Plasmid flux in Escherichia coli ST131 sublineages, analyzed by plasmid constellation network (PLACNET), a new method for plasmid reconstruction from whole genome sequences

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.Bacterial whole genome sequence (WGS) methods are rapidly overtaking classical sequence analysis. Many bacterial sequencing projects focus on mobilome changes, since macroevolutionary events, such as the acquisition or loss of mobile genetic elements, mainly plasmids, play essential roles in adaptive evolution. Existing WGS analysis protocols do not assort contigs between plasmids and the main chromosome, thus hampering full analysis of plasmid sequences. We developed a method (called plasmid constellation networks or PLACNET) that identifies, visualizes and analyzes plasmids in WGS projects by creating a network of contig interactions, thus allowing comprehensive plasmid analysis within WGS datasets. The workflow of the method is based on three types of data: assembly information (including scaffold links and coverage), comparison to reference sequences and plasmid-diagnostic sequence features. The resulting network is pruned by expert analysis, to eliminate confounding data, and implemented in a Cytoscape-based graphic representation. To demonstrate PLACNET sensitivity and efficacy, the plasmidome of the Escherichia coli lineage ST131 was analyzed. ST131 is a globally spread clonal group of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), comprising different sublineages with ability to acquire and spread antibiotic resistance and virulence genes via plasmids. Results show that plasmids flux in the evolution of this lineage, which is wide open for plasmid exchange. MOBF12/IncF plasmids were pervasive, adding just by themselves more than 350 protein families to the ST131 pangenome. Nearly 50% of the most frequent γ–proteobacterial plasmid groups were found to be present in our limited sample of ten analyzed ST131 genomes, which represent the main ST131 sublineages.Work was financed by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivity (BFU2011-26608 to FdlC, FIS-PI09/01273 and AGL2013-47852-R to JB and FIS-PI12-01581 and CB06/02/0053 to TMC), by the European Seventh Framework Program (612146/FP7-ICT-2013-10 to FdlC and 282004/FP7-HEALTH-2011-2.3.1-2 to FdlC and TMC); by Red Española de Investigación en Patología­ Infecciosa (REIPI RD06/0008/1018-1016) to JB, by Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria, Xunta de Galicia and European Regional Development Fund, ERDF (CN2012/303 and EM2014/001) to JB and by the regional government of Madrid (PROMPT-S2010/BMD2414) to TMC. We are also grateful to the Spanish Network for the Study of Plasmids and Extrachromosomal Elements (REDEEX) for funding cooperation among Spanish microbiologists working on the biology of MGEs (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation BFU2011-14145-E).Peer Reviewe

Efecto de la radiofrecuencia aguda y repetida a 2,45 GHz en la morfología de la glándula tiroides de rata

Non-ionizing radiation at 2.45 GHz may modify the morphology and expression of genes that codify heat shock proteins (HSP) in the thyroid gland. Fifty six rats were individually exposed once or repeatedly (ten times in 2 weeks) for 30 min to 2.45 GHz radiation in a Gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) cell at different levels of non-thermal specific absorption rate (SAR), which was calculated using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) technique. Using the immunohistochemistry technique, we studied the expression of HSP-90 protein and morphological changes in tissues thyroid gland. Ninety minutes after the radiation of the central and peripheral follicles increased in size while the peripheral wall thickness suffered a decrease in size with the highest SAR exposure. Twenty four hours after radiation central and peripheral follicles decrease in size with the SAR of 0.4 ± 12×10-3. Likewise with repeated exposure showed a decrease in the size of the follicles (peripheral and central). Morphological changes in the thyroid gland after radiation indicate acute or repeated stress adaptation in thyroid tissue in the hypothalamic-thyroi

La radiofrecuencia aguda y repetida a 2,45 GHz provoca incremento de la expresión de C-FOS en el hipotálamo

