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Eduardo Hernández-GarduñoResearch Unit, State Oncology Centre, Social Security Institute of the State of Mexico and Municipalities (ISSEMyM), Toluca, State of Mexico, MexicoHuang et al conducted a meta-analysis of published studies on various aspects of association between vitamin D and tuberculosis (TB).1 The study concluded that vitamin D deficiency (VDD) was associated with higher risk of TB. However, low body mass index (BMI), a well-recognized and a stronger risk factor of TB than VDD, was not mentioned in this review nor was it accounted for in the multivariable analysis in the majority of case–control studies included in the meta-analysis exploring the association between TB and VDD. Vitamin D levels are likely to be positively correlated with weight/BMI. Infected people who are underweight by $15%, 10%–14% and 5%–9% are at increased risk of progression to TB disease with 2.6, 2.0 and 2.2 cases per 1,000 person-year, respectively.2 Contradictory results were found in the few studies of this meta-analysis1 that considered weight/BMI in the multivariable analysis. One study showed a weak association between VDD and TB (odds ratio: 1.07, 95% confidence interval 1.01–8.52) but only in men.3 Another study found no such association.4View the original paper by Huang and colleagues.

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Several studies exist on the hydrophobicity of different strains of Candida albicans, but little is known about the hydrophobic characteristics of Candida parapsilosis, despite the fact that this species is becoming an important pathogen. This study shows that a large number of strains of C. parapsilosis do not exhibit the general hydrophobic behaviour of other species of candida under the same incubation temperatures. Various experimental assays were employed to discern the hydrophobic characteristics of the different strains studied. Adhesion to p-xylene did not present differences between the high hydrophobicity of C. parapsilosis 294 cultured at 22 and 37 °C (the percentage of adhesion to p-xylene was near to 100% in both cases), while water contact angle showed this strain to be more hydrophobic at the highest growth temperature (ϑW(37 °C)=50°; ϑW(22 °C)=38°) with a good correlation to the increase of the adhesion to hexadecane and chloroform in this case. These methods revealed the same hydrophilic character of C. parapsilosis 289 (ϑW(37 °C)=22°; ϑW(22 °C)=26°), and this was also reflected in the low adhesion to both solvents. A thermodynamical analysis based on interfacial interaction free energies was applied to the adhesion of yeasts to hexadecane and chloroform. The relative intensity of the yeast–water–solvent interaction free energy against solvent–water–solvent interaction free energy is presented as a useful relation to predict the adherence of the cells, and gave good results for the most hydrophobic strain 294 at both culture temperatures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The present review aimed at a broad investigation on the potential of powered as compared to manual toothbrushes in different aspects of clinical dentistry. Studies evaluating plaque and gingival inflammatory parameters were included, as well as those that investigated adverse effects. Emphasis was given separately to adults, youngsters, special-needs patients, and those under fixed orthodontic therapy. In general, comparisons favored powered toothbrushes. In summary, approximately 68% of the included studies, in terms of plaque/gingival inflammation in adults, presented better results for powered toothbrushes. In children and special-needs populations, approximately 40% of the included studies favored powered toothbrushes for plaque/gingival inflammation, and none favored manual ones. In orthodontic individuals, 50% of the studies also demonstrated a better effect of powered toothbrushes on plaque and gingival inflammation. All included studies that assessed adverse events did not demonstrate a difference in these effects when comparing manual vs. powered toothbrushes. It is concluded that the use of powered toothbrushes is an opportunity to enhance patterns of plaque control and associated gingival inflammation., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Cassiano Kuchenbecker Rösing et al.)

The ascomycetous yeast Kazachstania humilis is an active species in backslopped sourdough and in the spontaneous fermentation of several traditional foods and beverages. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of a K. humilis strain isolated from agave must from a traditional distillery in Mexico.

Context: Previous studies have shown that diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor of some type-specific cancers. However, no data are available on the association between cancer and DM in Latin America., Aims: The aim of this study is to determine which type-specific cancers are associated with DM using multiple cause of death data., Settings and Design: Whole country of Mexico, cross-sectional design., Materials and Methods: Analysis of all cancer deaths (2009-2017) using death certificate databases of Mexican adults aged ≥20 years., Statistical Analysis Used: Multivariable logistic regression., Results: There were 710,292 total cancer deaths. DM increased the risk of pancreatic (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.7), liver (aOR = 1.6), kidney (aOR = 1.4), gallbladder (aOR = 1.2) and endometrial (aOR = 1.1) cancers, all P < 0.05. Type 2 or unknown-type DM were associated with the same cancer types with little variation of estimates. Higher estimates were found in males than females (except for kidney cancer). Type 1 DM was associated with pancreatic cancer only (aOR = 1.9)., Conclusions: DM in Mexico is associated with gastrointestinal (pancreatic, liver, gallbladder), kidney and endometrial cancers. Dissemination of knowledge to both health-care workers and diabetics regarding potential cancer risks including adequate diet, regular exercise, weight reduction if obese/overweight, cessation of smoking, and good glucose control and medication compliance should be reinforced. Specific cancer preventative measures should be implemented for patients with DM., Competing Interests: None

