Search

Repeat adolescent pregnancy is a public health problem worldwide. Different interventions aimed at increasing the use of contraception and preventing repeat pregnancies have been implemented and their effectiveness has been evaluated. This systematic review evaluates the results of the efficacy of diverse interventions for contraceptive use and prevention of repeat pregnancies in adolescents. A search was conducted for articles published from 1985 to 2018 in the PubMed, Scopus, EBSCOhost, Web of Science, and ProQuest databases, including interventions with adolescents 15 to 19 years of age who were pregnant, postpartum or had a history of pregnancy. Significant results were found for an increase in contraceptive use and prevention of repeat adolescent pregnancy, leading to the conclusion that there are reports of high methodological quality multicomponent interventions for the prevention of repeat adolescent pregnancy that could be tested in other socio-economic and cultural contexts.

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), which makes up about 70% of the cholesterol in the blood, is critical in the formation of arteriosclerotic plaques, increasing the risk of heart disease. LDL-C levels are estimated using Friedewald, Martin and Sampson equations, though they have limitations with high triglycerides. Our aim is to compare the effectiveness of these equations versus the ultracentrifugation technique in individuals with and without dyslipidemia and identify precision. There were 113 participants, 59 healthy controls and 54 dyslipidemic patients. Samples were collected after fasting. LDL-C was estimated using the Friedewald, Martin and Sampson equations. The purified LDL-C, ultracentrifugated and dialysized control group without dyslipidemia vs. patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) showed differences in age, HDL-C, triglycerides and glucose non-HDL-C (p = 0.001 in all). There were correlations in CGWD between ultracentrifugation and Sampson R-squared (R2) = 0.791. In the dyslipidemia control group, ultracentrifugation and Friedewald R2 = 0.911. In patients with CAD, correlation between ultracentrifugation and Sampson R2 = 0.892; Bland–Altman confirmed agreement in controls without dyslipidemia. The Martin and Sampson equations are interchangeable with ultracentrifugation. Conclusion: The role of LDL analysis using precise techniques is necessary to obtain better control of disease outcomes after the use of precise therapies and suggests verifying its importance through clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type II pneumocytes are the target of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which alters their redox homeostasis to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS). Melatonin (MT) has antioxidant proprieties and protects mitochondrial function. In this study, we evaluated whether treatment with MT compensated for the redox homeostasis alteration in serum from COVID-19 patients. We determined oxidative stress (OS) markers such as carbonyls, glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), thiols, nitrites (NO2−), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and thiol groups in serum. We also studied the enzymatic activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), reductase (GR), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), extracellular superoxide dismutase (ecSOD) and peroxidases. There were significant increases in LPO and carbonyl quantities (p ≤ 0.03) and decreases in TAC and the quantities of NO2−, thiols, and GSH (p < 0.001) in COVID-19 patients. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes such as ecSOD, TrxR, GPx, GST, GR, and peroxidases were decreased (p ≤ 0.04) after the MT treatment. The treatment with MT favored the activity of the antioxidant enzymes that contributed to an increase in TAC and restored the lost redox homeostasis. MT also modulated glucose homeostasis, functioning as a glycolytic agent, and inhibited the Warburg effect. Thus, MT restores the redox homeostasis that is altered in COVID-19 patients and can be used as adjuvant therapy in SARS-CoV-2 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type IVc Pili (T4cP), also known as Tad or Flp pili, are long thin microbial filaments that are made up of small-sized pilins. These appendages serve different functions in bacteria, including attachment, biofilm formation, surface sensing, motility, and host colonization. Despite their relevant role in diverse microbial lifestyles, knowledge about T4cP in bacteria that establish symbiosis with legumes, collectively referred to as rhizobia, is still limited. Sinorhizobium meliloti contains two clusters of T4cP-related genes: flp-1 and flp-2, which are located on the chromosome and the pSymA megaplasmid, respectively. Bundle-forming pili associated with flp-1 are involved in the competitive nodulation of alfalfa plants, but the role of flp-2 remains elusive. In this work, we have performed a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of T4cP genes in the highly competitive S. meliloti GR4 strain and investigated the role of its flp clusters in pilus biogenesis, motility, and in the interaction with alfalfa. Single and double flp-cluster mutants were constructed on the wild-type genetic background as well as in a flagellaless derivative strain. Our data demonstrate that both chromosomal and pSymA flp clusters are functional in pili biogenesis and contribute to surface translocation and nodule formation efficiency in GR4. In this strain, the presence of flp-1 in the absence of flp-2 reduces the competitiveness for nodule occupation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundSwarming motility and biofilm formation are opposite, but related surface-associated behaviors that allow various pathogenic bacteria to colonize and invade their hosts. In Sinorhizobium meliloti, the alfalfa endosymbiont, these bacterial processes and their relevance for host plant colonization are largely unexplored. Our previous work demonstrated distinct swarming abilities in two S. meliloti strains (Rm1021 and GR4) and revealed that both environmental cues (iron concentration) and bacterial genes (fadD, rhb, rirA) play crucial roles in the control of surface motility in this rhizobial species. In the current study, we investigate whether these factors have an impact on the ability of S. meliloti to establish biofilms and to colonize host roots.ResultsWe found that strain GR4, which is less prone to translocate on solid surfaces than strain Rm1021, is more efficient in developing biofilms on glass and plant root surfaces. High iron conditions, known to prevent surface motility in a wild-type strain of S. meliloti, promote biofilm development in Rm1021 and GR4 strains by inducing the formation of more structured and thicker biofilms than those formed under low iron levels. Moreover, three different S. meliloti mutants (fadD, rhb, and rirA) that exhibit an altered surface translocation behavior compared with the wild-type strain, establish reduced biofilms on both glass and alfalfa root surfaces. Iron-rich conditions neither rescue the defect in biofilm formation shown by the rhb mutant, which is unable to produce the siderophore rhizobactin 1021 (Rhb1021), nor have any impact on biofilms formed by the iron-response regulator rirA mutant. On the other hand, S. meliloti FadD loss-of-function mutants do not establish normal biofilms irrespective of iron levels.ConclusionsOur studies show that siderophore Rhb1021 is not only required for surface translocation, but also for biofilm formation on glass and root surfaces by strain Rm1021. In addition, we present evidence for the existence of control mechanisms that inversely regulate swarming and biofilm formation in S. meliloti, and that contribute to efficient plant root colonization. One of these mechanisms involves iron levels and the iron global regulator RirA. The other mechanism involves the participation of the fatty acid metabolism-related enzyme FadD.