Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Potential of Flourensia retinophylla against Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacteria with the greatest impact in the clinical area, due to the high rate of infections and deaths reaching every year. A previous scenario is associated with the bacteria's ability to develop resistance against conventional antibiotic therapies as well as biofilm formation. The above situation exhibits the necessity to reach new effective strategies against this pathogen. Flourensia retinophylla is a medicinal plant commonly used for bacterial infections treatments and has demonstrated antimicrobial effect, although its effect against S. aureus and bacterial biofilms has not been investigated. The purpose of this work was to analyze the antimicrobial and antibiofilm potential of F. retinophylla against S. aureus. The antimicrobial effect was determined using an ethanolic extract of F. retinophylla. The surface charge of the bacterial membrane, the K+ leakage and the effect on motility were determined. The ability to prevent and remove bacterial biofilms was analyzed in terms of bacterial biomass, metabolic activity and viability. The results showed that F. retinophylla presents inhibitory (MIC: 250 µg/mL) and bactericidal (MBC: 500 µg/mL) activity against S. aureus. The MIC extract increased the bacterial surface charge by 1.4 times and the K+ concentration in the extracellular medium by 60%. The MIC extract inhibited the motility process by 100%, 61% and 40% after 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. The MIC extract prevented the formation of biofilms by more than 80% in terms of biomass production and metabolic activity. An extract at 10 × MIC reduced the metabolic activity by 82% and the viability by ≈50% in preformed biofilms. The results suggest that F. retinophylla affects S. areus membrane and the process of biofilm formation and removal. This effect could set a precedent to use this plant as alternative for antimicrobial and disinfectant therapies to control infections caused by this pathogen. In addition, this shrub could be considered for carrying out a purification process in order to identify the compounds responsible for the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effect.

Influence of comorbidities not associated with fibromyalgia on neuropathic pain in patients with psoriatic arthritis: relationship with clinical parameters.

Objective: Neuropathic pain (NP) may influence disease activity assessment in patients with psoriatic arthritis, this relationship being traditionally based on the presence of concomitant fibromyalgia. We analyzed the influence of other comorbidities on NP and the relationship between pain and various clinical parameters. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, excluding patients with a previous diagnosis of fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, diabetes and/or dyslipidemia under treatment. NP was identified using the painDETECT questionnaire (score > 18). Obesity and related clinical parameters, anxious and depressive symptoms, sleep quality and fatigue were assessed as comorbidities. Disease activity was measured using the clinical Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (cDAPSA) in peripheral involvement, the ASDAS-PCR in axial involvement, functioning and disease impact were measured using the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index and 12-item Psoriatic Arthritis Impact of Disease questionnaire, respectively. Results: Overall, 246 patients were included (136 men; 55%). The mean age was 53.4 ± 11.0 years. Forty-two patients had NP (17.1%). Patients with NP had higher leptin levels (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.007-1.056; p < 0.01) and poor sleep quality (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.09-1.297; p < 0.001). Patients with NP also had greater fatigue NRS (6.2 ± 2.2 vs. 2.4 ± 0.19, p < 0.001). Patients with NP had higher cDAPSA score (17.3 ± 5.4 vs. 8.9 ± 6.5, p < 0.001), poorer functioning (1.1 ± 0.5 vs. 0.4 ± 0.5, p < 0.001) and greater disease impact (6.1 ± 1.7 vs. 2.6 ± 1.9, p < 0.001). Conclusion: NP was correlated with sleep quality and serum leptin and may be associated with worse disease activity, functioning and disease impact.

Comparison of the Analgesic Efficacy between Levobupivacaine 0.25% and Ropivacaine 0.375% for PENG (Pericapsular Nerve Group) Block in the Context of Hip Fracture Surgery of Elderly Patients: A Single-Center, Randomized, and Controlled Clinical Trial.

