is an important opportunistic pathogen that commonly causes nosocomial infections and contributes to substantial morbidity and mortality. We sought to investigate the antibiotic resistance profile, ...pathogenic potential and the clonal relationships between
(
= 25) isolated from patients and sources at a tertiary care hospital's intensive care units (ICUs) in the northern region of Brazil. Most of
isolates (
= 21, 84%) were classified as multidrug resistant (MDR) with high-level resistance to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, quinolones, tigecycline, and colistin. All the 25 isolates presented extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing (ESBL), including carbapenemase producers, and carried the
(100%),
(100%),
variants (
= 24, 96%),
group (
= 21, 84%) and
group (
= 18, 72%) genes. The K2 serotype was found in 4% (
= 1) of the isolates, and the K1 was not detected. The virulence-associated genes found among the 25 isolates were
D (
= 24, 96%),
H-1 (
= 22, 88%),
B (100%),
A (
= 10, 40%),
S (
= 15, 60%). The genes related with efflux pumps and outer membrane porins found were
(100%),
C (
= 24, 96%),
K (
= 22, 88%),
K35 (
= 15, 60%), and
K36 (
= 7, 28%). ERIC-PCR was employed to determine the clonal relationship between the different isolated strains. The obtained ERIC-PCR patterns revealed that the similarity between isolates was above 70%. To determine the sequence types (STs) a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) assay was used. The results indicated the presence of high-risk international clones among the isolates. In our study, the wide variety of MDR
harboring β-lactams and virulence genes strongly suggest a necessity for the implementation of effective strategies to prevent and control the spread of antibiotic resistant infections.
It is crucial to monitor the levels of Non-Ionizing Radiation (NIR) to which the general population may be exposed and compare them to the limits defined in the current standards, in view of the ...rapid rise of communication services and the prospects of a connected society. A high number of people visits shopping malls and since these locations usually have several indoor antennas close to the public, it is therefore a kind of place that must be evaluated. Thus, this work presents measurements of the electric field in a shopping mall located in Natal, Brazil. We proposed a set of six measurement points, following two criteria: places with great the flow of people and the presence of one or more Distributed Antenna System (DAS), co-sited or not with WiFi access points. Results are presented and discussed in terms of the distance to DAS (conditions: near and far) and flow density of people in the mall (scenarios: low and high number of people). The highest peaks of electric field measured were 1.96 and 3.26 V/m, respectively corresponding to 5% and 8% of the limits defined by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the Brazilian National Telecommunication Agency (ANATEL).
Background
Dermatomycoses are superficial fungal infections of the skin, hair and nails that affect more than 20–25% of the people worldwide. These infections can be caused by yeasts, dermatophytes ...and non‐dermatophyte filamentous fungi (NDFF) and are considered a public health problem. Despite this, few studies have investigated the prevalence and antifungal susceptibility of causative agents of dermatomycoses in the developing world.
Objectives
The aims of this study were to identify and determine the antifungal susceptibility profile of yeast and filamentous fungi isolated from dermatomycoses in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Methods
Specimens were obtained from patients with clinically diagnosed and laboratory confirmed dermatomycosis between July 2009 and July 2011. Fungal identification was based on classical methods and antifungal susceptibility testing was performed by broth microdilution method.
Results
Of the 216 fungal isolates, 116 (53.8%) were yeasts, 70 (32.4%) dermatophytes and 30 (13.8%) NDFF. Onychomycosis was the most common clinical condition. Candida parapsilosis (24.1%) and Trichophyton rubrum (17.1%) were the fungi most frequently isolated. Voriconazole, ketoconazole and itraconazole were the most potent antifungal agents against yeast, whereas terbinafine, voriconazole and itraconazole had a high in vitro activity against dermatophytes. Overall, the antifungal agents had little or no activity against NDFF and the highest minimum inhibitory concentrations were those against Fusarium spp.
