Neisseria gonorrhoeae subverts formin-dependent actin polymerization to colonize human macrophages

Dynamic reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton dictates plasma membrane morphogenesis and is frequently subverted by bacterial pathogens for entry and colonization of host cells. The human-adapted bacterial pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae can colonize and replicate when cultured with human macrophages, however the basic understanding of how this process occurs is incomplete. N. gonorrhoeae is the etiological agent of the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea and tissue resident macrophages are present in the urogenital mucosa, which is colonized by the bacteria. We uncovered that when gonococci colonize macrophages, they can establish an intracellular or a cell surface-associated niche that support bacterial replication independently. Unlike other intracellular bacterial pathogens, which enter host cells as single bacterium, establish an intracellular niche and then replicate, gonococci invade human macrophages as a colony. Individual diplococci are rapidly phagocytosed by macrophages and transported to lysosomes for degradation. However, we found that surface-associated gonococcal colonies of various sizes can invade macrophages by triggering actin skeleton rearrangement resulting in plasma membrane invaginations that slowly engulf the colony. The resulting intracellular membrane-bound organelle supports robust bacterial replication. The gonococci-occupied vacuoles evaded fusion with the endosomal compartment and were enveloped by a network of actin filaments. We demonstrate that gonococcal colonies invade macrophages via a process mechanistically distinct from phagocytosis that is regulated by the actin nucleating factor FMNL3 and is independent of the Arp2/3 complex. Our work provides insights into the gonococci life-cycle in association with human macrophages and defines key host determinants for macrophage colonization.

INFECÇÕES SEXUALMENTE TRANSMISSÍVEIS EM ADOLESCENTES: UMA REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA

Introdução: As infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST´s) estão acometendo cada vez mais a população adolescente. Entre os fatores responsáveis, é possível citar a diminuição da idade para início da vida sexual, não uso de preservativo e o aumento no número de parceria sexual. Alguns estudos relatam ainda a relação entre a violência e o risco para as IST´s. Objetivo: Avaliar a violência como fator de risco as infecções sexualmente transmissíveis em adolescentes. Materiais e métodos: A busca bibliográfica foi realizada nas bases de dados BVS, LILACS, PubMed e SciELO, a partir da estratégia PECO, na qual, P (população) é composta por adolescentes; E (exposição) à violência; C (comparação), não houve e, no O (outcomes ou desfecho), temos infecções ou doenças sexualmente transmissíveis. A partir disso, utilizou-se a seguinte estratégia de busca: ((adolescent OR teen OR child) AND (violence OR sex offenses OR exposure to violence OR child abuse OR violence against women OR gender-based violence OR domestic violence OR intimate partner violence)) AND (sexually transmitted infections OR sexually transmitted disease). Foram incluídos: estudos clínicos, estudos comparativos, teste clínico controlado, estudo multicêntrico, estudo observacional e ensaio clinico randomizado. A revisão sistemática foi registrada no PROSPERO sob o número CRD42021273079. Os revisores foram cegos e independentes durante as fases de seleção por títulos/resumos e leitura do artigo na íntegra. Resultados: Foram encontrados 502 artigos nas bases de dados selecionadas, destes 18 (duplicados) foram excluídos. Resultando em 484 artigos para triagem de títulos e resumos por 2 (duas) autoras, realizou-se o teste de KAPPA que apresentou um índice de concordância entre as autoras de 0,9, considerado excelente. Restando 78 artigos para leitura na integra. Considerações finais: Com o seguimento das próximas etapas do presente estudo, avaliaremos a violência como fator de risco para IST´s.

A Survey to Reduce STDs Infection in Mongolia and Big Data Virtualization Propagation

Sexually transmitted diseases refer to clinical syndromes and infections that are acquired and transmitted through sexual activity. Worldwide, more than 340 million cases of sexually transmitted disease occur each year, placing a great burden on individuals as well as communities and countries. The proportion of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Mongolia is relatively high due to their inadequate treatment technologies, religious or local customs, and regional differences. It is rather difficult to grasp the exact number of patients as these diseases are considered ones that should not be disclosed to others. Therefore, this study aims to accurately identify sexually transmitted diseases in Mongolia and reduce infection through an analytic approach of big data virtualization propagation.

