Adsorption Properties of ß- and Hydroxypropyl-ß-Cyclodextrins Cross-Linked with Epichlorohydrin in Aqueous Solution. A Sustainable Recycling Strategy in Textile Dyeing Process.

ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) and hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HP-ß-CD) were used to prepare insoluble polymers using epichlorohydrin as a cross-linking agent and the azo dye Direct Red 83:1 was used as target adsorbate. The preliminary study related to adsorbent dosage, pH, agitation or dye concentration allowed us to select the best conditions to carry out the rest of experiments. The kinetics was evaluated by Elovich, pseudo first order, pseudo second order, and intra-particle diffusion models. The results indicated that the pseudo second order model presented the best fit to the experimental data, indicating that chemisorption is controlling the process. The results were also evaluated by Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin isotherms. According to the determination coefficient (R²), Freunlich gave the best results, which indicates that the adsorption process is happening on heterogeneous surfaces. One interesting parameter obtained from Langmuir isotherm is qmax (maximum adsorption capacity). This value was six times higher when a ß-CDs-EPI polymer was employed. The cross-linked polymers were fully characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Also, morphology and particle size distribution were both assessed. Under optimized conditions, the ß-CDs-EPI polymer seems to be a useful device for removing Direct Red 83:1 (close 90%), from aqueous solutions and industrial effluents. Complementarily, non-adsorbed dye was photolyzed by a pulsed light driven advanced oxidation process. The proposed methodology is environmental and economically advantageous, considering the point of view of a sustainable recycling economy in the textile dyeing process.

An enzymatic system for decolorization of wastewater dyes using immobilized CueO laccase-like multicopper oxidase on poly-3-hydroxybutyrate.

The presence of synthetic dyes in wastewaters generated by the textile industry constitutes a serious environmental and health problem that urges the scientific community on an appropriate action. As a proof-of-concept, we have developed a novel approach to design enzymatic bioreactors with the ability to decolorize dye solutions through the immobilization of the bacterial CueO laccase-like multicopper oxidase from Escherichia coli on polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) beads by making use of the BioF affinity tag. The decolorization efficiency of the system was characterized by a series of parameters, namely maximum enzyme adsorption capacity, pH profile, kinetic constants, substrate range, temperature and bioreactor recycling. Depending on the tested dye, immobilization increased the catalytic activity of CueO by up to 40-fold with respect to the soluble enzyme, reaching decolorization efficiencies of 45-90%. Our results indicate that oxidase bioreactors based on polyhydroxyalkanoates are a promising alternative for the treatment of coloured industrial wastewaters.

A cluster of KPC-2 and VIM-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST833 isolates from the pediatric service of a Venezuelan Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a bacterial pathogen that has developed resistance to multiple antibiotics and is a major cause of nosocomial infections worldwide. Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae have been isolated in many hospitals in Venezuela, but they have not been well-studied. The aim of this study was to characterize carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from the pediatric service of a hospital located in Anzoategui State, in the eastern part of Venezuela. METHODS: Nineteen Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated in the hospital from April to July 2014 were evaluated phenotypically and molecularly for the presence of carbapenemases blaKPC, blaIMP and blaVIM. Molecular epidemiology was performed with Repetitive Extragenic Palindromic-PCR (REP-PCR) and Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST). They were also studied for phenotypic and molecular resistance to a quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) disinfectant. RESULTS: All 19 isolates contained both bla VIM-2 and bla KPC-2 genes, and the bla KPC-2 gene was associated with Tn4401b. All isolates were phenotypically sensitive to QACs and contained qacΔE and addA2 genes typical of class 1 integrons. Analysis by REP-PCR and MLST showed that all isolates had identical profiles characteristic of sequence type ST833. CONCLUSION: All 19 strains are bla VIM-2 and bla KPC-2-producing ST833 K. pneumoniae sensitive to QACs. This analysis may help to understand the routes of dissemination and confirms that QAC disinfectants can be used to help control their spread.

Prevalence of and factors associated with homebound status among adults in urban and rural Spanish populations.