Conclusion
Yeasts, particularly C. parapsilosis, play an important role as causative agents of dermatomycosis in our region. Our results suggest that the antifungal susceptibility testing coupled with proper identification of the fungi may be useful to assist clinicians in determining the appropriate therapy for dermatomycoses.
Plastic pollution is generated by the unsustainable use and disposal of plastic products in modern society, threatening economies, ecosystems, and human health. Current clean-up strategies have ...attempted to mitigate the negative effects of plastic pollution but are unable to compete with increasing quantities of plastic entering the environment. Thus, reducing inputs of plastic to the environment must be prioritized through a global multidisciplinary approach. Mismanaged waste is a major land-based source of plastic pollution that can be reduced through improvements in the life-cycle of plastics, especially in production, consumption, and disposal, through an Integrated Waste Management System. In this review paper, we discuss current practices to improve life cycle and waste management of plastics that can be implemented to reduce health and environmental impacts of plastics and reduce plastics pollution. Ten recommendations for stakeholders to reduce plastic pollution include (1) regulation of production and consumption; (2) eco-design; (3) increasing the demand for recycled plastics; (4) reducing the use of plastics; (5) use of renewable energy for recycling; (6) extended producer responsibility over waste; (7) improvements in waste collection systems; (8) prioritization of recycling; (9) use of bio-based and biodegradable plastics; and (10) improvement in recyclability of e-waste.
Central nervous system disorders such as anxiety, depression and epilepsy are characterized by sharing several molecular mechanisms in common and the involvement of the L-arginine/NO pathway in ...neurobehavioral studies with β-caryophyllene is still little discussed.
One of the objectives of the present study was to demonstrate the anxiolytic behavioral effect of β-caryophyllene (β-CBP) in female Swiss mice, as well as to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the results obtained.
This study evaluated the neurobehavioral effects of β-CBP using the open field test, rota- rod test, elevated plus maze test, novelty suppressed feeding test, tail suspension test and forced swim test, as well as pilocarpine, pentylenetetrazole and isoniazid-induced epileptic seizure models.
The results demonstrated that the neuropharmacological activities of β-CBP may involve benzodiazepine/GABAergic receptors, since the pre-treatment of β-CBP (200 mg/kg) associated with flumazenil (5 mg/kg, benzodiazepine receptor antagonist) and bicuculline (1 mg/kg, selective GABAA receptor antagonist) reestablished the anxiety parameters in the elevated plus-maze test, as well as the results of reduced latency to consume food in the novelty suppressed feeding test. In addition to benzodiazepine/GABAergic receptors, the neuropharmacological properties of β-CBP may be related to inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis, since pre-treatment with L-arginine (500-750 mg/kg) reversed significantly the anxiolytic, antidepressant and anticonvulsant activities of β-CBP.
The results obtained provide additional support in understanding the neuromolecular mechanisms underlying the anxiolytic, antidepressant and anticonvulsive properties of β-CBP in female Swiss mice.
Boron in Prebiological Evolution Franco, Ana; Silva, José Armando L.
Angewandte Chemie (International ed.),
May 3, 2021, Letnik:
60, Številka:
19
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Boron(III), as borate (or boric acid), mediates the synthesis of ribose, ribonucleosides, and ribonucleotides. These reactions are carried out under moderate temperatures (typically 70–95 °C) with ...organic molecules (or their derivatives) detected in interstellar space and inorganic ions found in minerals on Earth (and could occur during early stages of prebiotic evolution). Research in this century suggests that borate was a relevant prebiological reagent, thus reinforcing the RNA world hypothesis as an explanation for the origin of life. Herein, these developments on prebiological chemistry related to boron species are reviewed.
Research suggests that borate could have mediated the prebiotic synthesis of RNA precursors (ribose, ribonucleosides, and ribonucleotides) in reactions relevant for the origin of life. This minireview provides an overview of recent developments in prebiological chemistry related to boron species.
Aim
To characterize plasma cell subsets in chronic periapical lesions affecting permanent and primary teeth.
