A Novel Primer Mixture for GH48 Genes: Quantification and Identification of Truly Cellulolytic Bacteria in Biogas Fermenters.

Genomic studies revealed the glycoside hydrolases of family 48 (GH48) as a powerful marker for the identification of truly cellulolytic bacteria. Here we report an improved method for detecting cellulolytic bacteria in lab-scale biogas fermenters by using GH48 genes as a molecular marker in DNA and RNA samples. We developed a mixture of primers for the specific amplification of a GH48 gene region in a broad range of bacteria. Additionally, we built a manually curated reference database containing GH48 gene sequences directly linked to the corresponding taxonomic information. Phylogenetic correlation analysis of GH48 to 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that GH48 gene sequences with 94% identity belong with high confidence to the same genus. Applying this analysis, GH48 amplicon reads revealed that at mesophilic fermenter conditions, 50-99% of the OTUs appear to belong to novel taxa. In contrast, at thermophilic conditions, GH48 gene sequences from the genus Hungateiclostridium dominated with 60-91% relative abundance. The novel primer combinations enabled detection and relative quantification of a wide spectrum of GH48 genes in cellulolytic microbial communities. Deep phylogenetic correlation analysis and a simplified taxonomic identification with the novel database facilitate identification of cellulolytic organisms, including the detection of novel taxa in biogas fermenters.

Risk assessment of patient falls while taking medications ordered in a teaching hospital.

OBJECTIVE: to stratify prescribed medication in a fall risk scale, identifying subgroups of drugs and inpatient units with higher risk of falls. METHOD: retrospective study on prescription order forms given by medical clinic, surgical clinic, and general intensive care unit. Risk factors under consideration: 1) orthostatic hypotension; 2) arterial hypotension; 3) arterial hypertension; 4) bradycardia; 5) psychomotor agitation; 6) mental confusion; 7) dizziness; 8) drowsiness/sedation; 9) reduced eyesight; 10) seizures; 11) atonia/dystonia/muscle weakness; 12) hypoglycemia; 13) urgent urination and 14) urgent defecation/diarrhea. Risk levels adopted: 0: 0 factor; I: 1-2 factors; II: 3-5 factors; III: 6-9 factors; IV: 10-14 factors. RESULTS: 3893 drugs were analyzed and stratified in levels: 0 22.7%; I 33.5%; II 28%; III 15.1%; IV 0.7%. Levels III and IV more often refer to drugs for stomach acid disorders, 22.6%, and psycholeptics, 100%. CONCLUSION: knowing the risk factors associated with medication may help prevent and reduce falls, especially when therapeutic regimens cannot be modified.

Avaliação dos riscos de queda de pacientes em uso de medicamentos prescritos em hospital universitário / Evaluación de los riesgos de caída de pacientes en el uso de medicamentos prescritos en hospital universitario / Risk assessment of patient falls while taking medications ordered in a teaching hospital

RESUMO Objetivo: estratificar medicamentos prescritos em escala de risco de queda, identificando subgrupos de medicamentos e unidades de internação com maior risco de queda. Método: estudo retrospectivo em prescrições de clínica médica, clínica cirúrgica, unidade de terapia intensiva geral. Fatores de risco considerados: 1) hipotensão ortostática; 2) hipotensão arterial; 3) hipertensão arterial; 4) bradicardia; 5) agitação psicomotora; 6) confusão mental; 7) tontura; 8) sonolência/sedação; 9) diminuição da visão; 10) convulsões; 11) atonia/distonia/fraqueza muscular; 12) hipoglicemia; 13) urgência micção e 14) urgência defecação/diarreia. Estabeleceu-se graus de risco: 0: 0 fator; I: 1-2 fatores; II: 3-5 fatores; III: 6-9 fatores e IV: 10-14 fatores. Resultados: foram analisados 3893 medicamentos, estratificados como graus: 0 22,7%; I 33,5%; II 28%; III 15,1%; IV 0,7%. Os graus III e IV referiram-se mais frequentemente a fármacos para distúrbios da acidez gástrica, 22,6%, e psicolépticos, 100%. Conclusão: conhecer fatores de risco associados aos medicamentos pode contribuir para prevenção e diminuição de quedas, sobretudo quando regimes terapêuticos não podem ser modificados. .