BACKGROUND: There is a marked growth in the number of homebound older adults, due mainly to increased life expectancy. Although this group has special characteristics and needs, it has not been properly studied. This study thus aimed to measure the prevalence of homebound status in a community-dwelling population, and its association with both socio-demographic, medical and functional characteristics and the use of health care and social services. METHODS: We used instruments coming under the WHO International Classification of Functioning (ICF) framework to carry out a cross-sectional study on populations aged 50 years and over in the province of Zaragoza (Spain), covering a total of 1622 participants. Persons who reported severe or extreme difficulty in getting out of the house in the last 30 days were deemed to be homebound. We studied associations between homebound status and several relevant variables in a group of 790 subjects who tested positive to the WHODAS-12 disability screening tool. RESULTS: Prevalence of homebound status was 9.8 % (95 % CI: 8.4 to 11.3 %). Homebound participants tended to be older, female and display a lower educational level, a higher number of diseases, poorer cognition and a higher degree of disability. In fully adjusted models including disability as measured with the ICF-Checklist, the associated variables (odds ratios and [95 % confidence intervals]) were: female gender (3.75 [2.10-6.68]); urban population (2.36 [1.30-4.29]); WHODAS-12 disability (6.27 [2.56-15.40]); depressive symptoms (2.95 [1.86-4.68]); moderate pain (2.37 [1.30-4.31] and severe pain (3.03 [1.31-7.01]), as compared to the group with no/mild pain; hospital admissions in the previous 3 months (2.98 [1.25-7.11]); and diabetes (1.87 [1.03-3.41]). Adjustment for ICF-Checklist disability had a notable impact on most associations. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that homebound status is a common problem in our setting, and that being disabled is its main determinant. Socio-demographic characteristics, barriers and chronic diseases can also be assumed to be playing a role in the onset of this condition, indicating the need for further research, including longitudinal studies on its incidence and associated factors.

Producción científico-profesional española sobre discapacidad según el modelo CIF. Revisión de la literatura, 2001-2011 / Scientific-professional production on the ICF disability model in Spain. A literature review (2001-2010)

Objetivos: Cuantificar la utilización de la Clasificación Internacional del Funcionamiento, Discapacidad y Salud (CIF) en España a partir de publicaciones, y compararla con la de otros países europeos. Métodos: Revisión de la literatura relativa a publicaciones periódicas nacionales e internacionales con participación de investigadores españoles, desde mayo de 2001 hasta junio de 2010. Resultados: Se encontraron 47 publicaciones, con un incremento anual reciente de las de lengua inglesa. Predominaron las publicaciones periódicas teóricas (53,1%) y las especialidades de revistas de salud mental, rehabilitación y discapacidad, con medio o bajo factor de impacto. El 27,6% utilizan el instrumento WHODAS-II. Son más frecuentes los estudios en adultos con enfermedad mental. En relación a otros países europeos, y por referencias Medline, España ocupa el quinto lugar. Conclusiones: Esta revisión sugiere que la aplicación efectiva de la CIF en España es limitada, aunque rápidamente creciente la de carácter científico, referida sobre todo al marco conceptual y diagnóstico en distintos contextos clínicos, de rehabilitación y poblacionales, con escasa aplicación en servicios y una considerable incardinación internacional (AU)

Objectives: To quantify the use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in Spain on the basis of published reports, and to compare this use with that in other European countries. Methods: We reviewed the scientific literature published by, or with the participation of, authors having Spanish institutional affiliations in Spanish or international journals between May 2001 and June 2010. Results: A total of 47 papers were identified, with a recent annual increase in those published in English. There was a predominance of theoretical journals (53.1%) and those specializing in mental health, rehabilitation and disability, with a medium or low impact factor. The World Health Organization-Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS-II) was used in 27.6% of publications. Most studies addressed adult populations with mental illness. Spain ranked midway in the table of European countries (fifth by Medline references). Conclusions: This review suggests that the effective application of the ICF in Spain is limited but is increasing and is internationally co-ordinated. The main fields of application are theoretical and diagnostic, in various clinical, rehabilitation and population-based contexts and, to a much lesser extent, in health services (AU)

[Scientific-professional production on the ICF disability model in Spain. A literature review (2001-2010)]. / Producción científico-profesional Española sobre discapacidad según el modelo CIF. Revisión de la literatura, 2001-2011.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in Spain on the basis of published reports, and to compare this use with that in other European countries. METHODS: We reviewed the scientific literature published by, or with the participation of, authors having Spanish institutional affiliations in Spanish or international journals between May 2001 and June 2010. RESULTS: A total of 47 papers were identified, with a recent annual increase in those published in English. There was a predominance of theoretical journals (53.1%) and those specializing in mental health, rehabilitation and disability, with a medium or low impact factor. The World Health Organization-Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS-II) was used in 27.6% of publications. Most studies addressed adult populations with mental illness. Spain ranked midway in the table of European countries (fifth by Medline references). CONCLUSIONS: This review suggests that the effective application of the ICF in Spain is limited but is increasing and is internationally co-ordinated. The main fields of application are theoretical and diagnostic, in various clinical, rehabilitation and population-based contexts and, to a much lesser extent, in health services.

ICF-based disability survey in a rural population of adults and older adults living in Cinco Villas, Northeastern Spain: design, methods and population characteristics.