Non-ionizing radiation at 2.45 GHz may modify the morphology and expression of genes that codify heat shock proteins (HSP) in the thyroid gland. Fifty six rats were individually exposed once or repeatedly (ten times in 2 weeks) for 30 min to 2.45 GHz radiation in a Gigahertz transverse electromagnetic (GTEM) cell at different levels of non thermal specific absorption rate (SAR), which was calculated using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) technique. Using the immunohistochemistry technique, we studied the expression of HSP-90 protein and morphological changes in tissues thyroid gland. Ninety minutes after the radiation of the central and peripheral follicles increased in size while the peripheral wall thickness suffered a decrease in size with the highest SAR exposure. Twenty four hours after radiation central and peripheral follicles decrease in size with the SAR of 0.4 ± 12×10-3. Likewise with repeated exposure showed a decrease in the size of the follicles (peripheral and central). Morphological changes in the thyroid gland after radiation indicate acute or repeated stress adaptation in thyroid tissue in the hypothalamic-thyroid

A Belief System's Organization Based on a Computational Model of the Dynamic Context: First Approximation

In this article we present a model of organization of a belief system based on a set of binary recursive functions that characterize the dynamic context that modifies the beliefs. The initial beliefs are modeled by a set of two-bit words that grow, update, and generate other beliefs as the different experiences of the dynamic context appear. Reason is presented as an emergent effect of the experience on the beliefs. The system presents a layered structure that allows a functional organization of the belief system. Our approach seems suitable to model different ways of thinking and to apply to different realistic scenarios such as ideologies

Nocturnal Turbulence at Jezero Crater as Determined From MEDA Measurements and Modeling

Mars 2020 Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA) instrument data acquired during half of a Martian year (Ls 13°–180°), and modeling efforts with the Mars Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (MRAMS) and the Mars Climate Database (MCD) enable the study of the seasonal evolution and variability of nocturnal atmospheric turbulence at Jezero crater. Nighttime conditions in Mars's Planetary Boundary Layer are highly stable because of strong radiative cooling that efficiently inhibits convection. However, MEDA nighttime observations of simultaneous rapid fluctuations in horizontal wind speed and air temperatures suggest the development of nighttime turbulence in Jezero crater. Mesoscale modeling with MRAMS also shows a similar pattern and enables us to investigate the origins of this turbulence and the mechanisms at play. As opposed to Gale crater, less evidence of turbulence from breaking mountain wave activity was found in Jezero during the period studied with MRAMS. On the contrary, the model suggests that nighttime turbulence at Jezero crater is explained by increasingly strong wind shear produced by the development of an atmospheric bore-like disturbance at the nocturnal inversion interface. These atmospheric bores are produced by downslope winds from the west rim undercutting a strong low-level jet aloft from ∼19:00 to 01:00 LTST and from ∼01:00 LTST to dawn when undercutting weak winds aloft. The enhanced wind shear leads to a reduction in the Richardson number and an onset of mechanical turbulence. Once the critical Richardson Number is reached (Ri ∼ <0.25), shear instabilities can mix warmer air aloft down to the surface.This research was funded by Grant RTI2018-098728-B-C31 and PN2021-PID2021-126719OB-C41 by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation/State Agency of Research MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. AM, ASL, TR, and RH were supported by Grant PID2019-109467GB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/and by Grupos Gobierno Vasco IT1366-19. Part of this research was carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (80NM0018D0004). The JPL co-authors acknowledge funding from NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate and the Science Mission Directorate. CEN was supported by funding from the Mars 2020 mission, part of the NASA Mars Exploration Program

Marco de Fundamentación de las pruebas de la Evaluación Censal de Estudiantes. Segundo grado de primaria, cuarto grado de primaria EIB, cuarto grado de primaria (no EIB), segundo grado de secundaria

