Dissemination of bla OXA-370 gene among several Enterobacteriaceae species in Brazil.

OXA-370 is a recently described OXA-48 variant that has only been described in a few Enterobacter spp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of OXA-370-producing isolates in carbapenem-nonsusceptible Enterobacteriaceae recovered from 28 hospitals from Brazil. Real-time PCR was used to determine the presence of bla NDM-1, bla KPC-2, bla VIM-type, bla GES-type, bla OXA-48-like, and bla IMP-type genes. A total of 4,451 Enterobacteriaceae were screened. The gene bla OXA-48-like was detected in 74 (2.5%) isolates, mostly of Enterobacter spp. (44.6% E. cloacae and 2.7% E. aerogenes) and Klebsiella spp. (31.1% K. pneumoniae and 6.7% K. oxytoca), followed by Escherichia coli, (6.7%), Morganella morganii, (2.7%), Citrobacter freundii (1.3%), Proteus mirabilis (1.3%), Providencia stuartii (1.3%), and Serratia spp. (1.3%). These isolates were from five hospitals, 67 (90.5%) from the hospital where the bla OXA-370 was first described. Sequencing of bla OXA-48-like was performed in 52 isolates, including E. cloacae, E. aerogenes, K. pneumoniae, K. oxytoca, E. coli, and C. freundii; all presenting 100% identity with bla OXA-370. PFGE revealed the presence of distinct clones among K. pneumoniae, E. cloacae, K. oxytoca, and E. coli. Susceptibility rates to meropenem, imipenem, and ertapenem among OXA-370-producing isolates were 92.3%, 78.8%, 7.7% respectively; the MIC50 /MIC90 were 0.38/2 mg/L and 1/3 mg/L for meropenem and imipenem respectively. Overall, antimicrobial susceptibility analysis suggests that OXA-370 lacks carbapenemase activity. Our study demonstrated that the bla OXA-370 gene is disseminated among several Enterobacteriaceae species and clones, indicating a high potential for dissemination.

Scatter fraction with simulations.

In this work, the authors revisit the measurements of Trout and Kelley, and Simpkin and Dixon, by means of Monte Carlo simulations. Starting with a simple cylindrical homogeneous phantom, the authors introduce a more realistic phantom and the effect of the bucky in the simulations. The results indicate that optimised shielding methodologies should not neglect the attenuation and scattering by the patient plus bucky.

Reassessment of structural shielding design in mammography installations.

In this article, it is argued that current shielding methodologies can lead to an over-shielding of low-energy X-ray imaging facilities. Measurements of scattered air kerma rates in a mammography installation, including the effect of an anthropomorphic phantom of the patient, are presented. Detailed Monte Carlo calculations that support the measured results are also shown. Calculations for a mobile mammography installation, including the 'patient transmission factor', are presented and results are discussed.

Effects of inelastic neutrino-nucleus scattering on supernova dynamics and radiated neutrino spectra.

Based on the shell model for Gamow-Teller and the random phase approximation for forbidden transitions, we calculate cross sections for inelastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (INNS) under supernova (SN) conditions, assuming a matter composition given by nuclear statistical equilibrium. The cross sections are incorporated into state-of-the-art stellar core-collapse simulations with detailed energy-dependent neutrino transport. While no significant effect on the SN dynamics is observed, INNS increases the neutrino opacities noticeably and strongly reduces the high-energy tail of the neutrino spectrum emitted in the neutrino burst at shock breakout. Relatedly the expected event rates for the observation of such neutrinos by earthbound detectors are reduced by up to about 60%.

Electron capture rates on nuclei and implications for stellar core collapse.

Supernova simulations to date have assumed that during core collapse electron captures occur dominantly on free protons, while captures on heavy nuclei are Pauli blocked and are ignored. We have calculated rates for electron capture on nuclei with mass numbers A=65-112 for the temperatures and densities appropriate for core collapse. We find that these rates are large enough so that, in contrast to previous assumptions, electron capture on nuclei dominates over capture on free protons. This leads to significant changes in core collapse simulations.

[Study of some physical and biological properties of an endodontic sealer composed of calcium hydroxide]. / Estudo de propriedades físicas e biológicas de um cimento endodôntico à base de hidróxido de cálcio.

The authors present a study of the physical and biological properties of a new endodontic cement known as Sealapex. In its composition the presence of calcium hydroxide is introduced in order to induce calcification of the periapical tissue. Our results using glass round cover slips implanted on the subcutaneous tissue of mice indicated a persistent foreign body reaction (60 days). The physical properties studied compared to N-Rickert ciment indicated, a decreased leakage. Adhesivity tests didn't give us significant values. Laboratorial studies and clinical trials are necessary to a complete acceptance of this new ciment in endodontic treatment.

Quality analysis of the root canal filling employing gutta-percha thermoplasticized at a low temperature (Ultrafil system).

The objective of this study was the investigation of the sealing properties of gutta-percha thermoplasticized at a low temperature by either employing or not N-Rickert cement and vertical condensation. Methylene blue at 0.5% was used to demonstrate the apical leakage. Results demonstrated that minor penetration indexes were attained when cement was not employed and vertical condensation was accomplished.

Insulina em crianca de 3 anos. / Insulin in a 3 years old child

Relata-se o caso de uma crianca de 3 anos de idade portadora de insulinoma, submetida a tratamento cirurgico e curada