Prevalence of Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis, Associated Risk Factors and Spatial Distribution in Spanish Beef Cattle Based on Veterinary Laboratory Database Records

Bovine genital campylobacteriosis (BGC) is a sexually transmitted disease that causes early reproductive failure in natural breeding cattle that are managed extensively. The aim of this study was to assess the BGC prevalence in Spain from 2011 to 2019 using data collected cross-sectionally from the diagnostic reports issued by the SALUVET veterinary diagnostic laboratory from a total of 5,182 breeding bulls from 1,950 herds managed under “dehesa” systems (large herds within fenced pastures and all-year breeding season) or mountain systems (smaller herds with seasonal breeding management and grazing in communal mountain pastures). Infection was detected by PCR in 7.7 and 12.2% of the bulls and herds tested, respectively. The “dehesa” herd management system (OR = 2.078, P = < 0.001, 95% CI = 1.55–1.77), bovine trichomonosis status of the herd (OR = 1.606, P = 0.004, 95% CI = 1.15–2.22), and bulls ≥3 years old (OR = 1.392, P = 0.04, 95% CI = 1.01–1.92) were identified as risk factors associated with Campylobacter fetus venerealis infection. We also studied the high-risk areas for circulation of the infection in extensive beef cattle herds in Spain, showing four significant clusters in “dehesa” areas in the south-western provinces of the country and a fifth cluster located in a mountain area in northern Spain. The results obtained in the present study indicate that BGC is endemic and widely distributed in Spanish beef herds. Specifically, “dehesa” herds are at greater risk for introduction of Cfv based on relatively high local prevalence of the infection and the use of specific management practices.

Failure to Eliminate Persistent Anaplasma marginale Infection from Cattle Using Labeled Doses of Chlortetracycline and Oxytetracycline Antimicrobials

Bovine anaplasmosis, caused by the intracellular rickettsial pathogen Anaplasma marginale, is the most prevalent tick-transmitted disease of cattle worldwide. In the U.S., tetracycline antimicrobials are commonly used to treat and control anaplasmosis. Oxytetracycline, administered by injection, is indicated for treatment of clinical anaplasmosis in beef and dairy cattle and calves. Chlortetracycline, administered orally, is indicated for control of active anaplasmosis infection in beef and nonlactating dairy cattle. Tetracyclines have been demonstrated to be effective for treating active anaplasmosis, but their ability to eliminate A. marginale at currently approved therapeutic doses or dosing regimens remains unclear. In the absence of approved dosing regimens for A. marginale clearance, a study was conducted to determine the effect of approved oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline indications on A. marginale bacteremia. Fifteen animals with persistent anaplasmosis were enrolled and divided into three treatment groups. Group 1 (n = 6) received oral chlortetracycline (1.1 mg/kg bodyweight) administered via hand-fed medicated feed for 60 consecutive days. Group 2 (n = 6) received injectable oxytetracycline administered subcutaneously at 19.8 mg/kg bodyweight three times in 3-week intervals. Group 3 (n = 3) served as an untreated control. After 60 days, bacteremia failed to permanently decrease in response to treatment. This result indicates that clearance of A. marginale is unlikely to be reliably achieved using currently approved tetracycline-based regimens to manage anaplasmosis.