The quality of a 3D map produced by the single-particle analysis method is highly dependent on an accurate assignment of orientations to the many experimental images. However, the problem's complexity implies the presence of several local minima in the optimized goal functions. Consequently, validation methods to confirm the angular assignment are very useful to yield higher-resolution 3D maps. In this work, we present a graph-signal-processing-based methodology that analyzes the correlation landscape as a function of the orientation, an approach allowing the estimation of the assigned orientations' reliability. Using this method, we may identify low-reliability images that probably incorrectly contribute to the final 3D reconstruction., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Safety studies are essential in drug development. This study evaluates the safety of Amphotericin A21 (AmB-A21), a derivative of amphotericin B with antifungal therapeutic potential. We performed a chronic toxicity study, a targeted organ study and a dermal irritation test. To evaluate chronic toxicity, 18 male adult rats were treated orally with AmB-21 (2 mg/kg) for 26 weeks. The effects on body-weight and animal health were measured, and haematological, clinical chemistry and histopathological tests were conducted on various organs. In the target organ toxicity study, male adult rats received a daily oral dose of AmB-21 (2 mg/kg) for 6 and 17 weeks; testicle histology and testosterone levels were then evaluated. For the dermal irritation study, AmB-21 (200 and 1000 mg/kg) was placed on the skin of adult male rabbits; macroscopic and microscopic studies, as well as haematological and clinical chemistry tests were then conducted. The chronic toxicity study revealed that AmB-21 caused testicle damage, and the testicle-targeted study showed structural alterations and changes in testosterone levels at 17 weeks. However, these alterations were no longer observed 8 weeks after discontinuation of treatment, and the testes showed very similar characteristics to those in the control group. The dermal irritation study showed skin thickening and reddening in rabbits treated with 2000 mg of AmB-A21 after 14 days of exposure. This same group also showed changes in liver enzymes, renal parameters and platelet levels. Based on our results, we consider AmB-21 to be a potential candidate for safe, long-term antifungal treatment given its reduced side effects., (© 2021 Nordic Association for the Publication of BCPT (former Nordic Pharmacological Society). Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Some comorbidities are risk factors for severe coronavirus disease (Covid-19) but it is unknown whether some increase susceptibility to Covid-19 in children. In this Mexican case-control study, contact with patients with Covid-19, or having obesity, or having diabetes, or hypertension or been immunosuppressed independently increased the risk for Covid-19 in the whole sample analysis. However, only contact history and obesity remained statistically significant in the separated analysis of girls and boys. The results suggest that obesity is not only associated with severe disease but also increases risk for Covid-19. Contrary to findings in adults, no difference between cases and controls was found for gender, presence of pneumonia or surrogates of severe disease including admission to intensive care unit, tracheal intubation or whether patient had died. This indicates that Covid-19 is less severe in children than adults. Future research is needed to establish the mechanisms involved in obesity and Covid-19 in children., (© 2020 World Obesity Federation.)

Periplasmic oligopeptide binding protein (OppA) is part of a multimeric cytoplasmic membrane protein complex, whose function is known as peptide transporters found in Gram-negative bacteria. A chaperone-like activity has been found for the OppA from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, using biochemical experiments. Through computational analysis, we selected two amino acid residues (R41 and D42) that probably are involved in the chaperone-like activity. Our results to corroborate how OppA assists refolding and renaturation of lactate dehydrogenase and alpha-glucosidase denatured enzymes.

Some comorbidities are associated with severe coronavirus disease (Covid-19) but it is unclear whether some increase susceptibility to Covid-19. In this case-control Mexican study we found that obesity represents the strongest predictor for Covid-19 followed by diabetes and hypertension in both sexes and chronic renal failure in females only. Active smoking was associated with decreased odds of Covid-19. These findings indicate that these comorbidities are not only associated with severity of disease but also predispose for getting Covid-19. Future research is needed to establish the mechanisms involved in each comorbidity and the apparent "protective" effect of cigarette smoking., (Copyright © 2020 Asia Oceania Association for the Study of Obesity. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)