Previous studies have compared levobupivacaine versus ropivacaine in various peripheral nerve blocks in terms of block duration, quality of analgesia, and onset time, but this has not occurred in the PENG block. Here, a single-center, randomized, and controlled clinical trial is presented. One hundred and twenty patients older than 65 years suffering from hip fractures and surgically treated at our institution under spinal anesthesia were eligible for participation; of them, one hundred and eight were analyzed. Patients were randomized to receive ultrasound-guided PENG blocks using 20 mL of either 0.25% levobupivacaine or 0.375% ropivacaine (both of which are equipotent concentrations). The primary endpoint was to compare the analgesic duration (time to first rescue) and analgesic quality (pain scores using the VAS, PAINAD, and AlgoPlus scales) between the groups. Secondary endpoints included comparing the onset time, describing the need for and type of rescue analgesics, and possible associated adverse effects. There were no statistically significant differences in analgesic duration between levobupivacaine (median 861.0, IQR 960) and ropivacaine (median 1205.0, IQR 1379; p = 0.069). Likewise, the quality of analgesia and onset time were comparable among the groups. A small number of patients required opioids as rescue analgesics (4.6%). The possible associated adverse effects included postoperative infection (11.1%) and delirium (2.8%).

Estrés laboral en la unidad de cuidados intensivos de un hospital de la sierra peruana / Work stress in the intensive care unit of a Peruvian highland hospital / Estresse relacionado ao trabalho na unidade de terapia intensiva de um hospital no planalto peruano

El personal de salud en general y en especial los que laboran en áreas críticas en los hospitales, están expuestos mayormente al estrés, por la presencia de factores que condicionan a padecerlo. Objetivo. Evaluar el nivel de estrés laboral del personal de la unidad de cuidados intensivos de un Hospital de la ciudad de Huancayo, del departamento de Junín de Perú. Materiales y métodos. Con enfoque cuantitativo, descriptivo, transversal y retrospectivo, el cual se desarrolló de enero a marzo del 2020. El muestreo utilizado fue de tipo no probabilístico, intencional, siendo el total de población como toda la muestra: constituido por 9 médicos, 19 licenciados en enfermería y 18 técnicos en enfermería. La técnica que se utilizó para la recolección de información fue la encuesta y el cuestionario Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) como instrumento, es cual se encontraba validado y contaba con tres dimensiones. La información obtenida a través del cuestionario aplicado se procesó con el programa estadístico de Excel y SPSS. Resultados. Muestran que la mayoría representado con un 65,2 % del personal de la UCI tiene un nivel medio de estrés laboral, seguido del 19,6 % con nivel alto y el 15,2 % tiene un nivel bajo. Conclusión. El nivel de estrés está presente en el personal de salud de la UCI de un Hospital de la ciudad de Huancayo, en sus tres niveles.

Health personnel in general, and especially those working in critical areas in hospitals, are exposed to stress, due to the presence of factors that condition them to suffer it. Objective. To evaluate the level of occupational stress in the staff of the intensive care unit of a hospital in the city of Huancayo, in the department of Junín, Peru. Materials and methods. With a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective approach, which was developed from January to March 2020. The sampling used was non-probabilistic, intentional, being the total population as the whole sample: 9 physicians, 19 nursing graduates and 18 nursing technicians. The technique used for the collection of information was the survey and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) questionnaire as an instrument, which was validated and had three dimensions. The information obtained from the questionnaire was processed with the Excel and SPSS statistical software. Results. They show that the majority represented by 65.2 % of the ICU personnel have a medium level of work stress, followed by 19.6 % with a high level and 15.2 % with a low level. Conclusion. The level of stress is present in the health personnel of the ICU of a Hospital in the city of Huancayo, in its three levels.

Os profissionais de saúde em geral, e especialmente aqueles que trabalham em áreas críticas nos hospitais, estão expostos ao estresse, devido à presença de fatores que os condicionam a sofrê-lo. Objetivo. Avaliar o nível de estresse relacionado ao trabalho no pessoal da unidade de terapia intensiva de um hospital na cidade de Huancayo, no departamento de Junín, Peru. Materiais e métodos. Com uma abordagem quantitativa, descritiva, transversal e retrospectiva, realizada de janeiro a março de 2020. A amostragem utilizada foi não probabilística, intencional, tendo a população total como amostra completa: 9 médicos, 19 graduados em enfermagem e 18 técnicos de enfermagem. A técnica utilizada para a coleta de informações foi a pesquisa e o questionário Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) como instrumento, que foi validado e tinha três dimensões. As informações obtidas do questionário foram processadas com o programa estatístico Excel e SPSS. Resultados. Eles mostram que a maioria (65,2%) dos funcionários da UTI tem um nível médio de estresse relacionado ao trabalho, seguido por 19,6% com um nível alto e 15,2% com um nível baixo. Conclusões. O nível de estresse está presente na equipe de saúde da UTI de um hospital na cidade de Huancayo, em seus três níveis.

