Characterization and molecular epidemiology of extensively prevalent nosocomial isolates of drug-resistant Acinetobacter spp.

Acinetobacter sp isolates deserve special attention once they have emerged globally in healthcare institutions because they display numerous intrinsic and acquired drug-resistance mechanisms. This study assessed the antibiotic susceptibility profile, the presence of the genetic marker blaOXA-23, and the clonal relationship among 34 nosocomial isolates of Acinetobacter spp obtained at a hospital in southeastern Brazil. Antibiotic sensitivity analysis was performed by the standard disc-diffusion method. All isolates were found to be extensively resistant to several drugs, but sensitive to polymyxin B. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to detect the blaOXA-23 gene, which is associated with carbapenem resistance. The genetic profile and the clonal relationship among isolates were analyzed via enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-PCR. The Acinetobacter spp were divided into four groups with 22 distinct genetic subgroups. ERIC-PCR analysis revealed the genetic diversity among isolates, which, despite having a heterogeneous profile, displayed 100% clonality among 56% (19/34) of them.

Silver-gelatine bionanocomposites for qualitative detection of a pesticide by SERS.

The controlled release of pesticides using hydrogel vehicles is an important procedure to limit the amount of these compounds in the environment, providing an effective way for crop protection. A key-step in the formulation of new materials for these purposes encompasses the monitoring of available pesticides in the gel matrix under variable working conditions. In this work, we report a series of bionanocomposites made of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) and gelatine A for the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (EtDTC) as a pesticide model. These studies demonstrate the effectiveness of these substrates for the detection of EtDTC in aqueous solutions in a concentration as low as 10(-5) M. We have monitored the Raman signal enhancement of this analyte in bionanocomposites having an increasing amount of gelatine due to their relevance in formulating hydrogels of variable gel strengths. Under these conditions, the bionanocomposites have shown an effective SERS activity using EtDTC, demonstrating their effectiveness in the qualitative detection of this analyte. Finally, experiments involving the release of EtDTC from Ag/gelatine samples have been monitored by SERS, which attest the potential of this spectroscopic method in the laboratorial monitoring of hydrogels for pesticide release.

Metabolisable energy partition for Japanese quails.

Knowing how energy intake is partitioned between maintenance, growth and egg production (EP) of birds makes it possible to structure models and recommend energy intakes based on differences in the BW, weight gain (WG) and EP on commercial quail farms. This research was a dose-response study to re-evaluate the energy partition for Japanese quails in the EP phase, based on the dilution technique to modify the retained energy (RE) of the birds. A total of 300 VICAMI® Japanese quail, housed in climatic chambers, were used from 16 weeks of age, with averages for BW of 185 g and EP of 78%, for 10 weeks. To modify the RE in the bird's body, a qualitative dilution of dietary energy was used. Ten treatments (metabolisable energy levels) were distributed in completely randomised units, with six replicates of five quails per experimental unit. Metabolisable energy intake (MEI), egg mass (EM) and RE were expressed in kJ/kg0.67. The utilisation efficiency (kt) was estimated from the relationship between RE and MEI. The metabolisable energy for maintenance was given by RE = 0. The net energy requirement for WG was obtained from the relationship between RE in the BW as a function of the BW. The utilisation efficiency for EP (ko) was obtained from the relationship between EM and RE corrected MEI for maintenance and WG. Based on these efficiencies, the requirements for WG and EM were calculated. The energy intake by Japanese quails was partitioned according to the model: MEI = 569.8 × BW0.67 + 22 × WG + 13 × EM. The current study provides procedures and methods designed for quails as well as a simple and flexible model that can be quickly adopted by technicians and poultry companies.

Genetic growth potential characterization in the Japanese quail: a meta-analysis.

The description of the growth of the Japanese quails is necessary to characterize the genetic potential of these birds raised in different countries. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the genetic potential of Japanese quails by conducting a meta-analysis considering studies conducted in different countries. Only data about the subspecies Coturnix coturnix japonica were considered; studies regarding Coturnix coturnix coturnix were not examined. The criteria investigated were BW (W), age (t), year of publication and location of the study. Each set of genetic material within a publication was coded as one study. The Gompertz function was used to interpret the growth of laying quails; thus, each study was represented by Gompertz parameters. The W and t data were applied to estimate the values of Gompertz growth parameters, including BW at maturity (Wm), BW at birth (Wi), maturity rate (B) and inflection point (IP). The age at which the maximum growth rate was achieved (t*) was calculated considering the parameters Wm, Wi and B. To estimate these parameters, random regression was used to randomize the parameter Wm. The parameters estimated for each assay were used in exploratory, grouping, and principal component analyses. The values of Wi ranged from 4.1 to 11.6 g. The values of B ranged from 0.0393 to 0.1039/day, and consequently, the values of t* and IP ranged from 14 to 31 days and 9.21 to 31.03 g, respectively. These results show that there is considerable variability in the growth potential of Japanese quails. To better understand this variation, two groups were examined: Brazil and other countries, according to the grouping of Wi, Wm, B and t*; parameter B was the variable that presented the highest specificity, indicating that both groups modified the maturity rate. For the principal component analysis, the year of publication showed a relationship with the growth parameters but only for studies performed in Brazil. For studies carried out in other countries, the changes in growth parameters were not related to the year of publication. In Brazilian studies, there was a decrease in the maturity rate, but the weight at maturity was higher. Therefore, it appears that different strategies of genetic selection were adopted in Brazil compared to other countries.

