Revisiting the succession of microbial populations throughout composting: A matter of thermotolerance.

Composting has been traditionally considered a process in which a succession of mesophilic and thermophilic microbial populations occurs due to temperature changes. In order to deepen in this model, 1380 bacterial and fungal strains (the entire culturable microbiota isolated from a composting process) were investigated for their ability to grow across a wide range of temperatures (20 to 60 °C). First, qualitative tests were performed to establish a thermal profile for each strain. Then, quantitative tests allowed ascertaining the extent of growth for each strain at each of the tested temperatures. The identity of the isolates enabled to position them taxonomically and permitted tracking the strains throughout the process. Results showed that 90% of the isolates were classified as thermotolerant (they grew at all tested temperatures). Only 9% and 1% of the studied strains showed to be strictly mesophilic or thermophilic, respectively. Firmicutes exhibited the greatest thermal plasticity, followed by Actinobacteria and Ascomycota. Most of the Proteobacteria and all Basidiomycota strains were also able to grow at all the assayed temperatures. Thermotolerance was clearly demonstrated among the composting microbiota, suggesting that the idea of the succession of mesophilic and thermophilic populations throughout the process might need a reassessment.

Fate of petroleum hydrocarbons in bioturbated pristine sediments from Caleta Valdés (Patagonia Argentina): An ex situ bioassay.

Petroleum can pollute pristine shorelines as a consequence of accidental spills or chronic leaks. In this study, the fate of petroleum hydrocarbons in soft pristine sediment of Caleta Valdés (Argentina) subject to ex situ simulated oil pollution was assessed. Sedimentary columns were exposed to medium and high concentrations of Escalante Crude Oil (ECO) and incubated in the laboratory during 30 days. Levels of aliphatic hydrocarbons at different depths of the sedimentary column were determined by gas chromatography. Oil penetration was limited to the first three centimetres in both treatments, and under this depth, hydrocarbons were clearly biogenic (terrestrial plants) as in the whole sedimentary column of the control assay. Bioturbation by macrobenthic infauna was strongly impacted by oil pollution which resulted in reduced sediment oxygenation and low burial of petroleum hydrocarbons. This may partly explain the limited hydrocarbon biodegradation observed, as indicated by the relatively high values of the ratios nC17/pristane, nC18/phytane, and total resolved aliphatic hydrocarbons/unresolved complex mixture. Correspondingly, at the end of the experiment the most probable number of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria reached ~ 103 MPN g-1 dry weight. These values were lower than those found in chronically polluted coastal sediments, reflecting a low activity level of the oil-degrading community. The results highlight the low attenuation capacities of Caleta Valdés pristine sediments to recover its original characteristics in a short time period if an oil spill occurs. In this work, we present a novel and integrative tool to evaluate the fate of petroleum hydrocarbons and their potential damage on pristine sediments.

Remuneración estructura de contratos e incentivos a los recursos humanos en salud en Argentina / Human resources in health in Argentina wages contract and incentives

Hay incentivos monetarios y no monetarios que explican el comportamientodel profesional de la salud. Su desempeño se vincula con el interés por participaren una construcción colectiva, el nivel salarial, la estructura de contratos y elcrecimiento profesional. Así, el salario del profesional de la salud emerge defactores encadenados que requieren un abordaje conjunto.ObjetivosAnalizar la estructura de los salarios médicos en Argentina, sus mecanismos deremuneración e incentivos dentro del sistema público y los determinantes detales remuneraciones, dado el contexto descentralizado nacional.MétodosSe utilizaron varias técnicas de relevamiento de información: entrevistas adirectivos y encargados de recursos humanos, encuestas de elección múltiplea una muestra del personal médico, además de un análisis cuantitativo debase de datos de salarios médicos. El trabajo de campo se llevó a cabo encinco jurisdicciones de Argentina (CABA, Chaco, La Rioja, Neuquén y Salta). Seseleccionaron tres hospitales públicos por jurisdicción.ResultadosLa capacidad jurisdiccional en la definición de reglas de juego esextremadamente amplia, tanto en los modos de financiamiento de losrecursos humanos como en los arreglos contractuales y los niveles salariales.Pese a las marcadas diferencias entre jurisdicciones, se destacan algunosaspectos comunes: demanda sostenida de las instituciones por la inclusiónde pago vinculado con calidad o desempeño, falta de espacios federales decoordinación, marcada presencia de doble empleo, diferentes estrategias yobjetivos perseguidos por los actores clave como su poder de negociación,entre otros.ConclusionesLa temática de remuneraciones médicas en Argentina presenta una ampliariqueza de casos y particularidades por provincia, como así también deperspectivas alternativas de abordaje. Esto abre la puerta a un debate enconstrucción, donde la normativa, la economía y el derecho a la salud coexisteny se condicionan intensamente.

