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Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023In Japan, nationwide epidemiological surveys on carbapenem-resistant (CREs), including comprehensive information, are scarce, with most data available only through...
In Japan, nationwide epidemiological surveys on carbapenem-resistant (CREs), including comprehensive information, are scarce, with most data available only through public reports. This study analyzed data on the family collected from nationwide testing centers between January 2016 and December 2022, focusing on isolates that met the criteria for CRE in Japan based on drug susceptibility. We investigated 5,323,875 isolates of 12 different species; among 4696 (0.09%) CRE strains, the proportion of major CRE isolates was as follows: , 31.3%; , 28.0%; , 18.5%; and , 6.7%. Moreover, over a 7-year period, , , , and demonstrated relatively high CRE percentages of 0.6% (156/26,185), 0.47% (869/184,221), 0.28% (313/110,371), and 0.17% (1314/780,958), respectively. The number of CRE strains isolated from different samples was as follows: urine, 2390; respiratory specimens, 1254; stool, 425; blood, 252; others, 375. In the broader context, including colonization, the predominant isolates of CREs collected at nationwide testing centers are and . Furthermore, recently, attention has been directed toward less common CRE species, such as and , and thus, it might be necessary to continue monitoring these less common species.
PubMed: 37887763
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12101246 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Jun 2024is a Gram-negative bacterium found in a wide variety of water and land environments and organisms. It has been isolated as part of the gut microbiome of animals and...
is a Gram-negative bacterium found in a wide variety of water and land environments and organisms. It has been isolated as part of the gut microbiome of animals and insects, as well as from stool samples of patients with diarrhea. Specific strains encode gene homologs of virulence factors found in other pathogenic members of the same Enterobacterales order, such as serovar Typhimurium and Whether these genes are also pathogenic determinants in is not known. Here we have used 205/92, a clinical isolate, with and infection models to investigate -host interactions at the cellular level. Our particular focus was the role of two type III secretion systems (T3SS) belonging to the Inv-Mxi/Spa family. T3SS is widespread in spp. and encoded on the chromosome. T3SS is encoded on a large plasmid that is present in a subset of strains, which are primarily isolates from diarrheal patients. Using a combination of electron and fluorescence microscopy and gentamicin protection assays we show that 205/92 is internalized into eukaryotic cells, rapidly lyses its internalization vacuole and proliferates in the cytosol. This triggers caspase-4 dependent inflammasome responses in gut epithelial cells. The requirement for the T3SS in entry, vacuole lysis and cytosolic proliferation is host-cell type specific, playing a more prominent role in human intestinal epithelial cells as compared to macrophages. In a bovine ligated intestinal loop model, colonizes the intestinal mucosa, inducing mild epithelial damage with negligible fluid accumulation. No overt role for T3SS or T3SS was seen in the calf infection model. However, T3SS was required for the rapid killing of . We propose that the acquisition of two T3SS by horizontal gene transfer has allowed to diversify its host range, from a highly virulent pathogen of insects to an opportunistic gastrointestinal pathogen of animals.
PubMed: 38895369
DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.07.595826 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024The (Mol.) Stuntz, also known as Maqui, is an endemic berry native to southern Chile. It is a very popular berry for its nutritional attributes and health benefits,... (Review)
Review
The (Mol.) Stuntz, also known as Maqui, is an endemic berry native to southern Chile. It is a very popular berry for its nutritional attributes and health benefits, provided mainly by its polyphenols. This review aims to investigate the Maqui and its nutritional characteristics, its health benefits, and the application of Maqui in the food industry. This fruit provides 150 calories per 100 g of product and has a low protein content and a high fiber content. Its seeds contain monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs); however, its most outstanding feature is its high value of bioactive compounds, mainly anthocyanins, indole alkaloids and flavonoids, coumarins, caffeic and ferulic acids, and delphinidin 3-O-β-glucoside, the latter being the most representative, providing Maqui with high antioxidant activity. Maqui is considered a fruit of high interest as a nutraceutical product for the control and prevention of ongoing diseases, and among its benefits, we can highlight glycemic and metabolic control; the control and prevention of obesity, cancer, cognitive decline, and dementia; the prevention and treatment of bone structure alterations; prevention against oxidative stress, particularly in cigarette smoke-induced stress. In addition to its nutraceutical use, Maqui has been used in the food industry to improve the shelf life (by controlling lipid oxidation) and nutritional value of food products and as a substitute for synthetic additives. In addition, the inclusion of Maqui improves the organoleptic and sensory characteristics of foods. The incorporation of this fruit has been observed mainly in drinks, meat products, bakery products, and milk products. Evidence has shown that Maqui consumption, as well as products with Maqui added, have a good acceptability and exert benefits on people's health. Knowledge about the application of Maqui in food will allow us to create new nutraceutical and food products that improve their nutritional and functional value.
