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Group comparisons showed that mean levels of MFA were lowest for expectant mothers in Vietnam and highest for expectant mothers in Sri Lanka. MFA was higher in first-time mothers than in mothers expecting a later-born child. The PAI yields similar information about MFA across culturally distinct middle-income countries. These findings strengthen confidence in the use of the tool across different settings; future studies should explore the use of the PAI as a screen for maternal behaviour that place children at risk.Iron is a fundamental element for virtually all forms of life. Despite its abundance, its bioavailability is limited, and thus, microbes developed siderophores, small molecules, which are synthesized inside the cell and then released outside for iron scavenging. Once inside the cell, iron removal does not occur spontaneously, instead this process is mediated by siderophore-interacting proteins (SIP) and/or by ferric-siderophore reductases (FSR). In the past two decades, representatives of the SIP subfamily have been structurally and biochemically characterized; however, the same was not achieved for the FSR subfamily. Here, we initiate the structural and functional characterization of FhuF, the first and only FSR ever isolated. FhuF is a globular monomeric protein mainly composed by α-helices sheltering internal cavities in a fold resembling the "palm" domain found in siderophore biosynthetic enzymes. Paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy revealed that the core of the cluster has electronic properties in line with those of previously characterized 2Fe-2S ferredoxins and differences appear to be confined to the coordination of Fe(III) in the reduced protein. In particular, the two cysteines coordinating this iron appear to have substantially different bond strengths. In similarity with the proteins from the SIP subfamily, FhuF binds both the iron-loaded and the apo forms of ferrichrome in the micromolar range and cyclic voltammetry reveals the presence of redox-Bohr effect, which broadens the range of ferric-siderophore substrates that can be thermodynamically accessible for reduction. This study suggests that despite the structural differences between FSR and SIP proteins, mechanistic similarities exist between the two classes of proteins.Common bed bugs (Cimex lectularius L.) are hematophagous pests present in urban environments across the globe. selleck chemicals It is widely established that they have a strong host preference for humans. However, there are records of C. lectularius feeding upon a range of mammalian and avian hosts, including rodents, in the field. There is little information available about how frequently common bed bugs feed on alternative hosts in residential settings, but understanding this phenomenon has implications for both management of infestations and public health. Here, we examined cohorts of C. lectularius collected from 13 different dwellings in the state of New Jersey, USA, that were known to be simultaneously infested with house mice (Mus musculus domesticus). Host-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to determine if blood meals were taken from mice, while 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was used to screen the bed bugs for the presence of zoonotic bacterial pathogens. We found no evidence that any of the bed bugs we collected fed on mice. Furthermore, the insects harbored depauperate bacterial communities that did not include known human pathogens. However, host-specific qPCR detected feline DNA in a pool of bed bugs from one dwelling, suggesting that interaction with domestic pets should be further investigated. Although sampling in this study was limited, the approach described herein will be useful for additional studies of the interactions between bed bugs and alternative blood meal hosts.

To evaluate strains of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from endodontic failures cases for (a) presence of virulence genes, namely, gelatinase production (gelE), surface protein (esp), collagen-binding adhesin (ace), cytolysin activator (cylA), E. faecalis antigen A (efaA) and aggregation substance (asa), all by using PCR; (b) biofilm formation capacity; and (c) activity of gelatinase and β-lactamase.

Twenty-five strains of E. faecalis were tested. The DNA extracted from these strains was used for identification of virulence genes by PCR and 1% agarose gel. Biofilm formation was performed on polystyrene microplates by using the violet crystal staining method. For assessment of the gelatinase activity, inoculum of pure cultures was deposited in tubes containing gelatin and a nutrient broth, whereas nitrocefin disks were used to assess the β-lactamase action.

The virulence genes efaA and cylA were detected in 100% of the strains, whereas gelE was present in 84%, ace in 68%, esp in 56% and asa in 48%. Four strains had no biofilm formation, 17 had poor formation and four had moderate formation. Gelatinase production was observed in three strains and β-lactamase resistance in five strains of E. faecalis.

Diverse patterns of virulence gene detection were observed among the E. faecalis strains, with predominance of those capable of forming biofilm. A few strains have been found to hydrolyze gelatin proteins, whereas β-lactamase resistance was detected in different isolates.

To understand the influence of virulence factors in E. faecalis on the host heath status.

To understand the influence of virulence factors in E. faecalis on the host heath status.L-Ribose, a starting material for the synthesis of L-nucleoside, has attracted lots of attention since L-nucleoside is responsible for the antiviral activities of the racemic mixtures of nucleoside enantiomers. In this study, the L-ribulose-producing Candida tropicalis strain was engineered for the conversion of L-arabinose to L-ribose. For the construction of a uracil auxotroph, the URA3 gene was excised by homologous recombination. The expression cassette of codon-optimized L-ribose isomerase gene from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus DL-28 under the control of the GAPDH promoter was integrated to the uracil auxotroph. The resulting strain, K1 CoSTP2 LsaAraA AcLRI, was cultivated with the glucose/L-arabinose mixture. At 45.5 h of fermentation, 6.0 g/L of L-ribose and 3.2 g/L of L-ribulose were produced from 30 g/L of L-arabinose. The proportion between L-ribose and L-ribulose was approximately 21 and the conversion yield of L-arabinose to L-ribose was about 20% (w/w). The L-ribose-producing yeast strain was successfully constructed for the first time and could convert L-arabinose to L-ribose in one-pot fermentation using the mixture of glucose and L-arabinose.

