Samples were seeded on specific media for enterococcal and E. coli recovery,

and 1 isolate of each type per sample was selected. Antimicrobial susceptibility and the presence of genes encoding antimicrobial resistance, bacteriocins, and virulence factors were checked by polymerase chain reaction.

Results. Enterococci or E. coli were not recovered from healthy volunteers. Nevertheless, 10 isolates (5 E. faecium, 3 E. faecalis, and 2 E. coli) were obtained from 19.5% of patients with fixed appliances, and poor oral hygiene was evidenced in all of the these patients. Percentages of antimicrobial resistance and the resistance genes Acalabrutinib detected among the enterococci small molecule library screening were: erythromycin: 100%, erm(B); kanamycin: 75%, aph(3′)-IIIa; tetracycline: 50%, tet(L) with/without tet(M); streptomycin: 37%, ant(6)-Ia; chloramphenicol: 12%, catA. One E. coli isolate showed a phenotype of multiresistance containing 5 resistance genes and class 1 and 2 integrons. All enterococci produced gelatinase, and 4 isolates contained genes encoding enterocins L50A/B and P. The esp virulence gene was found in 1 multiresistant E. faecalis isolate.

Conclusions. Poor or improper oral hygiene in individuals

with fixed appliances favors the oral carriage of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli and enterococci. Additional investigations are needed to assess its implication in human health. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2009; 108: 557-564)”
“The current obesity pandemic is expected to result in considerable downstream morbidity, mortality and incremental costs to health care systems around the world. The major metabolic complications of obesity – type 2 diabetes and the metabolic

syndrome – are predicted to be particularly burdensome. Recent randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that lifestyle interventions resulting in modest weight losses are efficacious in delaying or preventing the development of type 2 diabetes Akt inhibitor in high- risk individuals. However, on a practical level, obesity prevention strategies and programs in the ‘real world’ have demonstrated limited effectiveness for weight reduction. It is likely that the best that can be expected from current preventive strategies, which have largely focused on modifying individual behaviour, is the prevention of further weight gain. Environmental, social, psychological and economic drivers of the obesity epidemic have, until recently, been underappreciated and underemphasized as contributors to the current pandemic. Future efforts will need to focus on these factors and pansocietal solutions will be required if success in reversing the population-wide weight increases that have occurred over the past several decades is to be achieved.