Efficacy of alcohol-based hand sanitizers against human norovirus using RNase-RT-qPCR with validation by human intestinal enteroid replication.

Successful human norovirus (HuNoV) cultivation in stem cell-derived human intestinal enteroids (HIE) was recently reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-HuNoV efficacy of two alcohol-based commercial hand sanitizers and 60% ethanol by suspension assay using RNase-RT-qPCR, with subsequent validation of efficacy by HuNoV cultivation using the HIE model. In suspension, when evaluated by RNase-RT-qPCR, 60% ethanol resulted in less than one log10 reduction in HuNoV genome equivalent copies (GEC) regardless of contact time (30 or 60s) or soil load. The two commercial products outperformed 60% ethanol regardless of contact time or soil load, providing 2·2-3·2 log10 HuNoV GEC reductions by suspension assay. Product B could not be validated in the HIE model due to cytotoxicity. Following a 60s exposure, viral replication in the HIE model increased 1·9 ± 0·2 log10 HuNoV GEC for the neutralization (positive) control and increased 0·9 ± 0·2 log10 HuNoV GEC in challenged HIE after treatment with 60% ethanol. No HuNoV replication in HIE was observed after a 60 s exposure to Product A.

Bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid: towards transparent metal-organic frameworks.

The preparation of transparent porous materials can offer a different access towards the study of molecules under solid confined space. Metal-organic frameworks represent a unique opportunity due to their tunable pore size, however aromatic linkers present strong absorption and reduce the transparency. Herein, we report the first example of a MOF with bicyclic organic dicarboxylic linkers and its use as a solid solvent.

Spectroscopic studies of the interaction of 3-(2-thienyl)-[1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridine with 2,6-dimethyl-ß-cyclodextrin and ctDNA.

The inclusion complexation behavior of 3-(2-thienyl)-[1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a] pyridine (TTP) with native ß-cyclodextrin and derivatized cyclodextrins was investigated. Stability constants for complexes with 1 : 1 molar ratios were calculated from phase solubility diagrams. The solubilizing efficiency of the TTP inclusion complex is enhanced in the order of DMßCD > HPßCD > ßCD. The TTP-DMßCD inclusion complex was further characterized in solution by means of absorption, fluorescence, 2D NMR and molecular modeling methods. The thermodynamic studies indicate that the inclusion of TTP into the cyclodextrin cavity is mainly an enthalpy-driven process. The 2D NMR studies revealed that the thienyl moiety of TTP is inserted into the CD cavity while the triazolopyridine protrudes the primary rim of the DMßCD, which are in good agreement with docking results. The fluorescence titration of TTP by ctDNA suggested that the quenching mechanism is a dynamic quenching procedure resulting from the temperature dependence of the TTP-ctDNA complex. Thermodynamics of the interaction revealed that the positive values of ΔH and ΔS announced that the binding process was primarily driven by hydrophobic forces indicating that TTP interacts with ctDNA by means of the minor groove. These results are in good agreement with docking experiments and iodide experiments which reinforce TTP's interactions in the minor groove.

Molecular methods used to estimate thermal inactivation of a prototype human norovirus: more heat resistant than previously believed?

Two molecular-based methods for estimating capsid integrity as a proxy for virus infectivity were used to produce thermal inactivation profiles of Snow Mountain virus (SMV), a prototype human norovirus (HuNoV). Monodispersed virus suspensions were exposed to 77, 80, 82 and 85 °C for various times, pre-treated with either propidium monoazide (PMA) or RNase, and subjected to RNA isolation followed by RT-qPCR amplification. D-values were 25.6 ± 2.8, 3.1 ± 0.1, 0.7 ± 0.04 and 0.2 ± 0.07 min at 77, 80, 82 and 85 °C, respectively for PMA-treated SMV; and 16.4 ± 0.4, 3.9 ± 0.2 0.9 ± 0.3 and 0.12 ± 0.00 min at 77, 80, 82 and 85 °C, respectively for RNase-treated SMV. Corresponding zD values were 3.80 °C and 3.71 °C for PMA and RNase-treated virus, respectively. Electron microscopy data applied to heat-treated virus-like particles supported this relatively high degree of thermal resistance. The data suggest that SMV is more heat resistant than common cultivable HuNoV surrogates. Standardized thermal inactivation methods (such as milk pasteurization) may not be stringent enough to eliminate this virus and perhaps other HuNoV.

ESR, electrochemical and cyclodextrin-inclusion studies of triazolopyridyl pyridyl ketones and dipyridyl ketones derivatives.

The electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of free radicals obtained by electrolytic reduction of triazolopyridyl pyridyl ketones and dipyridyl ketones derivatives were measured in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The hyperfine patterns indicate that the spin density delocalization is dependent of the rings presented in the molecule. The electrochemistry of these compounds was characterized using cyclic voltammetry, in DMSO as solvent. When one carbonyl is present in the molecule one step in the reduction mechanism was observed while two carbonyl are present two steps were detected. The first wave was assigned to the generation of the correspondent free radical species, and the second wave was assigned to the dianion derivatives. The phase-solubility measurements indicated an interaction between molecules selected and cyclodextrins in water. These inclusion complexes are 1:1 with betaCD, and HP-betaCD. The values of Ks showed a different kind of complexes depending on which rings are included. AM1 and DFT calculations were performed to obtain the optimized geometries, theoretical hyperfine constants, and spin distributions, respectively. The theoretical results are in complete agreement with the experimental ones.