PubMed: 38540828
DOI: 10.3390/foods13060838 -
The Lancet. Public Health Feb 2024Cancer is one of the most pressing global health issues, and populations with complex needs, such as people experiencing homelessness, have higher cancer incidence and... (Review)
Review
Cancer is one of the most pressing global health issues, and populations with complex needs, such as people experiencing homelessness, have higher cancer incidence and mortality rates compared with the housed population. We mapped the evidence on cancer risk factors as well as barriers and facilitators to cancer prevention services among people experiencing homelessness, which is key to localising research gaps and identifying strategies for tailored interventions adapted to people experiencing homelessness. The results of 40 studies contribute to an understanding of the dynamic, interactive factors at different levels that determine access to cancer prevention services: socioeconomic, psychological, and physical factors (individual level); practical support and relational loops between health-care providers and people experiencing homelessness (interpersonal level); housing and regular medical care (system level); and interventions to facilitate access to cancer prevention (policy level). Furthermore, studies reported higher prevalence of various cancer-associated risk factors among people experiencing homelessness with the most common being tobacco use, ranging from 26% to 73%. The results show the importance of interventions to facilitate cancer prevention services through social support and low-threshold interventions (eg, navigation programmes), and training health-care staff in creating supportive and trusting environments that increase the likelihood of the continuity of care among people experiencing homelessness.
Topics: Humans; Health Services Accessibility; Ill-Housed Persons; Risk Factors; Housing; Health Personnel; Neoplasms
PubMed: 38307679
DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(23)00298-0 -
Europace : European Pacing,... Feb 2024Although guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) are regularly published, many controversial issues remain, limiting their implementation. We aim to...
Current management of atrial fibrillation in routine practice according to the last ESC guidelines: an EHRA physician survey-how are we dealing with controversial approaches?
AIMS
Although guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) are regularly published, many controversial issues remain, limiting their implementation. We aim to describe current clinical practice among European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) community according to last guidelines.
METHODS AND RESULTS
A 30 multiple-choice questionnaire covering the most controversial topics related to AF management was distributed through the EHRA Research Network, National Societies, and social media between January and February 2023. One hundred and eighty-one physicians responded the survey, 61% from university hospitals. Atrial fibrillation screening in high-risk patients is regularly performed by 57%. Only 42% has access to at least one programme aiming at diagnosing/managing comorbidities and lifestyle modifications, with marked heterogeneity between countries. Direct oral anticoagulants are the preferred antithrombotic (97%). Rhythm control is the preferred strategy in most AF phenotypes: symptomatic vs. asymptomatic paroxysmal AF (97% vs. 77%), low vs. high risk for recurrence persistent AF (90% vs. 72%), and permanent AF (20%). I-C drugs and amiodarone are preferred while dronedarone and sotalol barely used. Ablation is the first-line therapy for symptomatic paroxysmal AF (69%) and persistent AF with markers of atrial disease (57%) and is performed independently of symptoms by 15%. In persistent AF, 68% performs only pulmonary vein isolation and 32% also additional lesions.
CONCLUSION
There is marked heterogeneity in AF management and limited accordance to last guidelines in the EHRA community. Most of the discrepancies are related to the main controversial issues, such as those related to AF screening, management of comorbidities, pharmacological treatment, and ablation strategy.
Topics: Humans; Atrial Fibrillation; Comorbidity; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sotalol; Anticoagulants; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38227804
DOI: 10.1093/europace/euae012 -
Microbiology Spectrum Sep 2023The first cases of in Argentina were detected in three (Pre) recovered from two hospitals in Buenos Aires city in 2013. The isolates were genetically related, but the...