Methodology
Only chronic periapical lesions without root canal treatment were selected. ...Twenty‐one radicular cysts and 7 periapical granulomas affecting permanent teeth and 19 radicular cysts and 4 periapical granulomas affecting primary teeth were assessed for immunoglobulin (Ig) light chain (kappa and lambda), Ig heavy chain (IgG, IgG4, IgA, IgM and IgD) and plasma cell immunohistochemical markers (MUM1/IRF4, EMA and CD138). The data acquired were analysed by Student’s t test, Mann–Whitney U, Friedman test followed by Dunn's multiple comparison test and Spearman’s rank correlation.
Results
All cases were polyclonal (having similar kappa/lambda light chain ratios). IgG was most abundant compared to other Ig heavy chains (all, P < 0.001); like Ig light chains, but unlike IgA, there was greater expression of IgG in the primary compared to the permanent dentition, for both radicular cysts (P < 0.001) and periapical granulomas (P = 0.53). Notably, IgG4 expression was greater in the permanent than the primary dentition, for both radicular cyst (P < 0.05) and periapical granuloma (P = 0.65). IgM and IgD expression was scarce and variable, whereas plasma cell populations were detected efficiently through EMA, CD138 and MUM1/IRF4 markers, the latter being more sensitive in both dentitions.
Conclusions
There were slight variations in the Ig light and heavy chain profiles in chronic periapical lesions when comparing the permanent and primary dentitions. The ability of IgG4+ plasma cell infiltration to modulate inflammatory responses in chronic periapical lesions arising from permanent as opposed to primary teeth should be considered in future studies.
The graph shows the action of zeolite on the NAA heavy water. Display omitted
Square 1 - zeolite with sodium promotes ion exchange of calcium and magnesium present in water hard. ► Square 2 - water ...free of calcium and magnesium captured by zeolite. ► Square 3 - calcium and magnesium present in hard water withheld in the sites of adsorption.
Zeolite 4A (LTA) has been successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method, where kaolin was used as silica and alumina source. The synthesized zeolite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser granulometry, and FTIR spectroscopy. XRD data from the Rietveld refinement method confirmed only one crystallographic phase. Zeolite A morphology was observed by SEM analysis, and it showed well-defined crystals with slightly different sizes but with the same cubic shape. Particle size distribution of the crystals was confirmed by laser granulometry, whereas FTIR spectroscopy revealed significant structural differences between the starting material and the final zeolite product used as water softener.
This paper applies finite control set model predictive control (FCS-MPC) for dynamic reactive power compensation using a hybrid active power filter (HAPF). The FCS-MPC uses a model based on ...LCL-filter equations to predict the system behavior and optimize the control action. In fact, the application of FCS-MPC in grid-connected converters with LCL-Filter is quite recent. This algorithm is a very promising control technique for power electronics converters and its use for reactive power control of hybrid filter has not been reported in the literature yet. This paper uses the FCS-MPC in a multivariable structure along with an adaptive notch filter to damp resonance. The main purpose is to improve the dynamic response of the HAPF. Simulation as well as practical results prove the feasibility of FCS-MPC application in HAPF reactive power control. The dynamic response of the equipment was significantly improved and represents the main contribution of this paper. As a result, the FCS-MPC allows tracking fluctuations and abrupt changes in load reactive power.
Continuing interest and more developments in recent years indicated that it would be useful to update Banea and da Silva paper entitled “Adhesively bonded joints in composite materials: an overview”. ...This paper presents an updated review of adhesively bonded joints in composite materials, which covers articles published from 2009 to 2016. The main parameters that affect the performance of bonded joints such as surface treatment, joint configuration, geometric and material parameters, failure mode etc. are discussed. The environmental factors such as pre-bond moisture, moisture and temperature are also discussed in detail and how they affect the durability of adhesive joints. Lots of shortcomings were resolved during the last years by developing new materials, new methods and models. However, there is still a potential to evaluate and identify the best possible combination of parameters which would give the best performance of composite bonded joints.
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