Idoneidad de las derivaciones de Atención Primaria a especialidades médicas hospitalarias / Adequacy of primary care referrals to medical specialities

INTRODUCCIÓN. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer la idoneidad de las interconsultas dirigidas desde Atención Primaria a especialidades médicas hospitalarias analizando sus características desde el punto de vista de las dos partes implicadas. MÉTODOS. Cuatro médicos (2 de Atención Primaria y 2 Internistas hospitalarios) analizaron retrospectivamente las peticiones de interconsulta y las notas de la primera consulta de 225 pacientes seleccionados aleatoriamente entre las consultas realizadas entre enero y julio de 2003 en un hospital de carácter provincial. RESULTADOS. El 26% de las interconsultas se consideraron innecesarias si se exige el acuerdo de los cuatro observadores (el 26,6% adecuadas y sin acuerdo en el 47,2% restante), y 37% cuando sólo se requiere que coincidan tres de los cuatro investigadores. La categoría en la que se alcanza un mayor grado de acuerdo es la de las consultas inadecuadas. Estas interconsultas corresponden a pacientes más jóvenes, procedentes del medio urbano, se acompañan de hojas de solicitud de consulta de peor calidad y generan un menor número de revisiones. CONCLUSIONES. Las consultas externas médicas hospitalarias están lastradas por un número muy elevado de IC no adecuadas o innecesarias, a las que se remiten pacientes con características diferentes de aquellos remitidos para consultas consideradas adecuadas

INTRODUCTION. This study aims to know the adequacy of specialized care referrals from Primary Care to hospital medical specialities, analyzing their characteristics from the point of view of the two parties involved. METHODS. Four doctors (2 from primary care and 2 hospital internists) retrospectively analyzed the specialized care requests and notes of the first consultation of 225 patients randomly selected among the consultations made between January and July 2003 in a provincial Hospital. RESULTS. A total of 26% of the specialized care referrals were considered unnecessary if agreement of four observers is required (26.6% adequate and no agreement in the remaining 47.2%) and 37% were considered unnecessary when three of the four investigators had to agree. The category that reaches the highest degree of agreement is that of inadequate consultations. These referrals correspond to younger patients, from urban setting. They are accompanied by consultation request sheets having worse quality and generate fewer reviews. CONCLUSIONS. The hospital out-patient visits are hindered by a very high number of inadequate or unnecessary specialized care consultations, to which patients are sent with characteristics different from those sent with consultations that are considered to be adequate

ESR and electrochemical studies of 2-acylpyridines and 6,6'-diacyl-2,2'-bipyridines.

The ESR spectra of radicals obtained by electrolytic reduction of 2-acylpyridines and 6,6'-diacyl-2,2'-bipyridines were measured in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and analyzed by quantum chemical calculations. The electrochemistry of these compounds was characterized using cyclic voltammetry, in DMSO solvent. The results showed a two step reduction mechanism, first wave was assigned to the generation of the correspondent free radical species, and the second wave was assigned to the dianion derivatives. AM1 and DFT calculations were performed to obtain the optimized geometries, theoretical hyperfine constants, and spin distributions, respectively. The theoretical results are in complete agreement with the experimental ones.

Las mujeres ignoradas de la psicología / Ignored women in psycology

Cuando se analiza la Historia de la Ciencia en general y de la Psicología en particular, se comprueba que las mujeres han participado en su desarrollo desde la más remota antigüedad. No obstante, sus contribuciones y su papel han sido frecuentemente ignorados por los historiadores, otras veces ocultados deliberadamente tras las figuras masculinas de sus maridos, maestros, etc. En otros casos, determinadas mujeres, que en su época gozaron de reconocimiento general dentro de la comunidad científica, fueron posteriormente desapareciendo en el recuerdo de los historiadores de la ciencia. Este ensayo pretende rescatar del olvido a algunas de estas asombrosas mujeres, con la esperanza de que otros se sientan inspirados ha hacer una relectura más justa de eso que llamamos Historia de la Ciencia. Palabras Claves: Historia de la Ciencia, Psicología, mujeres, contribuciones, ignoradas, ocultadas desaparecido, psicoanálisis

Effect of physical factors on the production of bacteriocin from Pediococcus acidilactici ITV 26.

The effect of pH, temperature and agitation on growth and bacteriocin production by Pediococcus acidilactici ITV 126 was investigated. Experiments were made in flasks containing MRS medium at 30 to 40 degrees C, pH 5 to 7 and agitation 0 to 200 rpm. Factor levels were arranged in a 2(3) factorial design with central and axial points. Anova and Tukey paired comparison tests showed that a temperature of 35 degrees C favored bacteriocin production, whereas 40 degrees C was best for cell growth. A statistical interaction of temperature and agitation was observed affecting microbial growth. pH 5 favored both cell growth and bacteriocin production.