Technological disasters in Asia: Epidemiological profile from the year 2000 to 2021.

BACKGROUND: Technological disasters in Asia have significant public health and environmental implications, but there is limited epidemiological analysis of these events. This study aims to characterize the epidemiological profile of technological disasters in Asia from 2000 to 2021, focusing on morbidity and mortality trends. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive observational analysis was conducted using data from emergency events database (EM-DAT), DesInventar, NatCAt, and Sigma. The study categorized disasters into transport, industrial, and miscellaneous accidents. Statistical analyses were used to examine frequencies, trends, and correlations among the different disaster types. RESULTS: From 2000 to 2021, Asia experienced 2333 technological disasters, with transport accidents being the most frequent (55.77%), followed by industrial (26.10%) and miscellaneous accidents (18.13%). The overall trend showed a statistically significant decrease in the frequency of these disasters and in average mortality and injury rates. The study highlighted the varying impact of different disaster types, with industrial accidents causing the highest fatality and affected rates despite being less frequent than transport accidents. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicates a declining trend in the frequency and severity of technological disasters in Asia, reflecting improved safety measures and disaster management. However, the high impact of industrial accidents underscores the need for targeted prevention strategies.

Luminescent Ln(III)-Metallopeptide Sensors for Monitoring Pseudomonas aeruginosa Elastase B Activity in Complex Biological Media.

The detection and monitoring of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its virulence factors, such as the LasB protease, are crucial for managing bacterial infections. Traditional fluorescent sensors for this protease face limitations in bacterial cultures due to interference from pigments like pyoverdine secreted by this opportunistic pathogen. We report here a Ln(III)-metallopeptide that combines a DO3A-Ln(III) complex and a sensitizing unit via a short peptide sequence as a simple, tunable, and selective probe for detecting P. aeruginosa's LasB. The probe's luminescence switches off in the presence of P. aeruginosa's secretome due to LasB cleavage but remains stable in other bacterial environments, such as non-LasB-secreting P. aeruginosa strains or E. coli cultures. It also resists degradation by other proteases, like human leukocyte elastase and trypsin, and remains stable in the presence of bioanalytes related to P. aeruginosa infections, such as glutathione, H2O2, and pyocyanin, and in complex media like FBS. Importantly, time-gated experiments completely remove the background fluorescence of P. aeruginosa pigments, thus demonstrating the potential of the developed Ln(III)-metallopeptide for real-time monitoring of LasB activity in bacterial cultures.

Disposition kinetics and bioavailability of doxycycline after parenteral administrations in ewes.

Doxycycline is a tetracycline, which have been marketed in different species for treating infections caused by susceptible bacteria. There is limited information on the disposition kinetics of this drug in ewes and this antimicrobial may be useful against several sheep pathogens that are common causes of morbidity and economic loss. Therefore, the aim of this work was to establish the pharmacokinetics of doxycycline after intravenous (IV) and extravascular (subcutaneous (SC) and intramuscular (IM)) administrations in this species. A cross-over model was designed (n = 6). Doxycycline was dosed at 5 mg/kg for IV administration and 20 mg/kg for extravascular administrations. Non-compartmental pharmacokinetic methods were used to calculate plasma concentration-time data. The value of apparent volume of distribution (Vz) suggests a moderate distribution of this antibiotic in sheep, with a value of 0.84 L/kg. The maximum concentrations achieved after extravascular administrations (Cmax) were similar, with no significant differences between the two routes of administration (IM and SC). However, doxycycline absorption was slower after SC administration than after IM administration, taking twice as long to reach maximum plasma concentration (tmax). Bioavailabilities after extravascular routes of administration were low and after IM administration doxycycline caused lameness in all animals. Therefore, the SC administration showed a better profile with respect to pharmacokinetic properties and safety. Future studies on the susceptibility of isolated sheep pathogens to doxycycline are needed to establish appropriate dosing regimens.

Climate change and antibiotic resistance: A scoping review.

This scoping review aimed to investigate the potential association between climate change and the rise of antibiotic resistance while also exploring the elements of climate change that may be involved. A scoping review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews, comprehensively searching scientific literature up to 31 January 2024. Multiple databases were utilized, including MEDLINE, Web of Science and SCOPUS. Various search strategies were employed, and selection criteria were established to include articles relevant to antibiotic resistance and climate change. The review included 30 selected articles published predominantly after 2019. Findings from these studies collectively suggest that rising temperatures associated with climate change can contribute to the proliferation of antibiotic resistance, affecting diverse ecosystems. This phenomenon is observed in soil, glaciers, rivers and clinical settings. Rising temperatures are associated with a rise in the prevalence of antibiotic resistance across various environments, raising concerns for global health. However, these studies provide valuable insights but do not establish a definitive causal link between environmental temperature and antibiotic resistance. The selective pressure exerted by antibiotics and their residues in ecosystems further complicates the issue.

Separation of oxygen from nitrogen using a graphdiyne membrane: a quantum-mechanical study.