Edema palpebral bilateral asociado a crisis hipotiroidea / Bilateral Eyelid Swelling Associated With Acute Hypothyroidism

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[Cranioplasty after supratentorial decompressive craniectomy: when is the optimal timing]. / Kranioplastik nach supratentorieller dekompressiver Kraniektomie : Wann ist der Zeitpunkt optimal?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome and complication rates of different cranioplastic procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed 242 consecutive patients who underwent cranioplasty. The indications for craniectomy, the timing and materials employed for the cranial repair procedures were analysed in all patients as well as their early and long-term results. The immediate patient's outcome after cranioplasty was assessed by reviewing medical records and the late outcome was evaluated with a telephone questionnaire. The patients were divided into three groups depending on the timing of cranioplasty [ultra early group (until 6 weeks), early group (7-12 weeks) and delayed group (after 13 weeks following craniectomy)]. RESULTS: The ultra early cranioplasty in the form of reimplantation of the patient's own skull flap led to a rapid improvement of the patient's neurological function and late outcome. The analysis of the registered postoperative complications revealed that there were no significant differences between the groups examined. CONCLUSION: This study found that ultra early cranioplasty by reimplanting the patient's own previously removed and frozen skull bone was a safe and successful strategy.

Minimally invasive technique reduces secondary brain collapse following a frontal interhemispheric approach to midline tumors with accentuated brain shift phenomena.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of minimal invasive techniques (MIT) on secondary brain collapse (BC) following a frontal inter-hemispheric approach to midline tumors with accentuated preoperative brain shift phenomena. METHODS: We reviewed the results obtained in our department during the last 10 years in 24 treated patients with such tumors. Some of these patients underwent traditional surgical approaches using brain retractors (BR) and more recently alternative MIT including the creation of a narrow surgical corridor without brain retractors and the reinforcement and reinsertion from bridging veins. The patient's postoperative condition (consciousness recovery, respirator dependence, ICU-patient's stay and outcome) as well as the volume of the postoperative skull/brain space as a measurable indicator of BC and the ventricular index were assessed in all cases. All data were compared using the Chi square test, the 2-tailed Pearson correlation and t-test. RESULTS: 24 patients (11 operated with BR and 13 with MIT) were analyzed. The comparison between both techniques revealed a significant reduction of the postoperatively assessed skull/brain space (P<0.001), time for consciousness recovery (P<0.05), respirator dependence (P<0.001) and intensive care unit stay (P<0.005) for patients treated with MIT. A significant correlation was observed between radiological and clinical data (respirator dependence, consciousness recovery and ICU stay) from P<0.01, P<0.05 and P<0.01 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In our study MIT allow the patients to recover consciousness in a shorter period of time, reducing the needs for prolonged mechanical ventilation and ICU stay. In these patients, such clinical advantages are related with a radiologically assessed postoperative reduced brain collapse.

Occurrence, Prevalence, and Distribution of Viruses Infecting Peanut in Argentina.

This is the first survey to determine the occurrence, prevalence, and distribution of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) viral diseases in Argentina. It was conducted in the province of Córdoba, which has 92% of the country's peanut production. It included the main peanut viruses Peanut mottle virus (PeMoV), Peanut stripe virus (PStV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Peanut stunt virus (PSV), Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), and Groundnut ringspot virus (GRSV). Leaf samples from 1,028 individual peanut plants with virus-like symptoms and 986 samples from asymptomatic plants were collected in six counties of Córdoba over 3 years and serologically tested for the presence of viruses. PeMoV was the most frequently detected virus, found in 58.8, 34.2, and 23.4% of samples from the 2003-04, 2004-05, and 2005-06 growing seasons, respectively, and it was found in all sampled counties. Also, it was the only virus detected in asymptomatic plants. Less than 4% of symptomatic plants were infected with CMV or GRSV; 0.5, 3.6, and 2% of samples were positive for CMV; and 0.5, 3.1, and 1.6% were positive for GRSV in the 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons, respectively. Some mixed infections were found: CMV-PeMoV and GRSV-PeMoV. During this survey, PSV, PStV, and TSWV were not detected in any peanut samples.

Biodegradation pattern of hydrocarbons from a fuel oil-type complex residue by an emulsifier-producing microbial consortium.

The biodegradation of a hazardous waste (bilge waste), a fuel oil-type complex residue from normal ship operations, was studied in a batch bioreactor using a microbial consortium in seawater medium. Experiments with initial concentrations of 0.18 and 0.53% (v/v) of bilge waste were carried out. In order to study the biodegradation kinetics, the mass of n-alkanes, resolved hydrocarbons and unresolved complex mixture (UCM) hydrocarbons were assessed by gas chromatography (GC). Emulsification was detected in both experiments, possibly linked to the n-alkanes depletion, with differences in emulsification start times and extents according to the initial hydrocarbon concentration. Both facts influenced the hydrocarbon biodegradation kinetics. A sequential biodegradation of n-alkanes and UMC was found for the higher hydrocarbon content. Being the former growth associated, while UCM biodegradation was a non-growing process showing enzymatic-type biodegradation kinetics. For the lower hydrocarbon concentration, simultaneous biodegradation of n-alkanes and UMC were found before emulsification. Nevertheless, certain UCM biodegradation was observed after the medium emulsification. According to the observed kinetics, three main types of hydrocarbons (n-alkanes, biodegradable UCM and recalcitrant UCM) were found adequate to represent the multicomponent substrate (bilge waste) for future modelling of the biodegradation process.