BACKGROUND: This article describes the methods of a door-to-door screening survey exploring the distribution of disability and its major determinants in northeastern Spain. This study will set the basis for the development of disability-related services for the rural elderly in northeastern Spain. METHODS: The probabilistic sample was composed of 1,354 de facto residents from a population of 12,784 Social Security card holders (age: > or = 50 years). Cognitive and disability screenings were conducted (period: June 2008-June 2009). Screening instruments were the MMSE and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule. Participants screened positive for disability underwent an assessment protocol focusing on primary care diagnoses, disability, lifestyle, and social and health service usage. Participants screened positive for cognitive functioning went through in-depth neurological evaluation. RESULTS: The study sample is described. Usable data were available for 1,216 participants. A total of 625 individuals (51.4%) scored within the positive range in the disability screening, while 135 (11.1%) scored within the positive range of the cognitive screening. The proportion of positively screened individuals was higher for women and increased with age. CONCLUSIONS: Screening surveys represent a feasible design for examining the distribution of disability and its determinants among the elderly. Data quality may benefit from methodological developments tailored to rural populations with a low education level.

Tipificación por electroforesis en campo eléctrico pulsado (PFGE) de cepas de Neisseria meningitidis, aisladas de un brote de infección meningoccócica en un fuerte militar en Caracas / Tipificacion for electroforesis in pressed electric field (PFGE) of stumps of neisseria isolated meningitidis of a bud of infection meningoccocica in a strong one military in Caracas

Neisseria meningitidis es el agente causal de la Enfermedad Meningocócica (EM). Entre los meses de agosto y noviembre de 1997 ocurrió un brote de EM en un fuerte militar en Caracas. Inicialmente, por las características epidemiológicas se pensó que podía ser debido a una única cepa. Para corroborar esta observación se realizó la caracterización genómica de los aislados de pacientes y portadores, por la técnica de Electroforesis en Campo Eléctrico Pulsado (PFGE). Tomando en cuenta los resultados de PFGE y el análisis por coordenadas principales, se pudo deducir que las cepas del serogrupo "C" con resistencia moderada a penicilina (CIM=0,25 mg/l) aisladas de los casos, están estrechamente relacionadas entre sí, pero no son un único clon. No se encontraron patrones relacionados entre las cepas del serogrupo "C" aisladas de casos y portadores. Entre los aislados del serogrupo "B" se encontró una relación más estrecha entre el caso y los portadores, pero tampoco son un único clon. Los marcadores genotípicos son muy útiles para la investigación entre aislados clínicos, suministran información sobre cepas patógenas y su diseminación en la población, permitiendo conocer en profundidad la epidemiología de las enfermedades infecciosas

Vibrio cholerae O1 en Venezuela 1997-1999: sensibilidad a los antibióticos / Vidrio cholerae 01 in Venezuela 1997-1999: sensitivity of antibiotics

El presente estudio reporta los resultados de la vigilancia de la sensibilidad antibióticos en 202 cepas de V.cholerae O1 aisladas en Venezuela, desde enero de 1997 hasta diciembre de 1999. Se muestran los registros de las primeras cepas con resistencia a algunos antibióticos en Venezuela (12,2 por ciento), cefotaxima (15,4 por ciento), ceftriaxona (3,2 por ciento) y tetraciclina (0,6 por ciento), las cuales fueron aisladas en el brote detectado en el estado Zulia y que expandió por 14 entidades federales en 1997. También se demuestra el surgimiento de multiresistencia a los antibióticos en cepas aisladas en un segundo brote que inició en el estado Delta Amacuro y se extendió a los estados Sucre, Nueva Esparta, Monagas, Anzoátegui y Miranda. Los aislamientos resultaron resistentes a la ampicilina, ampicilina-sulbactam, co-trimoxazol y al agente vibriostático 0129, permaneciendo sensibles al ácido nalidíxico, cefotaxima, cetriaxona, ciprofloxacina, cloranfenicol, doxiciclina, gentamicina, norfloxacina, tetraciclina y tobramicina. Posteriores estudios deberán realizarse para determinar los mecanismos genéticos para la adquisición de esta resistencia a antibióticos.

Identificación de cepas de neisseria meningitidis con sensibilidad disminuida a penicilina, aisladas a partir de líquido cefalorraquídeo de pacientes con meningitis en Venezuela / Identication of strains of neisseria meningitidis with moderately sensitive isolate penicilin to cerebroespinal fluid of patients with meningitis in Venezuela

Entre enero y abril de 1994 se recibieron en el Departamento de Bacteriología del Instituto Nacional de Higiene "Rafael Rangel" 12 cepas de Neisseria meningitidis. Las cepas fueron remitidas de diferentes centros de salud del área metropolitana de Caracas, Venezuela, aislada a partir del líquido cefalorraquídeo del paciente con enfermedad meningocócica. Las cepas fueron identificadas como N. meningitidis por métodos bacteriológico estándares, agrupadas serológicamente y estudiada su sensibilidad a antibióticos. De las 12 cepas estudiadas, 11 corresponden al grupo C y una al grupo B. Ninguna mostró actividad de betalactamasas. Las 11 cepas serogrupo C mostraron una concentración inhibitoria mínima de 0,12 a 0,25 µg/ml. Este estudio confirma por primera vez la presencia en Venezuela de cepas de N.meningitis con sensibilidad disminuida a penicilina