Terapia intensiva picasso biography

Abstract

Background

Staphylococcus aureus is among the most common global nosocomial pathogens. The emergence and spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a public health problem worldwide that causes nosocomial and community infections. The goals of this study were to establish the clonal complexes (CC) of the isolates of MRSA obtained from pediatric patients in a university hospital in Colombia and to investigate its molecular characteristics based on the virulence genes and the genes of staphylococcal toxins and adhesins.

Methods

A total of 53 MRSA isolates from pediatric patients with local or systemic infections were collected. The MRSA isolates were typed based on the SCCmec, MLST, spa and agr genes. The molecular characterization included the detection of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin, superantigenic and exfoliative toxins, and adhesin genes. The correlation between the molecular types identified and the profile of virulence factors was determined for all isolates.

Results

Four CC were identified, including CC8, CC5, CC80 and CC78. The ST8-MRSA-IVc-agrI was the predominant clone among the isolates, followed by the ST5-MRSA-I-agrII and ST5-MRSA-IVc-agrII clones. Twelve spa types were identified, of which t10796 and t10799 were new repeat sequences. The isolates were carriers of toxin genes, and hlg (100%), sek (92%) and pvl (88%) were the most frequent. Ten toxin gene profiles were observed, and the most frequent were seq-sek-hlg (22.6%), sek-hlg (22.6%), seb-seq-sek-hlg (18.9%) and seb-sek-hlg (15.1%). The adhesion genes were present in most of the MRSA isolates, including the following: clf-A (89%), clf-B (87%), fnb-A (83%) and ica (83%). The majority of the strains carried SCCmec-IVc and were identified as causing nosocomial infection. No significant association between a molecular type and the virulence factors was found.

Conclusion

Four major MRSA clone complexes were identified among t

Francisco Almaraz (D.F., Mexico), better known as Pacasso or Doctor Netas, is a cartoonist, animator, and comedian. Known for his unique minimalist drawing style, he is a prominent figure in the realm of political cartoons in Mexican newspapers and animated series, especially Terapia Intensiva (Intensive Therapy) and Mario Netas.

Biography

Pacasso began his career in 1993 as a journalist with Grupo Reforma, engaging in news coverage, interviews, and reporting. During his leisure, he created vignettes that depicted his daily experiences. His persistence in the field led to the publication of his first cartoon.

He later joined the Metro newspaper, where in 2005, he started a comic strip that also became an animated series, "Mario Netas", produced for Reforma. This series was active until 2013 and was revived in 2019.

In 2009, Pacasso collaborated with Joaquín López-Dóriga on the news program to present "Intensive Therapy," a project co-created with his wife and partner Berenice Loaeza. This series humorously informed patients waking from comas about the latest events in Mexico and around the world.

2019 marked the release of his first book, "Stand Up Comic," a pioneering blend of stand-up comedy and comic strips, with a foreword by Víctor Trujillo.

In 2020, he joined LatinUS, reviving Terapia Intensiva and launching a new series, Giro Positivo (Positive Turn.) Since February 23, 2022, he has co-hosted "Humores Perros" with fellow cartoonist Juan Alarcón, focusing on humor and caricature.

A significant chapter in his career unfolded on October 13, 2022, when Pacasso announced his departure from Reforma newspaper after a 30-year collaboration, transitioning to an independent cartoonist.

Pacasso draws inspiration from a range of cartoonists, including Gabriel Vargas, Quino, Jim Davis, and Charles M. Schulz. He describes himself as a doodler, a term that reflects his simple