Characterization of three predicted zinc exporters in identifies ZntR-ZntA as a powerful zinc and cadmium efflux system not required for virulence and unveils pathogenic Brucellae heterogeneity in zinc homeostasis.

causes non-zoonotic ovine brucellosis of worldwide distribution and is responsible for important economic losses mainly derived from male genital lesions and reproductive fails. Studies about the virulence mechanisms of this rough species (lacking lipopolysaccharide O-chains) are underrepresented when compared to the main zoonotic species that are smooth (with O-chains). Zinc intoxication constitutes a defense mechanism of the host against bacterial pathogens, which have developed efflux systems to counterbalance toxicity.

The Three Flagellar Loci of PA Are Dispensable for Virulence in Cellular Models and Mice.

is a facultative intracellular bacterium that causes a non-zoonotic ovine brucellosis mainly characterized by male genital lesions and is responsible for important economic losses in sheep farming areas. Studies about the virulence mechanisms of have been mostly performed with smooth (bearing O-polysaccharide in lipopolysaccharide) zoonotic species, and those performed with have revealed similarities but also relevant differences. Except for few strains recently isolated from unconventional hosts, species are non-motile but contain the genes required to assemble a flagellum, which are organized in three main loci of about 18.

Oral health in Alzheimer's disease: a multicenter case-control study.

Objectives: The aim of this case-control study was to carry out an oral health assessment on a group of Alzheimer's patients and to establish a hypothesis regarding the implication of the characteristics of the disease and the treatment of oral health.

Materials And Methods: A total of 70 Alzheimer's patients, residents at the Alzheimer Center Reina Sofia Foundation (Madrid, Spain) and at the Alzheimer State Reference Center (Salamanca, Spain), and 36 controls (companions/acquaintances), were studied by oral examination and saliva sampling. The oral health indices DMFT/DMFS, CPI, the prosthetic condition, oral hygiene, saliva volume, and pH, as well as the specific microbiological parameters governing the risk of developing caries were assessed.

Cave acoustics in prehistory: Exploring the association of Palaeolithic visual motifs and acoustic response.

During the 1980 s, acoustic studies of Upper Palaeolithic imagery in French caves-using the technology then available-suggested a relationship between acoustic response and the location of visual motifs. This paper presents an investigation, using modern acoustic measurement techniques, into such relationships within the caves of La Garma, Las Chimeneas, La Pasiega, El Castillo, and Tito Bustillo in Northern Spain. It addresses methodological issues concerning acoustic measurement at enclosed archaeological sites and outlines a general framework for extraction of acoustic features that may be used to support archaeological hypotheses.