RESUMEN Objetivo: estratificar medicamentos prescriptos en escala de riesgo propuesta, identificando subgrupos de drogas y unidades de hospitalización con mayor riesgo de caídas. Método: estudio retrospectivo en prescripciones de clínica médica, clínica quirúrgica, unidad de cuidados intensivos. Factores de riesgo considerados: 1) hipotensión postural; 2) hipotensión arterial; 3) hipertensión arterial; 4) bradicardia; 5) agitación psicomotora; 6) confusión mental; 7) mareos; 8) somnolencia/sedación; 9) convulsiones; 10) disminución visión; 11) atonía/distonía/debilidad muscular; 12) hipoglucemia; 13) urgencia orinar; 14) urgencia defecar/diarrea. Grados de riesgo establecidos: 0: 0 factores; I: 1-2 factores; II: 3-5 factores; III: 6-9 factores, IV: 10-14 factores. Resultados: analizados 3893 medicamentos estratificados como grados: 0 22,7%; I 33,5%; II 28%; III 15,1%; IV 0,7%. Fueron más frecuentes para los grados III y IV: fármacos para trastornos de la acidez gástrica, 22,6%, y psicolépticos, 100%, respectivamente. Conclusión: conocer factores de riesgo asociados con la medicación puede contribuir para prevenir y reducir caídas, sobre todo cuando regímenes terapéuticos no pueden ser cambiados. .

ABSTRACT Objective: to stratify prescribed medication in a fall risk scale, identifying subgroups of drugs and inpatient units with higher risk of falls. Method: retrospective study on prescription order forms given by medical clinic, surgical clinic, and general intensive care unit. Risk factors under consideration: 1) orthostatic hypotension; 2) arterial hypotension; 3) arterial hypertension; 4) bradycardia; 5) psychomotor agitation; 6) mental confusion; 7) dizziness; 8) drowsiness/sedation; 9) reduced eyesight; 10) seizures; 11) atonia/dystonia/muscle weakness; 12) hypoglycemia; 13) urgent urination and 14) urgent defecation/diarrhea. Risk levels adopted: 0: 0 factor; I: 1-2 factors; II: 3-5 factors; III: 6-9 factors; IV: 10-14 factors. Results: 3893 drugs were analyzed and stratifi ed in levels: 0 22.7%; I 33.5%; II 28%; III 15.1%; IV 0.7%. Levels III and IV more often refer to drugs for stomach acid disorders, 22.6%, and psycholeptics, 100%. Conclusion: knowing the risk factors associated with medication may help prevent and reduce falls, especially when therapeutic regimens cannot be modifi ed. .

Inorganic-organic nanocomposites based on sol-gel derived magnesium fluoride.

Monodispersed magnesium fluoride nanoparticles are utilized for the first time to prepare transparent inorganic-organic nanocomposite materials with improved mechanical properties. The fluorolytic sol-gel synthesis route has been modified for the preparation of monodispersed magnesium fluoride nanoparticles with a size of 2-3 nm. MgF(2) particles are effectively stabilised against agglomeration by phosphonic acids, which strongly bind to the particles and lead to an increased compatibility of the inorganic particles with the organic polymers. This way, highly transparent nanocomposite materials with up to 20 wt% magnesium fluoride in different acrylates are obtained, featuring high dispersion of MgF(2) particles in the polymer matrix and an increased hardness by the factor of 2. The nature of interaction between phosphonic acids and magnesium fluoride is thoroughly investigated by IR and NMR showing a monodentate coordination of phosphonates to the particle's surface.