Rate of feed passage in Japanese quail.

The rate of passage (ROP) in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) influences the exposure time of food to the digestion and absorption processes. Consequently, ROP affects the efficiency of nutrient utilization and energy from the diet. This study aimed to determine the physiological parameters that characterize the digestive response, such as first appearance time (FAT), ROP, mean retention time (MRT) and transit time (TT) in adult Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), and to evaluate the effects of sex, apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn) content in the diet and different types of markers on these parameters. In the first trial, we investigated the effects of sex and AMEn level (high- and low-energy diet) on the FAT parameter. Thirty-two male and 32 female Japanese quail were randomly allocated to 8 battery cages and assigned to 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design with 4 replicates of 4 birds for each treatment. To determine the FAT, ferric oxide (1%) was added to the diet, and the excreta of the quail was monitored until the first appearance of the marker. The results indicated significant differences (P < 0.05) in the FAT between males (100 min) and females (56 min), regardless of the AMEn content. In the second trial, thirty-two 32-week-old female Japanese quail in the laying phase were assigned to four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design, in which the main independent variables were type of marker (Cr or Ti) and AMEn level (high- and low-energy diets). In order to determine ROP (ET1%), MRT and TT (ET100%), the markers (0.5%: Cr2O3 and 0.5%: TiO2) were added to the diets, and the excreta were collected for 750 min. The excretion times for 1% (ET1%), 25% (ET25%), 50% (ET50%), 75% (ET75%) and 100% (ET100%) were estimated using cumulative excretion curves. No effect was detected for the AMEn level (P > 0.05); however, the effect of different marker types was significant (P < 0.05). This difference increased with time and ET100% was estimated to occur at 59 min. The ROP was estimated to be 68 min. The TT was estimated to be 540 min using Cr and 599 min using Ti, with an average MRT value of 0930 h. Taken together, our findings support the hypothesis that Japanese quail digestion through the GIT can be dynamic and differ based on sex or marker type.

Impacts of plastic products used in daily life on the environment and human health: What is known?

Plastics are indispensable and persistent materials used in daily life that can be fragmented into micro- or nanoplastics. They are long polymer chains mixed with additives that can be toxic when in contact with distinct species. The toxicity can result from polymer matrix, additives, degradation products and adsorbed contaminants. Notwithstanding, there is still an immense gap of information concerning the individual and mixed impacts of plastics. Hence, in this study, we characterize the most common plastic materials widely used in our daily life by its polymer type and compile the environmental and human health hazards of these polymers including the impacts of monomers, additives, degradation products and adsorbed contaminants based on literature review. In summary, polyvinyl chloride is the most toxic polymer type used daily (monomer and additives); additives are more toxic than monomers to wildlife and humans; and the most toxic additives are benzene, phthalates and lead stabilisers.

A general strategy to prepare SERS active filter membranes for extraction and detection of pesticides in water.

An important feature in the fabrication of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) platforms is, together with the high efficiency, to allow the rapid collection and analysis of a vestigial analyte. Conventional substrates based on rigid solid materials or metal hydrosols are not suitable for sample extraction, limiting their application in areas such as water quality monitoring. Herein, we have developed a strategy to fabricate SERS active substrates (Ag/LCP) based on liquid-crystal polymer (LCP) textile fibers decorated with Ag nanoparticles (NPs). Two distinct methods for substrate preparation envisaging the SERS detection of the pesticide thiram have been explored in this research. In a first stage, we have investigated the usefulness of both approaches using ethanolic solutions of the pesticide thiram, and after real samples spiked with thiram were used to explore the analysis in real environment. The SERS analysis of thiram dissolved in Aveiro Estuary water and in fruit juices have provided enhancement factors of 1.67 × 107 and 3.86 × 105, respectively, using the Ag/LCP composites. Noteworthy, in the latter case, the detection limit (0.024 ppm) achieved is lower than the maximal residue limit (MRL) of 5 ppm in fruit, as prescribed by European regulations (EU) 2016/1. Moreover, the selectivity of the SERS substrates for different pesticides was also evaluated, analyzing distinct pesticides such as paraquat and sodium diethyldithiocarbamate. SERS active Ag/LCP/PA filter membranes were also prepared using Ag/LCP composites supported by a polyamide (PA) filter, which can be an easy alternative to prepare simple, highly efficient and low-cost SERS active filter membranes for water analysis.

Spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics in water and sediments of a freshwater system (Antuã River, Portugal).

Microplastics (particles with a size<5mm), one of the most emerging aquatic pollutants, are of particular concern since they can reach high densities and interact with biotic and abiotic environment. The occurrence of microplastics in freshwater systems is less understood than in marine environment. Hence, the present study aims to provide new insights into microplastics abundances and distribution in Antuã River (Portugal) by applying the isolation method of wet peroxide oxidation with addition of zinc chloride to water and sediment samples collected in March and October 2016, in three sampling sites. The abundance of microplastics in water ranged from 5 to 8.3mgm-3 or 58-193itemsm-3 in March and from 5.8-51.7mgm-3 or 71-1265itemsm-3 in October. In sediments, the abundance ranged from 13.5-52.7mgkg-1 or 100-629itemskg-1 in March and from 2.6-71.4mgkg-1 or 18-514itemskg-1 in October. The water and sediment samples with the greatest abundances were from São João da Madeira and Aguincheira, respectively. Spatio-temporal distribution showed different pattern according to methodological approaches, seasonal and hydrodynamic conditions and the proximity to urban/industry areas. Analysis of plastics by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy underline polyethylene and polypropylene as the most common polymer types identified in this work. The low medium high oxidation ratio was 56:22:22 (%) in March and 61:31:8 (%) in October. Foams and fibers were the most abundant type in São João da Madeira, while fibers and fragments were the most abundant in Aguincheira and Estarreja in water and sediment samples, respectively. This study emphasizes the importance of rivers as carriage systems of microplastics. Further studies should be performed to identify point sources in order to mitigate the microplastics contamination in aquatic systems.

Overweight Risk and Food Habits in Portuguese Pre-school Children.

The relationship between dietary intake and overweight-risk was assessed in 4349 children aged 3-5 years. Eating and sedentary behaviours were assessed by questionnaire. Logistic regressions were used. Children who consumed daily soft-drinks were 1.52 times more likely to be obese, and 72% more likely to be classified as overweight children.

Maternal smoking in pregnancy association with childhood adiposity and blood pressure.

BACKGROUND: Maternal smoking during pregnancy has been associated with increased risk of childhood overweight/obesity defined by body mass index (BMI). We examined its association with a range of adiposity measures and cardiovascular indicators in children aged 3-10 years. METHODS: We used data from a cross-sectional study of schoolchildren across mainland Portuguese districts (2009-2010). We applied quantile regressions to examine maternal smoking associations with adiposity (n = 17 286), blood pressure (BP) and resting pulse rate (RPR) (n ≈ 2500) measures across the age range, adjusting for prenatal and early life factors. RESULTS: Maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with increases in offspring adiposity levels. The difference in median BMI between children of smokers and non-smokers was 0.39 kg m(-2) (95% confidence interval: 0.25, 0.53) in boys and 0.46 kg m(-2) (0.31, 0.62) in girls; 0.55 cm (0.24, 0.87) and 0.82 cm (0.45, 1.19), respectively, in median waist circumference; and 0.94 mm (0.49, 1.40) and 1.47 mm (0.87, 2.07) in median sum of (triceps, subscapular, suprailiac) skin-folds. The associations appeared to be stronger with increasing age. The differences in the 90th centile tended to be greater than those in median. There was no consistent association of maternal smoking with BP and RPR. CONCLUSIONS: Children whose mother smoked during pregnancy had higher adiposity levels than children of non-smokers, across several measures, particularly among older children. Although there was no consistent association with cardiovascular indicators, maternal smoking association with childhood obesity may have implications for cardiovascular risk factors over the life course.

Are the brains of monozygotic twins similar? A three-dimensional MR study.

PURPOSE: The role of genetic mechanisms and the influence of environmental events in human brain development have been difficult to evaluate. The purpose of this study was to compare the cerebral cortical morphology and midline structures of monozygotic twin pairs using MR imaging. METHODS: Six observers, blinded to twin pairings, evaluated the 3-D renderings of the cortical surface and midline structures from MR images of seven monozygotic twin pairs. A morphometric analysis of the corpus callosum and of the distance between the anterior and posterior commissures was also performed. RESULTS: Despite surprising anatomic differences, the brains of the twin pairs were similar enough to enable the observers to distinguish twin pairs from unrelated subjects. Five of six observers correctly identified the brains of all seven twin pairs; the remaining observer failed to make a correct match in only one of seven pairs. Three of six observers identified the midline sagittal images of the related twins in all seven pairs, and the other three identified the related midline sagittal images in five of seven pairs. The results were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Although the observed differences in morphologic characteristics between twins necessarily reflect nongenetic influences, the cortical patterns and midline structures of monozygotic twins probably are genetically similar.