Ionic Field Screening in MAPbBr3 Crystals Revealed from Remnant Sensitivity in X-ray Detection.

Research on metal halide perovskites as absorbers for X-ray detection is an attractive subject due to the optimal optoelectronic properties of these materials for high-sensitivity applications. However, the contact degradation and the long-term instability of the current limit the performance of the devices, in close causality with the dual electronic-ionic conductivity of these perovskites. Herein, millimeter-thick methylammonium-lead bromide (MAPbBr3) single and polycrystalline samples are approached by characterizing their long-term dark current and photocurrent under X-ray incidence. It is shown how both the dark current and the sensitivity of the detectors follow similar trends at short-circuit (V = 0 V) after biasing. By performing drift-diffusion numerical simulations, it is revealed how large ionic-related built-in fields not only produce relaxations to equilibrium lasting up to tens of hours but also continue to affect the charge kinetics under homogeneous low photogeneration rates. Furthermore, a method is suggested for estimating the ionic mobility and concentration by analyzing the initial current at short-circuit and the characteristic diffusion times.

Should We Use the Men Load-Velocity Profile for Women in Deadlift and Hip Thrust?

Injuries are common in team sports and can impact both team and individual performance. In particular, hamstring strain injuries are some of the most common injuries. Furthermore, hamstring injury ratios, in number of injuries and total absence days, have doubled in the last 21 seasons in professional soccer. Weakness in hip extensor strength has been identified as a risk factor in elite-level sprinters. In addition, strength imbalances of the hamstring muscle group seem to be a common cause of hamstring strain injuries. In this regard, velocity-based training has been proposed to analyze deficits in the force-velocity profile. Previous studies have shown differences between men and women, since there are biomechanical and neuromuscular differences in the lower limbs between sexes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the load-velocity profile between males and females during two of the most important hip extension exercises: the hip thrust and the deadlift. Sixteen men and sixteen women were measured in an incremental loading test following standard procedures for the hip thrust and deadlift exercises. Pearson's correlation (r) was used to measure the strength of the correlation between movement velocity and load (%1RM). The differences in the load-velocity relationship between the men and the women were assessed using a 2 (sex) × 15 (load) repeated-measures ANOVA. The main findings revealed that: (I) the load-velocity relationship was always strong and linear in both exercises (R2 range: 0.88-0.94), (II) men showed higher velocities for light loads (30-50%1RM; effect size: 0.9-0.96) than women for the deadlift, but no significant differences were found for the hip thrust. Based on the results of this study, the load-velocity equations seem to be sex-specific. Therefore, we suggest that using sex-specific equations to analyze deficits in the force-velocity profile would be more effective to control intensity in the deadlift exercise.

Tin perovskite solar cells with >1,300 h of operational stability in N2 through a synergistic chemical engineering approach.

Despite the promising properties of tin-based halide perovskites, one clear limitation is the fast Sn+2 oxidation. Consequently, the preparation of long-lasting devices remains challenging. Here, we report a chemical engineering approach, based on adding Dipropylammonium iodide (DipI) together with a well-known reducing agent, sodium borohydride (NaBH4), aimed at preventing the premature degradation of Sn-HPs. This strategy allows for obtaining efficiencies (PCE) above 10% with enhanced stability. The initial PCE remained unchanged upon 5 h in air (60% RH) at maximum-power-point (MPP). Remarkably, 96% of the initial PCE was kept after 1,300 h at MPP in N2. To the best of our knowledge, these are the highest reported values for Sn-based solar cells. Our findings demonstrate a beneficial synergistic effect when additives are incorporated, highlight the important role of iodide in the performance upon light soaking, and, ultimately, unveil the relevance of controlling the halide chemistry for future improvement of Sn-based perovskite devices.