The first cases of in Argentina were detected in three (Pre) recovered from two hospitals in Buenos Aires city in 2013. The isolates were genetically related, but the plasmid profile was different. Here, we characterized the -harboring plasmids of the first three cases detected in Argentina. Hybrid assembly obtained from short- and long-read sequencing rendered in Col3M plasmids of . 320 kb (p15268A_320) in isolate PreM15268, 210 kb (p15758B_210) in PreM15758, and 225 kb (p15973A_225) in PreM15973. In addition, PreM15758 harbored a 98-kb circular plasmid (p15758C_98) flanked by a putative recombination site (-Tn), with 100% nucleotide ID and coverage with p15628A_320. Analysis of PFGE/S1-nuclease gel, Southern hybridization with probe, hybrid assembly of short and long reads suggests that pM15758C_98 can integrate by homologous recombination. The three -plasmids were non-conjugative . Moreover, genes were incomplete, and oriT was not found in the three -plasmids. In two isolates, bla was embedded in a partially conserved structure flanked by two IS. In addition, all plasmids harbored , , and D1 genes and , , B3, and as part of a class 1 integron. Also, p15268A_320 and p15973A_225 harbored . To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of clinical harboring bla in an atypical genetic environment and located in unusual chimeric Col3M plasmids. The study and continuous surveillance of these pathogens are crucial to tracking the evolution of these resistant plasmids and finding solutions to tackle their dissemination. IMPORTANCE Infections caused by carbapenem hydrolyzing enzymes like NDM (New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase) represent a serious problem worldwide because they restrict available treatment options and increase morbidity and mortality, and treatment failure prolongs hospital stays. The first three cases of NDM in Argentina were caused by genetically related recovered in two hospitals. In this work, we studied the genetic structure of the plasmids encoding in those index cases and revealed the enormous plasticity of these genetic elements. In particular, we found a small plasmid that was also found inserted in the larger plasmids by homologous recombination as a co-integrate element. We also found that the plasmids were not able to transfer or move to other hosts, suggesting their role as reservoir elements for the acquisition of resistance genes. It is necessary to unravel the dissemination strategies and the evolution of these resistant plasmids to find solutions to tackle their spread.
PubMed: 37732774
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01651-23 -
British Journal of Sports Medicine Mar 2024This study aims to examine the associations of daily step count with all-cause mortality and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) by sedentary time levels and to...
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to examine the associations of daily step count with all-cause mortality and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) by sedentary time levels and to determine if the minimal and optimal number of daily steps is modified by high sedentary time.
METHODS
Using data from the UK Biobank, this was a prospective dose-response analysis of total daily steps across low (<10.5 hours/day) and high (≥10.5 hours/day) sedentary time (as defined by the inflection point of the adjusted absolute risk of sedentary time with the two outcomes). Mortality and incident CVD was ascertained through 31 October 2021.
RESULTS
Among 72 174 participants (age=61.1±7.8 years), 1633 deaths and 6190 CVD events occurred over 6.9 (±0.8) years of follow-up. Compared with the referent 2200 steps/day (5th percentile), the optimal dose (nadir of the curve) for all-cause mortality ranged between 9000 and 10 500 steps/day for high (HR (95% CI)=0.61 (0.51 to 0.73)) and low (0.69 (0.52 to 0.92)) sedentary time. For incident CVD, there was a subtle gradient of association by sedentary time level with the lowest risk observed at approximately 9700 steps/day for high (0.79 (0.72 to 0.86)) and low (0.71 (0.61 to 0.83)) sedentary time. The minimal dose (steps/day associated with 50% of the optimal dose) of daily steps was between 4000 and 4500 steps/day across sedentary time groups for all-cause mortality and incident CVD.
CONCLUSIONS
Any amount of daily steps above the referent 2200 steps/day was associated with lower mortality and incident CVD risk, for low and high sedentary time. Accruing 9000-10 500 steps/day was associated with the lowest mortality risk independent of sedentary time. For a roughly equivalent number of steps/day, the risk of incident CVD was lower for low sedentary time compared with high sedentary time.
Topics: Humans; Middle Aged; Aged; Cohort Studies; Cardiovascular Diseases; Prospective Studies; Sedentary Behavior; Risk
PubMed: 38442950
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-107221 -
Global Heart 2024Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is the most common cause of valvular heart disease worldwide. Undiagnosed or untreated RHD can complicate pregnancy and lead to poor... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is the most common cause of valvular heart disease worldwide. Undiagnosed or untreated RHD can complicate pregnancy and lead to poor maternal and fetal outcomes and is a significant factor in non-obstetric morbidity. Echocardiography has an emerging role in screening for RHD. We aimed to critically analyse the evidence on the use of echocardiography for screening pregnant women for RHD in high-prevalence areas.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE and Embase to identify the relevant reports. Two independent reviewers assessed the reports against the eligibility criteria in a double-blind process.