Occupational inhalant exposures have been linked with a higher occurrence of chronic productive cough, but recent studies question the association.

We included participants from two general population studies, the Copenhagen City General Population Study and the Copenhagen City Heart Study, to assess contemporary (year 2003-2017) and historical (1976-1983) occupational inhalant hazards. Job titles one year prior to study inclusion and an airborne chemical job-exposure matrix (ACE JEM) were used to estimate occupational exposure. The association between occupational exposures and self-reported chronic productive cough was studied using generalized estimating equations stratified by smoking status and cohort.

The population consisted of 5210 working individuals aged 20-65 from 1976 to 1983 and 64,279 from 2003 to 2017. In smokers, exposure to high levels of mineral dust, biological dust, gases & fumes and the composite variable vapours, gases, dusts or fumes (VGDF) were associated with chronic productive cough in both cohorts with odds ratios in the range of 1.2 (95% confidence interval, 1.0;1.4) to 1.6 (1.2;2.1). High levels of biological dust were only associated with an increased risk of a chronic productive cough in the 2003-2017 cohort (OR 1.5 (1.1;2.0)). In non-smokers, high levels of VGDF (OR 1.5 (1.0;2.3)) and low levels of mineral dust (OR 1.7 (1.1;2.4)) were associated with chronic productive cough in the 1976-1983 cohort, while no associations were seen in non-smokers in the 2003-2017 cohort.

Occupational inhalant exposure remains associated with a modestly increased risk of a chronic productive cough in smokers, despite declining exposure levels during the past four decades.

Occupational inhalant exposure remains associated with a modestly increased risk of a chronic productive cough in smokers, despite declining exposure levels during the past four decades.

Studies of previous pandemics indicate that healthcare workers have a high risk of developing symptoms related to mental health, especially depression, anxiety, and stress.

To identify mental disorder symptoms among Brazilian healthcare workers during the Sars-Cov-2 pandemic and compare findings in different work categories.

This was an online cross-sectional study. Information related to the pandemic and mental disorder symptoms was collected. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale and the Impact of Event Scale-revised were used. Associations were estimated by the chi-square test. The mean scores were compared among work categories with ANOVA (α = 5%) and the prevalence of symptoms was estimated.

1,609 healthcare workers participated in the survey [mean age 36.9 (SD = 11.6) years, women = 83.6%]. There was no association between work category and changes in mental health during the pandemic (p = 0.288) or prevalence of unsafe feeling (p = 0.218). A significant relationship was observed between mai on gathering information that can identify workers at increased risk of mental illness to guide discussions and develop actions to minimize the harm of the pandemic. In addition, we suggest that healthcare and support systems urgently adopt mental health care measures with specialized professionals to protect the psychological well-being of the healthcare community.

Extreme changes in the work routine of dentists and psychologists and an overall high prevalence of mental symptoms due to the pandemic were found. Researchers should focus on gathering information that can identify workers at increased risk of mental illness to guide discussions and develop actions to minimize the harm of the pandemic. In addition, we suggest that healthcare and support systems urgently adopt mental health care measures with specialized professionals to protect the psychological well-being of the healthcare community.Seven novel tailed lytic viruses (Ds3CZ, Ds5CZ, Ds9CZ, Ds16CZ, Ds20CZ, Ds23CZ, Ds25CZ) infecting the bacterium Dickeya solani were isolated in the Czech Republic. Genomes of these viruses are dsDNA, 149,364 to 155,285 bp in length, and the genome arrangement is very similar to that of the type virus Dickeya virus LIMEstone 1. All but the Ds25CZ virus should be regarded as strains of a single species. Most of the sequence differences are due to the presence or absence of homing endonuclease (HE) genes, with 23 HEs found in Ds3CZ, Ds5CZ, and Ds20CZ, 22 in Ds9CZ, 19 in Ds16CZ, 18 in Ds25CZ, and 15 in Ds23CZ.Leaf litter and its breakdown products represent an important input of organic matter and nutrients to mangrove sediments and adjacent coastal ecosystems. It is commonly assumed that old-grown stands with mature trees contribute more to the permanent sediment organic matter pool than younger stands. However, neither are interspecific differences in leaf decay rates taken into account in this assumption nor is our understanding of the underlying mechanisms or drivers of differences in leaf chemistry sufficient. This study examines the influence of different plant species and ontogenetic stage on the microbial decay of mangrove leaf litter. A litterbag experiment was conducted in the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, Malaysia, to monitor leaf litter mass loss, and changes in leaf litter chemistry and microbial enzyme activity. Four mangrove species of different morphologies were selected, namely the trees Rhizophora apiculata and Bruguiera parviflora, the fern Acrostichum aureum and the shrub Acanthus ilicifolius.