Identification of GM3 as a marker of therapy-resistant periradicular lesions.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the profile of glycosphingolipids (GSLs) in periradicular lesions refractory to endodontic treatment. Sixteen periapical lesions were removed surgically from patients (experimental group) and compared with 10 samples of periodontal ligament removed from extracted intact third molars (control group). After the GSLs extraction and purification procedures were performed the neutral and acidic GSL fractions were analyzed by high-performance thin-layer chromatography and quantified by densitometry. Data reported herein show that: (i) tissues in the experimental group presented about twice as much GSLs as the control group; (ii) lesion tissues express lactoneotetraosylceramide, and lactofucopentaosyl (IV) ceramide, whereas these neutral GSLs are absent in normal tissues; and (iii) normal tissues express GT1b, whereas lesions cells do not express this ganglioside. In contrast lesion tissues express GM3, which is conspicuously absent in normal tissues.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) studies on 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol.

The surface-enhanced Raman (SER) spectrum of 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol was obtained using silver colloids. Comparison of the SER spectrum with the spectrum in solution and that of the solid are made. 1,1'-Bi-2-naphthol is thought to adsorb in a tilted position relative to the silver surface.

A pioneering experience in Brazil: the creation of a center for assistance and research for medical residents (NAPREME) at the Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo.

The decision to develop a treatment service for medical residents at Escola Paulista de Medicina was influenced by three main factors: the suicide of four young doctors (2 residents) at this institution between 1995 and 1996, a research study that investigated stress among medical residents and the experience of other countries in response to similar problems. NAPREME has the following objectives: to help to reduce stress among residents, stimulate professional and personal development, prevent professional dysfunction and emotional disorders, offer psychological treatment, assess the tutors of residency programmes and develop research programmes to better identify risk factors for emotional problems during the residency period. We hope that by doing this the overall quality of the residency programme will improve, both for the professionals and the patients.

Psychosocial indicators among aircraft maintenance workers with and without neck and shoulder musculoskeletal symptoms.

In the aircraft maintenance industry, most of workers performs manual handling tasks of different materials, varying from small objects up to large pieces of the aircraft. It can increase the occurrence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), which are strongly associated with high physical demands required by the task. Moreover, psychosocial demands are considered as risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders in both the upper limbs and lumbar spine. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess psychosocial indicators among aircraft maintenance workers according to the presence of neck and shoulder musculoskeletal symptoms. Eighty workers of an aircraft maintenance company were evaluated (32.69 ± 8.25 years, 79.8 ± 13.4 kg, 175 ± 7 cm). According to physical examination, 50 workers were classified as asymptomatic (AS - 4.1 ± 3.17 positive signs) whilst 30 workers were classified as symptomatic (SS - 26.72 ± 11.44 positive signs). AS and SS have shown similar profile of demand (p = 0.62), control (p = 0.66) and social support (p = 0.74) according to the Job Content Questionnaire. However, the groups are different when considering work engagement variables. In general, SS have higher scores than AS (p < 0.05).

Health-related quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and its relationship with cyclophosphamide pulse therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To examine health-related quality of life in Brazilian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and compare patients using cyclophosphamide (CP) pulse therapy with those who do not use it. METHODS: Patients with SLE using or not CP completed the SF-36 and SRQ-20 (psychological morbidity) questionnaire. The Lupus Activity Criteria Count (LAAC) assessed SLE disease activity. RESULTS: We studied 102 patients with SLE. The presence of psychological morbidity was associated with all the scores from SF-36. The physical component summary (PCS) of the SF-36 was significantly lower in patients with activity disease and the mental component summary (MCS) was significantly lower in the patients with psychological morbidity. Comparing patients using or not CP, it was not observed in a statistical significant difference in the 8 domains of the SF-36, nor in the PCS and MCS between the two groups. The prevalence of psychological morbidity evaluated by the SRQ-20 has not presented a statistical significant difference between the patients using or not CP. In the multivariate analysis, using the PCS and MCS as separate dependent variables, the most important variable associated with them was psychological morbidity. CONCLUSION: Cyclophosphamide pulse therapy does not worse health-related quality of life in patients with SLE. The presence of psychological distress is an important factor associated with worse quality of life.