RESULTS
The searches (date: 4 April 2023) identified 432 records for screening. Ten non-controlled observational studies were identified, five using portable or handheld echocardiography, comprising data from 23,166 women. Prevalence of RHD varied across the studies, ranging from 0.4 to 6.6% (I, heterogeneity >90%). Other cardiac abnormalities (e.g., congenital heart disease and left ventricular systolic dysfunction) were also detected <1% to 2% of cases. Certainty of evidence was very low.
CONCLUSION
Echocardiography as part of antenatal care in high-prevalence areas may detect RHD or other cardiac abnormalities in asymptomatic pregnant women, potentially reducing the rates of disease progression and adverse labor-associated outcomes. However, this evidence is affected by the low certainty of evidence, and lack of studies comparing echocardiography versus standard antenatal care.
PROSPECTIVE REGISTRATION
PROSPERO 2022 July 4; CRD42022344081 Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=344081.
RESEARCH QUESTION
'In areas with a high prevalence of rheumatic heart disease, should handheld echocardiography be added to routine antenatal care?'
Topics: Humans; Rheumatic Heart Disease; Female; Pregnancy; Echocardiography; Prevalence; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; Prenatal Care
PubMed: 38681969
DOI: 10.5334/gh.1318 -
Journal of Translational Medicine Oct 2023Patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and central sleep apnea (CSA) are at a very high risk of fatal outcomes.
BACKGROUND
Patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and central sleep apnea (CSA) are at a very high risk of fatal outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether the circulating miRNome provides additional information for risk stratification on top of clinical predictors in patients with HFrEF and CSA.
METHODS
The study included patients with HFrEF and CSA from the SERVE-HF trial. A three-step protocol was applied: microRNA (miRNA) screening (n = 20), technical validation (n = 60), and biological validation (n = 587). The primary outcome was either death from any cause, lifesaving cardiovascular intervention, or unplanned hospitalization for worsening of heart failure, whatever occurred first. MiRNA quantification was performed in plasma samples using miRNA sequencing and RT-qPCR.
RESULTS
Circulating miR-133a-3p levels were inversely associated with the primary study outcome. Nonetheless, miR-133a-3p did not improve a previously established clinical prognostic model in terms of discrimination or reclassification. A customized regression tree model constructed using the Classification and Regression Tree (CART) algorithm identified eight patient subphenotypes with specific risk patterns based on clinical and molecular characteristics. MiR-133a-3p entered the regression tree defining the group at the lowest risk; patients with log(NT-proBNP) ≤ 6 pg/mL (miR-133a-3p levels above 1.5 arbitrary units). The overall predictive capacity of suffering the event was highly stable over the follow-up (from 0.735 to 0.767).
CONCLUSIONS
The combination of clinical information, circulating miRNAs, and decision tree learning allows the identification of specific risk subphenotypes in patients with HFrEF and CSA.
Topics: Humans; Heart Failure; Sleep Apnea, Central; Biomarkers; Stroke Volume; MicroRNAs; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left; Decision Trees
PubMed: 37864227
DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04558-w -
Cells Feb 2024In this study, we investigated the inter-organelle communication between the Golgi apparatus (GA) and mitochondria. Previous observations suggest that GA-derived...
In this study, we investigated the inter-organelle communication between the Golgi apparatus (GA) and mitochondria. Previous observations suggest that GA-derived vesicles containing phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI(4)P) play a role in mitochondrial fission, colocalizing with DRP1, a key protein in this process. However, the functions of these vesicles and potentially associated proteins remain unknown. GOLPH3, a PI(4)P-interacting GA protein, is elevated in various types of solid tumors, including breast cancer, yet its precise role is unclear. Interestingly, GOLPH3 levels influence mitochondrial mass by affecting cardiolipin synthesis, an exclusive mitochondrial lipid. However, the mechanism by which GOLPH3 influences mitochondria is not fully understood. Our live-cell imaging analysis showed GFP-GOLPH3 associating with PI(4)P vesicles colocalizing with YFP-DRP1 at mitochondrial fission sites. We tested the functional significance of these observations with GOLPH3 knockout in MDA-MB-231 cells of breast cancer, resulting in a fragmented mitochondrial network and reduced bioenergetic function, including decreased mitochondrial ATP production, mitochondrial membrane potential, and oxygen consumption. Our findings suggest a potential negative regulatory role for GOLPH3 in mitochondrial fission, impacting mitochondrial function and providing insights into GA-mitochondria communication.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; MDA-MB-231 Cells; Mitochondrial Dynamics; Golgi Apparatus; Energy Metabolism; Membrane Proteins
PubMed: 38391929
DOI: 10.3390/cells13040316