Hematologic evaluation of peripheral blood in Sprague Dawley rats by chronic exposure to aluminum chloride (AlCl3).

This study aimed to evaluate whether aluminum chloride (AlCl3) causes hematological changes in the peripheral blood of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Five groups of female SD rats were intragastrically administered with 4 different concentrations of AlCl3 for 5 days a week for a total of 90 days. The aluminum concentration was determined via graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy. Analysis of serum iron-kinetic profiles, blood cytometry outcomes, and blood smears of the blood samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy were used to search for structural and ultrastructural changes, respectively. Blood aluminum concentration ranged 12.38-16.24 µg/L with no significant difference between experimental treatments. At the AlCl3 concentration of 40 mg Al/kg bw of rats/day, the mean ferritin value in the serum iron kinetic profile was 29.81±6.1 ng/mL, and this value showed a significant difference between experimental treatments. Blood cytometry revealed that there were 6.45-7.11×106 cells/µL erythrocytes, 8.91-9.32×103 cells/µL leukocytes, and 477.2-736.3×103 cells/µL platelets along with a hemoglobin of 37.38-41.93 g/dL and hematocrit level of 37.38-41.93%; the experimental treatments showed no significant differences. Erythrocyte structural analysis using SEM showed no differences between experimental treatments, whereas ultrastructural evaluation using Raman spectroscopy made it possible to identify the following bands: 741, 1123, 1350, 1578, and 1618 cm-1, which were respectively associated with the following vibrational modes and compounds: vibration of the tryptophan ring, asymmetric C-O-C stretching of glucose, C-H curve of tryptophan, C=C stretching of the heme group, and C-N stretching of the heme group, with no significant differences between experimental treatments. Therefore, AlCl3 administration does not induce ultrastructural changes in the erythrocyte membrane. This study revealed that serum ferritin concentration was the only parameter affected by AlCl3 exposure at 40 mg of Al/kg bw of rats/day.

Combining Modulated Techniques for the Analysis of Photosensitive Devices.

Small-perturbation techniques such as impedance spectroscopy (IS), intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy (IMPS), and intensity-modulated photovoltage spectroscopy (IMVS) are useful tools to characterize and model photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical devices. While the analysis of the impedance spectra is generally carried out using an equivalent circuit, the intensity-modulated spectroscopies are often analyzed through the measured characteristic response times. This makes the correlation between the two methods of analysis generally unclear. In this work, by taking into consideration the absorptance and separation efficiency, a unified theoretical framework and a procedure to combine the spectral analysis of the three techniques are proposed. Such a joint analysis of IS, IMPS, and IMVS spectra greatly reduces the sample space of possible equivalent circuits to model the device and allows obtaining parameters with high reliability. This theoretical approach is applied in the characterization of a silicon photodiode to demonstrate the validity of this methodology, which shows great potential to improve the quality of analysis of spectra obtained from frequency domain small-perturbation methods.

Development of a Fluorescent Assay to Search New Drugs Using Stable tdTomato-Leishmania, and the Selection of Galangin as a Candidate With Anti-Leishmanial Activity.