Biodegradation of bilge waste from Patagonia with an indigenous microbial community.

Oily residues that are generated in normal ship operation are considered hazardous wastes. A biodegradation assay with autochthonous microbiota of Bilge Waste Oily Phase (BWOP) was performed in a bioreactor under controlled conditions. Petroleum, diesel oil, and PAH degraders were isolated from bilge wastes. These bacteria belong to the genus Pseudomonas and are closely related to Pseudomonas stutzeri as shown by 16S rDNA phylogenetic analysis. The indigenous microbial community of the bilge waste was capable of biodegrading the BWOP (1% v/v) with biodegradation efficiencies of 70% for hexane extractable material (HEM), 68% for total hydrocarbons (TH) and 90% for total aromatics hydrocarbons (TA) in 14 days. Solid phase microextraction (SPME) was successfully applied to evaluate hydrocarbon evaporation in a control experiment and demonstrated a mass balance closure of 88%. The SPME and biodegradation results give useful information to improve and scale up the process for BWOP treatment.

Pericallosal aneurysm simulating corpus callosum tumour.

The MRI characteristics of an isolated subacute aneurysmal corpus callosum hematoma, without evidence of blood in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spaces or ventricles, have not been previously reported. This report highlights the difficulty of accurate diagnosis and treatment in a patient with an unusual ruptured pericallosal aneurysm simulating a corpus callosum tumour. Additionally we analyse the particular radiological configuration and appearance of blood products in this region.

Combined minimal invasive techniques in deep supratentorial intracerebral haematomas.

Minimal invasive techniques (MIT) like microscopy, stereotaxy, endoscopy and neuronavigation facilitate and improve neurosurgical results and reduce the operative trauma. We report the combined employment of these techniques and the results obtained in our department during the last 7 years in 95 consecutive patients with supratentorial deep located intracerebral haematomas (ICHs). Thirty-six deteriorating patients with deep ICHs under 30 cm (3) volume associated to intraventricular bleeding, were treated early (first 24 hours after bleeding) with neuronavigation guided stereotactic lysis, using multiplanar targets (1 to 3). Microsurgical clot aspiration through an enlarged burr-hole was frequently combined with endoscope- or neuronavigation-assisted evacuation within the first 6 hours after bleeding for the rest of the deteriorating patients with ICHs larger than 30 cm (3). A 1.2 cm narrow surgical corridor assured the least injury to vital cortical areas, tracts and blood vessels. In 86 cases the clots were adequately removed (non-measurable rest) with a reduced morbid mortality (13.8 and 8.6 as well as 23.3 and 16.9 for stereotactic and microscopic MIT, respectively). In our experience, the use of combined MIT adapted to the surgical urgency of the individual patient reduces the operative trauma and improves the accuracy for the access to the clot allowing an adequate haematoma evacuation and a satisfactory outcome in most of the cases.

Minimal invasive neurosurgery of infiltrative tumours extending around the sellar region: advantage of combined methods.

Most of the infiltrative tumoural lesions located around the sellar region compromise the cavernous sinus, cranial nerves, vascular neighboured structures and the hypothalamus. Minimal invasive neurosurgery (MIN) employing microsurgery, neuroendoscopy, neuronavigation and intraoperative radioscopy are reported to increase gross total tumour resection reducing the operative trauma. We combined at least 3 of these techniques in 32 patients with solid and 8 patients with cystic tumours of this region. Thirty tumours were approached in a transphenoidal manner, ten were via a single burr hole craniotomy in a transcortico-ventricular approach. In 36 cases the tumours were adequately removed with only six cases suffering a transitory and one with a permanent deterioration of a preoperatively diagnosed neurological deficit. In our experience, the use of combined techniques, particularly in these patients, reduces the operative trauma and improves the accuracy in planning the access, angle and extension of tumour removal. It also protects the patient from secondary damage to neighboured structures.

Risk of intraoperative aneurysm clip slippage: a new experience with titanium clips.

Slippage of an aneurysm clip as a result of insufficient clip-closing force cannot be predicted, even when using force-testing devices. Descriptions of intraoperative clip slippages are rarely found in the literature. The authors summarize four unusual cases in which titanium aneurysm clips slipped by a scissorslike mechanism during surgery. They analyze the possible factors implicated in such a dangerous situation and discuss corrective choices.

Poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage patients: the use of nimodipine and other optional treatments.

The use of calcium antagonists has been advocated as decreasing morbidity and mortality in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) following aneurysm rupture. Results reported from open or placebo-controlled studies show a wide variation with regard to outcome. The immediate clipping of an aneurysm as soon as diagnosed accompanied or not by removal of expansive hematomas, drainage of CSF obstructions, decompressive craniectomy and the employment of individual variation in the critical intensive care schema, may eventually influence the outcome of patients in a bad clinical condition (Hunt and Hess Grade IV and V). The aim of this paper is to analyze which patients should profit from a differential treatment on a literature review and own experience-based data.