tricuspid valve. Despite encountering postoperative complications, the patient was discharged on fluconazole treatment and scheduled for follow-up. Candida endocarditis poses a clinical challenge that necessitates a multidisciplinary approach and tailored management due to its infrequent occurrence and higher mortality rate compared to bacterial endocarditis

Orientación a maestros y maestras de educación primaria para tratar problemas y dificultades de aprendizaje en la Escuela Quirina Tassi de Agostini

Orientar al maestro sobre las características que presentan los niños con dificultades de aprendizaje, brindándoles técnicas para que puedan contribuir al desarrollo de las habilidades y destrezas de sus alumnos. Como objetivos específicos se plantearon establecer los signos y/o síntomas que presentan los niños con dificultades de aprendizaje; Identificar las repercusiones psicológicas que presentan los niños con dificultades de aprendizaje; determinar si los maestros poseen conocimiento sobre las dificultades de aprendizaje; sugerir a los maestros diferentes técnicas de apoyo para que sus alumnos puedan afrontar las dificultades que presentan en su aprendizaje. Se platearon las siguientes interrogantes: ¿Cuáles son los signos y/o síntomas que presentan los niños con dificultades en el aprendizaje? ¿Cuáles son las repercusiones psicológicas que presentan los niños con dificultades en su aprendizaje? ¿Cómo afronta el maestro las dificultades y problemas en el aprendizaje? ¿Qué conocimiento tienen los maestros sobre los problemas y dificultades de aprendizaje? Las técnicas e instrumentos de recolección de datos que se utilizaron fueron: la observación, entrevista estructurada, y guías de observación. El lugar que se realizó la investigación fue en la Escuela Oficial Urbana Mixta No.141 “Quirina Tassi de Agostini” en un periodo de 3 meses, con niños de 9 a 12 años referidos por los docentes

Un caso inusual de endocarditis de válvula tricúspide nativa por Candida parapsilosis secundario al uso de catéter de diálisis tunelizado

Candida endocarditis is a severe disease associated with high mortality rates. Candida parapsilosis is frequently identified as the causative pathogen in intravenous drug users and is commonly associated with nosocomial infections, primarily due to its ability to form biofilms on catheters or other foreign bodies. Here, we present a rare case of Candida parapsilosis endocarditis affecting the native tricuspid valve in a 35-year-old male patient with end-stage chronic kidney disease (Stage V), who had a suspected fungal infection related to the left cervical catheter. The patient received treatment with caspofungin and underwent excision of a verrucous tumor on the tricuspid valve. Despite encountering postoperative complications, the patient was discharged on fluconazole treatment and scheduled for follow-up. Candida endocarditis poses a clinical challenge that necessitates a multidisciplinary approach and tailored management due to its infrequent occurrence and higher mortality rate compared to bacterial endocarditis.La endocarditis por Candida es una enfermedad grave asociada con tasas de mortalidad elevadas. Candida parapsilosis se identifica con frecuencia como un patógeno que afecta usuarios de drogas intravenosas y está comúnmente relacionada con infecciones nosocomiales, principalmente debido a su capacidad para formar biopelículas en catéteres u otros cuerpos extraños. Se presenta un caso inusual de endocarditis por Candida parapsilosis que afecta la válvula tricúspide nativa en un paciente masculino de 35 años con enfermedad renal crónica en etapa terminal (Etapa V), quien tenía una sospecha de infección fúngica relacionada con el catéter cervical izquierdo. El paciente recibió tratamiento con caspofungina y se sometió a la extirpación de un tumor verrugoso en la válvula tricúspide. A pesar de enfrentar complicaciones posoperatorias, el paciente fue dado de alta con tratamiento de fluconazol y se programó un seguimiento. La endocarditis por Candida presenta un desafío clínico que requiere un enfoque multidisciplinario y un manejo personalizado debido a su ocurrencia infrecuente y una tasa de mortalidad más alta en comparación con la endocarditis bacteriana

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Atención psicológica a mujeres víctimas de violencia doméstica para afrontar el estrés.

Brinda apoyo y orientación psicológica a mujeres que presentan estrés por haber padecido y/o sufrido violencia doméstica. Establece los signos y síntomas que presentan las mujeres que han sido víctimas de la violencia doméstica. Determina cómo las mujeres se identifican como víctimas de violencia doméstica. Identifica cómo afrontan el estrés. El estudio se realizó en la Asociación de Mujeres en Solidaridad –AMES-, ubicada en la 20 avenida 2-44 zona 6 Mercado San Martín en la ciudad de Guatemala, durante un periodo de tres meses. La muestra estuvo representada por 25 mujeres comprendidas entre los 17 a 35 años de edad que viven en la comunidad de San Antonio las Flores Chinautla. Para recolectar datos se utilizaron las técnicas siguientes: dos guías de observación y entrevista estructurada dirigidas a mujeres víctimas de violencia; entrevista no estructurada dirigida a profesionales que laboran en la institución, las cuales fueron aplicadas individualmente al inicio de la investigación, para obtener los resultados. Se realizaron talleres de relajación. Analiza e interpreta resultados y concluye que, la violencia doméstica comprende todos aquellos actos violentos, desde el empleo de la fuerza física, acoso o la intimidación, en Guatemala son muchos casos que no son denunciados, porque desconocen sus derechos o temen tener represalias por parte del esposo y /o conviviente. La violencia psicológica, conocida también como violencia emocional, es una forma de maltrato, por lo que se encuentra en una de las categorías dentro de la violencia doméstica. La intención que trae consigo la violencia psicológica es humillar, hacer sentir mal e insegura a una persona, deteriorando su propio valor. Se manifiesta a través de palabras hirientes, descalificaciones, humillaciones, gritos e insultos