La Evaluación Censal de Estudiantes (ECE) se enmarca en las evaluaciones de sistema y es un esfuerzo del Minedu por ofrecer la oportunidad de contar con información válida, confiable y comparable, para reflexionar sobre ella y sobre los rumbos que se podrían tomar con el fin de ofrecer mayores y mejores oportunidades de aprendizaje a los estudiantes. De ese modo, la ECE es útil no solo para los gobiernos regionales y locales, y las distintas instancias del sistema educativo, sino también para las escuelas, pues les permite conocer sus resultados como institución y orientar así sus procesos pedagógicos. La construcción de una evaluación de sistema es una tarea que, por su envergadura, es de alta responsabilidad y complejidad. Es de alta responsabilidad porque sus resultados repercuten en el diseño de políticas educativas en varios niveles, lo cual implica que la evaluación estandarizada debe constituirse en un proceso legitimado socialmente. Asimismo, es una tarea compleja debido a los procesos altamente técnicos que implica y a la magnitud del operativo, todo ello con el fin de conseguir legitimidad (validez, confiabilidad, cobertura, estandarización, accesibilidad, probidad y confidencialidad) en los resultados. Así, la construcción de la ECE también es sensible a las diferencias individuales y culturales

Marco de Fundamentación de las pruebas de la Evaluación Censal de Estudiantes. Segundo grado de primaria, cuarto grado de primaria EIB, cuarto grado de primaria (no EIB), segundo grado de secundaria

La Evaluación Censal de Estudiantes (ECE) se enmarca en las evaluaciones de sistema y es un esfuerzo del Minedu por ofrecer la oportunidad de contar con información válida, confiable y comparable, para reflexionar sobre ella y sobre los rumbos que se podrían tomar con el fin de ofrecer mayores y mejores oportunidades de aprendizaje a los estudiantes. De ese modo, la ECE es útil no solo para los gobiernos regionales y locales, y las distintas instancias del sistema educativo, sino también para las escuelas, pues les permite conocer sus resultados como institución y orientar así sus procesos pedagógicos. La construcción de una evaluación de sistema es una tarea que, por su envergadura, es de alta responsabilidad y complejidad. Es de alta responsabilidad porque sus resultados repercuten en el diseño de políticas educativas en varios niveles, lo cual implica que la evaluación estandarizada debe constituirse en un proceso legitimado socialmente. Asimismo, es una tarea compleja debido a los procesos altamente técnicos que implica y a la magnitud del operativo, todo ello con el fin de conseguir legitimidad (validez, confiabilidad, cobertura, estandarización, accesibilidad, probidad y confidencialidad) en los resultados. Así, la construcción de la ECE también es sensible a las diferencias individuales y culturales

Gaia Early Data Release 3: Summary of the contents and survey properties

Context. We present the early installment of the third Gaia data release, Gaia EDR3, consisting of astrometry and photometry for 1.8 billion sources brighter than magnitude 21, complemented with the list of radial velocities from Gaia DR2. Aims. A summary of the contents of Gaia EDR3 is presented, accompanied by a discussion on the differences with respect to Gaia DR2 and an overview of the main limitations which are present in the survey. Recommendations are made on the responsible use of Gaia EDR3 results. Methods. The raw data collected with the Gaia instruments during the first 34 months of the mission have been processed by the Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium and turned into this early third data release, which represents a major advance with respect to Gaia DR2 in terms of astrometric and photometric precision, accuracy, and homogeneity. Results. Gaia EDR3 contains celestial positions and the apparent brightness in G for approximately 1.8 billion sources. For 1.5 billion of those sources, parallaxes, proper motions, and the (GBP − GRP) colour are also available. The passbands for G, GBP, and GRP are provided as part of the release. For ease of use, the 7 million radial velocities from Gaia DR2 are included in this release, after the removal of a small number of spurious values. New radial velocities will appear as part of Gaia DR3. Finally, Gaia EDR3 represents an updated materialisation of the celestial reference frame (CRF) in the optical, the Gaia-CRF3, which is based solely on extragalactic sources. The creation of the source list for Gaia EDR3 includes enhancements that make it more robust with respect to high proper motion stars, and the disturbing effects of spurious and partially resolved sources. The source list is largely the same as that for Gaia DR2, but it does feature new sources and there are some notable changes. The source list will not change for Gaia DR3. Conclusions. Gaia EDR3 represents a significant advance over Gaia DR2, with parallax precisions increased by 30 per cent, proper motion precisions increased by a factor of 2, and the systematic errors in the astrometry suppressed by 30-40% for the parallaxes and by a factor ~2.5 for the proper motions. The photometry also features increased precision, but above all much better homogeneity across colour, magnitude, and celestial position. A single passband for G, GBP, and GRP is valid over the entire magnitude and colour range, with no systematics above the 1% leve