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a prevalent and aggressive form of cancer with high mortality rates and significant implications for nutritional status. Accurate assessment of malnutrition in patients with HNC is crucial for optimizing treatment outcomes and improving survival rates. This study aimed to evaluate the use of ultrasound techniques for predicting nutritional status, malnutrition, and cancer outcomes in patients with HNC. A total of 494 patients with HNC were included in this cross-sectional observational study. Various tools and body composition measurements, including muscle mass and adipose tissue ultrasound evaluations, were implemented. Using regression models, we mainly found that high levels of RF-CSA (rectus femoris cross-sectional area) were associated with a decreased risk of malnutrition (as defined with GLIM criteria (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.68–0.98); as defined with PG-SGA (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.62–0.98)) and sarcopenia (OR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.49–0.82) after being adjusted for age, sex, and BMI. To predict the importance of muscle mass ultrasound variables on the risk of mortality, a nomogram, a random forest, and decision tree models were conducted. RF-CSA was the most important variable under the random forest model. The obtained C-index for the nomogram was 0.704, and the Brier score was 16.8. With an RF-CSA < 2.7 (AUC of 0.653 (0.59–0.77)) as a split, the decision tree model classified up to 68% of patients as possessing a high probability of survival. According to the cut-off value of 2.7 cm2, patients with a low RF-CSA value lower than 2.7 cm2 had worse survival rates (p < 0.001). The findings of this study highlight the importance of implementing ultrasound tools, for accurate diagnoses and monitoring of malnutrition in patients with HNC. Adipose tissue ultrasound measurements were only weakly associated with malnutrition and not with sarcopenia, indicating that muscle mass is a more important indicator of overall health and nutritional status. These results have the potential to improve survival rates and quality of life by enabling early intervention and personalized nutritional management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the situation experienced by the agricultural organizations in the Yaqui Valley in relation to the way they generate knowledge and their capacity for innovation in health contingency. Methodology: Through qualitative research using interview guides with various farmers in the Yaqui Valley. Results: It was found that the agricultural sector quickly adapted to the appearance of Covid-19, seeking to generate ideas and strategies that allow them to obtain more knowledge about their crops. Limitations: The sector's barriers to participating in this type of research need to be pointed out as a limitation. The above is due to two main points: crime and extortion. They argue that they have been contacted by supposed institutes with the intention of contacting business appointments, and in the end, they result in telephone blackmail. Therefore, not all agricultural producers show openness regarding collaboration for the project, which makes obtaining information even more complex. Conclusion: The agricultural organizations seek to manage their knowledge through innovation, specifically product innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, various state-space implementations of surplus production models (SPMs) have been developed for data-limited stocks. Often, catches and fishing effort are underestimated and discards are ignored. This results in biased estimates of stock status and reference points. Therefore, we conduct a sensitivity analysis for different under-reporting scenarios (due to non-declared landings, by-catch, and discards) on model estimates and thus advice for the black hake species in northwest Africa. Two modelling frameworks were used, namely a stochastic SPM in continuous time (SPiCT) and Just Another Bayesian Biomass Assessment (JABBA). A common set of diagnostics was developed to allow comparison across modelling frameworks. Scenarios correspond to hypotheses about misreporting and assumptions and priors that were kept consistent. The ratio of current fishing mortality over the fishing pressure that gives the maximum sustainable yield, F/FMSY , is most affected by under-reporting. Results are sensitive to the prior assumed for the initial depletion level, B0/K , and research is needed. If the misreporting is changing over time, relative quantities (e.g. F/FMSY) and trends are biased, while if misreporting (or at least a part of misreporting) is constant, relative quantities are unbiased. Therefore, the nature of any trend in misreporting should be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Hyperglycaemia that occurs during enteral nutrition (EN) should be prevented and treated appropriately since it can have important consequences for morbidity and mortality. However, there are few quality studies in the literature regarding the management of EN in this situation. The objective of this project was to attempt to respond, through a panel of experts, to those clinical problems regarding EN in patients with diabetes or stress hyperglycaemia (hereinafter referred to only as hyperglycaemia) for which we do not have conclusive scientific evidence; (2) Methods: The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method, a modified Delphi panel method, was applied. A panel of experts made up of 10 clinical nutrition specialists was formed, and they scored on the appropriateness of EN in hyperglycaemia, doing so in two rounds. A total of 2992 clinical scenarios were examined, which were stratified into five chapters: type of formula used, method of administration, infusion site, treatment of diabetes, and gastrointestinal complications. (3) Results: consensus was detected in 36.4% of the clinical scenarios presented, of which 23.7% were deemed appropriate scenarios, while 12.7% were deemed inappropriate. The remaining 63.6% of the scenarios were classified as uncertain; (4) Conclusions: The recommendations extracted will be useful for improving the clinical management of these patients. However, there are still many uncertain scenarios reflecting that the criteria for the management of EN in hyperglycaemia are not completely standardised. More studies are required to provide quality recommendations in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]