Antimonials continue to be considered the first-line treatment for leishmaniases, but its use entails a wide range of side effects and serious reactions. The search of new drugs requires the development of methods more sensitive and faster than the conventional ones. We developed and validated a fluorescence assay based in the expression of tdTomato protein by Leishmania, and we applied this method to evaluate the activity in vitro of flavonoids and reference drugs. The pIR1SAT/tdTomato was constructed and integrated into the genome of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. Parasites were selected with nourseothricin (NTC). The relation of L. amaz/tc3 fluorescence and the number of parasites was determined; then the growth in vitro and infectivity in BALB/c mice was characterized. To validate the fluorescence assay, the efficacy of miltefosine and meglumine antimoniate was compared with the conventional methods. After that, the method was used to assess in vitro the activity of flavonoids; and the mechanism of action of the most active compound was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy and ELISA. A linear correlation was observed between the emission of fluorescence of L. amaz/tc3 and the number of parasites (r2 = 0.98), and the fluorescence was stable in the absence of NTC. No differences were observed in terms of infectivity between L. amaz/tc3 and wild strain. The efficacy of miltefosine and meglumine antimoniate determined by the fluorescence assay and the microscopic test showed no differences, however, in vivo the fluorescence assay was more sensitive than limiting dilution assay. Screening assay revealed that the flavonoid galangin (GAL) was the most active compound with IC50 values of 53.09 µM and 20.59 µM in promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes, respectively. Furthermore, GAL induced mitochondrial swelling, lipid inclusion bodies and vacuolization in promastigotes; and up-modulated the production of IL-12 p70 in infected macrophages. The fluorescence assay is a useful tool to assess the anti-leishmanial activity of new compounds. However, the assay has some limitations in the macrophage-amastigote model that might be related with an interfere of flavanol aglycones with the fluorescence readout of tdTomato. Finally, GAL is a promising candidate for the development of new treatment against the leishmaniasis.

A Neuromotor to Acoustical Jaw-Tongue Projection Model With Application in Parkinson's Disease Hypokinetic Dysarthria.

AIM: The present work proposes the study of the neuromotor activity of the masseter-jaw-tongue articulation during diadochokinetic exercising to establish functional statistical relationships between surface Electromyography (sEMG), 3D Accelerometry (3DAcc), and acoustic features extracted from the speech signal, with the aim of characterizing Hypokinetic Dysarthria (HD). A database of multi-trait signals of recordings from an age-matched control and PD participants are used in the experimental study. HYPOTHESIS: The main assumption is that information between sEMG and 3D acceleration, and acoustic features may be quantified using linear regression methods. METHODS: Recordings from a cohort of eight age-matched control participants (4 males, 4 females) and eight PD participants (4 males, 4 females) were collected during the utterance of a diadochokinetic exercise (the fast repetition of diphthong [aI]). The dynamic and acoustic absolute kinematic velocities produced during the exercises were estimated by acoustic filter inversion and numerical integration and differentiation of the speech signal. The amplitude distributions of the absolute kinematic and acoustic velocities (AKV and AFV) are estimated to allow comparisons in terms of Mutual Information. RESULTS: The regression results show the relationships between sEMG and dynamic and acoustic estimates. The projection methodology may help in understanding the basic neuromotor muscle activity regarding neurodegenerative speech in remote monitoring neuromotor and neurocognitive diseases using speech as the vehicular tool, and in the study of other speech-related disorders. The study also showed strong and significant cross-correlations between articulation kinematics, both for the control and the PD cohorts. The absolute kinematic variables presents an observable difference for the PD participants compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Kinematic distributions derived from acoustic analysis may be useful biomarkers toward characterizing HD in neuromotor disorders providing new insights into PD.

30-day mortality after hip fracture surgery: Influence of postoperative factors.