Healthcare workers hospitalized due to COVID-19 have no higher risk of death than general population. Data from the Spanish SEMI-COVID-19 Registry

Aim To determine whether healthcare workers (HCW) hospitalized in Spain due to COVID-19 have a worse prognosis than non-healthcare workers (NHCW). Methods Observational cohort study based on the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry, a nationwide registry that collects sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment data on patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in Spain. Patients aged 20-65 years were selected. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed to identify factors associated with mortality. Results As of 22 May 2020, 4393 patients were included, of whom 419 (9.5%) were HCW. Median (interquartile range) age of HCW was 52 (15) years and 62.4% were women. Prevalence of comorbidities and severe radiological findings upon admission were less frequent in HCW. There were no difference in need of respiratory support and admission to intensive care unit, but occurrence of sepsis and in-hospital mortality was lower in HCW (1.7% vs. 3.9%; p = 0.024 and 0.7% vs. 4.8%; p<0.001 respectively). Age, male sex and comorbidity, were independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality and healthcare working with lower mortality (OR 0.211, 95%CI 0.067-0.667, p = 0.008). 30-days survival was higher in HCW (0.968 vs. 0.851 p<0.001). Conclusions Hospitalized COVID-19 HCW had fewer comorbidities and a better prognosis than NHCW. Our results suggest that professional exposure to COVID-19 in HCW does not carry more clinical severity nor mortality

The evolution of the ventilatory ratio is a prognostic factor in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 ARDS patients

Background: Mortality due to COVID-19 is high, especially in patients requiring mechanical ventilation. The purpose of the study is to investigate associations between mortality and variables measured during the first three days of mechanical ventilation in patients with COVID-19 intubated at ICU admission. Methods: Multicenter, observational, cohort study includes consecutive patients with COVID-19 admitted to 44 Spanish ICUs between February 25 and July 31, 2020, who required intubation at ICU admission and mechanical ventilation for more than three days. We collected demographic and clinical data prior to admission; information about clinical evolution at days 1 and 3 of mechanical ventilation; and outcomes. Results: Of the 2,095 patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU, 1,118 (53.3%) were intubated at day 1 and remained under mechanical ventilation at day three. From days 1 to 3, PaO2/FiO2 increased from 115.6 [80.0-171.2] to 180.0 [135.4-227.9] mmHg and the ventilatory ratio from 1.73 [1.33-2.25] to 1.96 [1.61-2.40]. In-hospital mortality was 38.7%. A higher increase between ICU admission and day 3 in the ventilatory ratio (OR 1.04 [CI 1.01-1.07], p = 0.030) and creatinine levels (OR 1.05 [CI 1.01-1.09], p = 0.005) and a lower increase in platelet counts (OR 0.96 [CI 0.93-1.00], p = 0.037) were independently associated with a higher risk of death. No association between mortality and the PaO2/FiO2 variation was observed (OR 0.99 [CI 0.95 to 1.02], p = 0.47). Conclusions: Higher ventilatory ratio and its increase at day 3 is associated with mortality in patients with COVID-19 receiving mechanical ventilation at ICU admission. No association was found in the PaO2/FiO2 variation