Linguistic Negotiations of Sexual Agency in Sexuality Education

<p>The investigative aim of this thesis is to explore the role of language in the construction of sexuality agency during a classroom-based sexuality education programme for adolescents. The thesis begins with an examination of the motivations behind the study of agency in relation to sexuality. Overlapping research gaps in the fields of language and gender/sexuality and sexuality education are identified. Scholars from both fields have pinpointed difficulties with the accessing of agentive sexual subject positions by young people (particularly young women) during conversation. Investigations into sexuality education in New Zealand have suggested that ‘Discourses’ of sexuality in classrooms and broader school communities position students as ‘sexual’ while simultaneously constructing them as innocent and childlike (and thus non-sexual). These ‘large-D’ Discourses have been identified as possible reasons for a lack of decline in the rates of pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease amongst young people despite an overt focus on such topics in sexuality education. The theory is that because they have not developed a sense of agency in relation to sexuality, young people are ill-equipped to navigate the risks of sexual activity. A question which remains is exactly how sexual agency is negotiated through ‘small-d’ discourse (e.g. ‘talk’), by young people in classrooms. This study focuses on language usage during classroom discussions of sexuality in order to shed light on linguistic strategies that young people employ in order to position themselves (or not) as sexual agents during sexuality education, and how they respond to being similarly positioned, both by others and by their classroom resources. In order to gain an understanding of the working dynamics of the school and classroom, an ethnographic approach was employed. The researcher participated in classes for a period of time before the sexuality programme began inorder to observe relations between the participants, including the distribution of power amongst teacher and students. These observations were essential to comprehending the understandings that participants bring to the processes and activities under study. This approach also permitted the tracing of the emergence of a community of practice in this classroom. Through close attention to language via poststructuralist discourse analysis, it has been possible to demonstrate how interactants performatively lay claim to (or avoid) sexual agency in this community of practice. By actively participating in discussions of sexuality, the students, both boys and girls, experience being placed in sexually agentive subject positions. They respond in various ways; sometimes aligning, sometimes resisting, other times resignifying those positions in complex interactions of masculinity, femininity, desire, and sexual identity. Finally, the findings of this thesis are assembled in order to consider implications for the study of language and sexuality as well as considering the importance of discursive positionings (by teachers and classroom resources) for future student possibilities in terms of sexual agency development.</p>

Linguistic Negotiations of Sexual Agency in Sexuality Education

<p>The investigative aim of this thesis is to explore the role of language in the construction of sexuality agency during a classroom-based sexuality education programme for adolescents. The thesis begins with an examination of the motivations behind the study of agency in relation to sexuality. Overlapping research gaps in the fields of language and gender/sexuality and sexuality education are identified. Scholars from both fields have pinpointed difficulties with the accessing of agentive sexual subject positions by young people (particularly young women) during conversation. Investigations into sexuality education in New Zealand have suggested that ‘Discourses’ of sexuality in classrooms and broader school communities position students as ‘sexual’ while simultaneously constructing them as innocent and childlike (and thus non-sexual). These ‘large-D’ Discourses have been identified as possible reasons for a lack of decline in the rates of pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease amongst young people despite an overt focus on such topics in sexuality education. The theory is that because they have not developed a sense of agency in relation to sexuality, young people are ill-equipped to navigate the risks of sexual activity. A question which remains is exactly how sexual agency is negotiated through ‘small-d’ discourse (e.g. ‘talk’), by young people in classrooms. This study focuses on language usage during classroom discussions of sexuality in order to shed light on linguistic strategies that young people employ in order to position themselves (or not) as sexual agents during sexuality education, and how they respond to being similarly positioned, both by others and by their classroom resources. In order to gain an understanding of the working dynamics of the school and classroom, an ethnographic approach was employed. The researcher participated in classes for a period of time before the sexuality programme began inorder to observe relations between the participants, including the distribution of power amongst teacher and students. These observations were essential to comprehending the understandings that participants bring to the processes and activities under study. This approach also permitted the tracing of the emergence of a community of practice in this classroom. Through close attention to language via poststructuralist discourse analysis, it has been possible to demonstrate how interactants performatively lay claim to (or avoid) sexual agency in this community of practice. By actively participating in discussions of sexuality, the students, both boys and girls, experience being placed in sexually agentive subject positions. They respond in various ways; sometimes aligning, sometimes resisting, other times resignifying those positions in complex interactions of masculinity, femininity, desire, and sexual identity. Finally, the findings of this thesis are assembled in order to consider implications for the study of language and sexuality as well as considering the importance of discursive positionings (by teachers and classroom resources) for future student possibilities in terms of sexual agency development.</p>