PURPOSE: The 30-day mortality rate after hip fracture surgery has been considered as an indirect indicator of the quality of care. The aim of this work is to analyse preoperative and postoperative factors potentially related to early 30-day mortality in patients over 65 undergoing hip fracture surgery. METHODS: Prospective cohort study including all consecutive primary hip fracture patients over 65 admitted to Trauma and Orthopaedics department from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019. Bed-ridden, non- surgically treated patients, and high energy trauma or tumoral aetiology fractures were excluded. A total of 943 patients were eligible (attrition rate: 2.1%). Follow-up included 30-days after discharge. We noted the 30-day mortality after hip fracture surgery, analysing 130 potentially related variables including biodemographic, fracture-related, preoperative, and postoperative clinical factors. Qualitative variables were assessed by χ2, and quantitative variables by non-parametric tests. Odds ratio determined by binary logistic regression. We selected preventable candidate variables for multivariate risk assessment by logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 923 patients were enrolled (mean age 86.22±6.8, 72.9% women). The 30-day mortality rate was 6.0%. We noted significant increased mortality on men (OR = 2.381[1.371-4.136], p = 0.002), ageing patients (ORyear = 1.073[1.025-1.122], p = 0.002), and longer time to surgery (ORday = 1.183[1.039-1146], p<0.001), on other 20 preoperative clinical variables, like lymphopenia (lymphocyte count <103/µl, OR = 1.842[1.063-3.191], p = 0.029), hypoalbuminemia (≤3.5g/dl, OR = 2.474[1.316-4.643], p = 0.005), and oral anticoagulant intake (OR = 2.499[1.415-4.415], p = 0.002), and on 25 postoperative clinical variables, like arrhythmia (OR = 13.937[6.263-31.017], p<0.001), respiratory insufficiency (OR = 7.002[3.947-12.419], p<0.001), hyperkalaemia (OR = 10.378[3.909-27.555], p<0.001), nutritional supply requirement (OR = 3.576[1.894-6.752], p = 0.021), or early arthroplasty dislocation (OR = 6.557[1.206-35.640], p = 0.029). We developed a predictive model for early mortality after hip fracture surgery based on postoperative factors with 96.0% sensitivity and 60.7% specificity (AUC = 0.863). CONCLUSION: We revealed that not only preoperative, but also postoperative factors have a great impact after hip fracture surgery. The influence of post-operative factors on 30-day mortality has a logical basis, albeit so far they have not been identified or quantified before. Our results provide an advantageous picture of the 30-day mortality after hip fracture surgery.

Negative Capacitance and Inverted Hysteresis: Matching Features in Perovskite Solar Cells.

Negative capacitance in the low-frequency domain and inverted hysteresis are familiar features in perovskite solar cells, which origin is still under discussion. Here we use impedance spectroscopy to analyze these responses in methylammonium lead bromide cells treated with lithium cations at the electron-selective layer/perovskite interface and in iodide devices exposed to different relative humidity conditions. Employing the surface polarization model, we obtain a time constant associated with the kinetics of the interaction of ions/vacancies with the surface, τkin, in the range of 100-102 s for all the cases exhibiting both features. These interactions lead to a decrease in the overall recombination resistance, modifying the low-frequency perovskite response and yielding a flattening of the cyclic voltammetry. As a consequence of these results we find that negative capacitance and inverted hysteresis lead to a decrease in the fill factor and photovoltage values.

High performance of an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for American tegumentary leishmaniasis diagnosis with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis amastigotes membrane crude antigens.

The diagnosis of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) still requires the design of more effective tools. Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the causal agent of the 90% of Argentinean ATL cases. Considering the current knowledge, an ELISA based crude antigen (CA) for the diagnosis was designed. Ninety-nine subjects diagnosed as ATL, 27 as no-ATL, and 84 donors from non-ATL-endemic areas were included in this study. The current ATL diagnosis was based four techniques, dermal smear microscopic examination (parasitological test), PCR, Leishmanin skin test, and clinical records. We obtained CA extracts from promastigotes and amastigotes from macrophage cultures of different zymodemes of endemic Leishmania species circulating in the study area. Crude antigens from the 'local' main zymodeme of L. (V.) braziliensis showed the highest reactivity against anti-Leishmania antibodies compared to the other included species. The CA of amastigotes of this zymodeme was 3.4 fold more reactive than promastigotes one. Moreover, amastigote-membrane CA (MCA) were 3.6 fold more reactive than the soluble antigens. The MCA-ELISA reached a sensitivity and specificity of 98% (CI = 94.7%-100%) and 63.6% (53.9-73.1), respectively. When anti-Trypanosoma cruzi reactive sera were excluded, the specificity reached 98.4% (94.4-100), while the sensitivity was similar, with a positive predictive value (PV) of 98.6% (94.6-100) and negative PV of 96.3% (91.6-100). The performance of the MCA-ELISA results strongly contribute to the final diagnostic decision, since a non-reactive serological result almost discards the suspected ATL, because of its high negative PV. The developed MCA-ELISA showed a high diagnostic performance, which makes it a good candidate for ATL diagnosis, for seroprevalence studies, or for monitoring treatments efficacy.

Genotoxic Effects of Aluminum Chloride and Their Relationship with N-Nitroso-N-Methylurea (NMU)-Induced Breast Cancer in Sprague Dawley Rats.

Recently, soluble forms of aluminum for human use or consumption have been determined to be potentially toxic due to their association with hepatic, neurological, hematological, neoplastic, and bone conditions. This study aims to assess the genotoxic effect of aluminum chloride on genomic instability associated with the onset of N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU)-induced breast cancer in Sprague Dawley rats. The dietary behavior of the rats was assessed, and the concentration of aluminum in the mammary glands was determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Genomic instability was determined in the histological sections of mammary glands stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Moreover, micronucleus in peripheral blood and comet assays were performed. The results of dietary behavior evaluation indicated no significant differences between the experimental treatments. However, aluminum concentration in breast tissues was high in the +2000Al/-NMU treatment. This experimental treatment caused moderate intraductal cell proliferation, lymph node hyperplasia, and serous gland adenoma. Furthermore, micronucleus and comet test results revealed that +2000Al/-NMU led to a genotoxic effect after a 10-day exposure and the damage was more evident after a 15-day exposure. Therefore, in conclusion, genomic instability is present and the experimental conditions assessed are not associated with breast cancer.

Efficacy of Topical Treatment with (-)-Epigallocatechin Gallate, A Green Tea Catechin, in Mice with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.

The treatment of leishmaniasis includes pentavalent antimony drugs but, because of the side effects, toxicity and cases of treatment failure or resistance, the search of new antileishmanial compounds are necessary. The aims of this study were to evaluate and compare the in vitro antileishmanial activity of four green tea catechins, and to assess the efficacy of topical (-)-epigallocatechin gallate in a cutaneous leishmaniasis model. The antileishmanial activity of green tea catechins was evaluated against intracellular amastigotes, and cytotoxicity was performed with human monocytic cell line. BALB/c mice were infected in the ear dermis with Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis and treated with topical 15% (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, intraperitoneal Glucantime, and control group. The efficacy of treatments was evaluated by quantifying the parasite burden and by measuring the lesions size. (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate and (-)-epigallocatechin were the most active compounds with IC50 values <59.6 µg/mL and with a selectivity index >1. Topical treatment with (-)-epigallocatechin gallate decreased significantly both lesion size and parasite burden (80.4% inhibition) compared to control group (p < 0.05), and moreover (-)-epigallocatechin gallate showed a similar efficacy to Glucantime (85.1% inhibition), the reference drug for leishmaniasis treatment.

The impact of antithrombotic therapy on surgical delay and 2-year mortality in older patients with hip fracture: a prospective observational study.

PURPOSE: To analyze the associations of oral anticoagulant and antiplatelet treatments in older patients requiring surgical treatment for hip fracture with mortality, length of stay, waiting time to surgery and postsurgical immediate complications. METHODS: A prospective observational study, including surgically treated hip fracture patients aged 65 years and older. We analyzed admission status variables, and time to surgery, length of stay and immediate surgical and medical complications. We recorded a 2-year survival follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 237 patients studied, 32.5% received antiplatelet treatment and 17.7% received oral anticoagulant treatment. The overall 2-year mortality was 29.1%. The 2-year mortality rate reached the 33.8% for antiplatelet-treated patients (n.s.) and 45.2% for oral anticoagulated patients (p = 0.011). The length of stay increased significantly associated with the oral anticoagulant or high-dose antiplatelet treatment (p < 0.001). The same happened for the time to surgery (p < 0.001), but no delay was observed for patients with low-dose antiplatelet treatment. Oral anticoagulated and antiplatelet-treated patients had a higher Charlson comorbidity index (p = 0.004, p = 0.019) and ASA score (p = 0.006, p = 0.011). Those treatments were also associated with a higher rate of some immediate postsurgical medical complications. We found a relationship between low hemoglobin at admission and high-dose antiplatelet treatment (p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Hip fracture patients following previous oral anticoagulant treatment have a higher 2-year mortality rate. The oral anticoagulant or high-dose antiplatelet treatments are significantly associated with an increase in the length of stay, related to time to surgery, but we could not demonstrate an effect on early mortality.

Biosorption of copper by immobilized biomass of Aspergillus australensis. Effect of metal on the viability, cellular components, polyhydroxyalkanoates production, and oxidative stress.

Heavy metals are toxic especially when they are introduced into the environment due to anthropogenic activities such as metallurgy, mining, and tanning. Removing these pollutants has become a worldwide concern since they cannot be degraded into nontoxic forms causing extended effects in the ecosystems. The use of an Aspergillus australensis was evaluated in order to remove Cu2+ from simulated wastewater. The fungus was isolated from river sludges contaminated with heavy metals and was first evaluated for the determination of Cu2+ tolerance levels. Microscopic fluorescence analysis was carried out to determine the effect of Cu2+ presence on the viability, cellular components, polyhydroxyalkanoates production, and oxidative stress of the fungus, as a response to the stress caused by exposure to metal. In order to achieve copper removal, the A. australensis biomass was produced using batch cultures, and the mycelium was immobilized on a textile media in order to compare the copper-removal efficiency of live or dead biomass. The optimal values of pH and temperature for biomass production were established by using a surface response analysis. Live immobilized biomass was capable of removing Cu2+ from 1.54 ± 0.19 to 2.66 ± 0.26 mg of copper/ g of dry biomass, while values of 1.93 ± 0.03 to 2.36 ± 0.29 mg of copper/g of dry biomass were observed when dead biomass was used. As was expected, copper removal using biomass varied depending on the pH and temperature used.

Probióticos en el síndrome de intestino irritable con predominio de diarrea / Probiotics for the treatment of diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome

Una mujer de 36 años, diagnosticada con síndrome de intestino irritable a predominio de diarrea (SII-D) acude a la consulta médica. Ella pregunta si el uso de probióticos sería útil para controlar los episodios de diarrea, ya que los fármacos con los que está siendo tratada no le resultan eficaces. Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica con el objetivo de en contrar evidencia en respuesta a su consulta, tras la cual se seleccionaron dos ensayos clínicos y una revisión sistemática. Se evidenciaron diversos resultados en cuanto al uso de probióticos en el SII-D y se discutieron los riesgos y beneficios del tratamiento, así como las implicancias en la vida de la paciente. (AU)

A 36-year-old woman diagnosed with diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS) goes to meet the doctor. She raises whether the use of probiotics would be useful for controlling diarrhea episodes, since the drugs which she is being treated with, are not effective. A bibliographic search was conducted with the objective of finding evidence in response toher query. Two clinical trials and a systematic review were found. Variable results were found regarding the use of probioticsin D-IBS. The risks and benefits of the treatment were discussed, as well as the implications in the patient's lifestyle. (AU)

Family satisfaction in the trauma and surgical intensive care unit: another important quality measure.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of research has explored patient satisfaction as one of the healthcare quality measures. To date, scarce data are available regarding family experience in the trauma and surgical intensive care unit (TSICU). The purpose of this study was to describe and analyze the results of a family satisfaction survey in the TSICU. METHODS: Family members of patients at a level 1 trauma center were invited to participate in this study after 72 hours of intensive care unit stay. Participants completed a modified version of the Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit questionnaire, a validated survey measuring family satisfaction with care and decision-making. Data collection spanned from April 2016 to July 2017. Patient characteristics were compiled from the medical record. Quantitative analysis was performed using a 5-point Likert score, converted to a scale of 0 (poor) to 100 (excellent). RESULTS: The overall response rate was 78.6%. Of the 103 family members for 88 patients, most were young (median age: 41 years) and female (75%). Language fluency was 44.6% English-only, 31.7% Spanish-only, and 23.8% bilingual. Mean summary family satisfaction scores (±SD) were 80.6±26.4 for satisfaction with care, 79.3±27.1 for satisfaction with decision-making, and 80.1±26.7 for total satisfaction. Respondents were less satisfied with the frequency of communication with physicians (70.7±27.4) and language translation (73.2±31.2). DISCUSSION: Overall family satisfaction with the care provided to patients in the TSICU is high, although opportunities for improvement were noted in the frequency of communication between physicians and family and language translation services. Further quality improvement projects are warranted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Care management study: level V.