Efficient separation of oxygen and nitrogen from air is a process of great importance for many industrial and medical applications. Two-dimensional (2D) membranes are very promising materials for separation of gases, as they offer enhanced mass transport due to their smallest atomic thickness. In this work, we examine the capacity of graphdiyne (GDY), a new 2D carbon allotrope with regular subnanometric pores, for separating oxygen (16O2) from nitrogen (14N2). A quantum-mechanical model has been applied to the calculation of the transmission probabilities and permeances of these molecules through GDY using force fields based on accurate electronic structure computations. It is found that the 16O2/14N2 selectivity (ratio of permeances) is quite high (e.g., about 106 and 102 at 100 and 300 K, respectively), indicating that GDY can be useful for separation of these species, even at room temperature. This is mainly due to the N2 transmission barrier (∼0.37 eV) which is considerably higher than the O2 one (∼0.25 eV). It is also found that molecular motions are quite confined inside the GDY pores and that, as a consequence, quantum effects (zero-point energy) are significant in the studied processes. Finally, we explore the possibility of 18O2/16O2 isotopologue separation due to these mass-dependent quantum effects, but it is found that the process is not practical since reasonable selectivities are concomitant with extremely small permeances.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Dermatoscopy Versus Microbiological Culture and Polymerase Chain Reaction in the Diagnosis of Onychomycosis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Several clinical signs in dermatoscopy are very characteristic of onychomycosis and can be a quick complement for the diagnosis of onychomycosis. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of dermatoscopy compared to microbiological culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), as well as the clinical signs associated with onychomycosis. METHODS: The clinical signs of 125 patients were assessed cross-sectionally using dermatoscopy, and a positive or negative result was assigned. A sample was then taken for PCR and microbiological culture. RESULTS: Of the 125 patients, 69.6% (87/125) had positive results when both laboratory tests were combined. When they were not combined, the prevalence was lower at 48% (60/125) with PCR and at 43.2% (54/125) with culture. Furthermore, 76.8% (96/125) were classified as positive with dermatoscopy with a sensitivity of 1, a specificity of 0.76, positive predictive value of 0.91 and negative predictive value of 1 (with 95% confidence intervals). Of the 96 dermatoscopy-positive samples, 36 were negative with PCR (p < 0.001), 42 were negative with culture (p < 0.001) and nine were negative when both tests were combined (p < 0.001). Clinical signs that were significantly associated with the presence of onychomycosis were subungual hyperkeratosis (dermatoscopy: p = 0.004, odds ratio (OR) = 2.438; PCR + microbiological culture: p = 0.004, OR = 3.221), subungual detritus (p = 0.033, OR = 3.01, only with dermatoscopy) and dermatophytoma (dermatoscopy: p = 0.049, OR = 3.02; PCR + microbiological culture: p = 0.022, OR = 2.40). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that dermatoscopy is a good tool for the diagnosis of onychomycosis but should be used as a complementary test or for screening patients to be sampled for laboratory testing. The combination of the three tests can lead to a reduction of false-positive and false-negative clinical and laboratory results. This allows for early diagnosis and specific treatment based on test results.

Comparison of CellRox green fluorescence upon thawing on in vitro Bos taurus and Bos indicus embryos cryopreserved by slow freezing or vitrification.

The aim of this study was to compare the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Bos taurus and Bos indicus in vitro embryos cryopreserved using either slow freezing or vitrification. Embryos were divided into four groups based on subspecies and freezing method: Bos indicus slow freezing (BiSF; n = 8), Bos indicus vitrification (BiVT; n = 10), Bos taurus slow freezing (BtSF; n = 9), and Bos taurus vitrification (BtVT; n = 6). After thawing, the embryos were incubated with CellRox Green and images were obtained using a confocal microscope. The fluorescence intensity of each cell was measured and expressed as arbitrary units of fluorescence (auf) and compared using a multiple regression and unpaired t-test with α = 0.05. Results showed that subspecies and the freezing method significantly affected auf (P < 0.001; R2 = 0.1213). Bos indicus embryos had higher auf than Bos taurus embryos, whether frozen by slow freezing (67.05 ± 23.18 vs 51.30 ± 16.84, P < 0.001) or vitrification (64.44 ± 23.32 vs 47.86 ± 17.53, P < 0.001). Slow freezing induced higher auf than vitrification in both Bos taurus (51.30 ± 16.84 vs 47.86 ± 17.53, P < 0.001) and Bos indicus (67.05 ± 23.18 vs 64.44 ± 23.32, P < 0.014). In conclusion, Bos taurus embryos had lower ROS levels when frozen using vitrification, while Bos indicus embryos had consistent ROS patterns regardless of the freezing method. However, Bos indicus embryos frozen by slow freezing tended to have a higher number of cells with elevated ROS levels.

Atomoxetine on neurogenic orthostatic hypotension: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial.

PURPOSE: We previously reported that single doses of the norepinephrine transporter inhibitor, atomoxetine, increased standing blood pressure (BP) and ameliorated symptoms in patients with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH). We aimed to evaluate the effect of atomoxetine over four weeks in patients with nOH. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial between July 2016 and May 2021 was carried out with an initial open-label, single-dose phase (10 or 18 mg atomoxetine), followed by a 1-week wash-out, and a subsequent double-blind 4-week treatment sequence (period 1: atomoxetine followed by placebo) or vice versa (period 2). The trial included a 2-week wash-out period. The primary endpoint was symptoms of nOH as measured by the orthostatic hypotension questionnaire (OHQ) assessed at 2 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 68 patients were screened, 40 were randomized, and 37 completed the study. We found no differences in the OHQ composite score between atomoxetine and placebo at 2 weeks (-0.3 ± 1.7 versus -0.4 ± 1.5; P = 0.806) and 4 weeks (-0.6 ± 2.4 versus -0.5 ± 1.6; P = 0.251). There were no differences either in the OHSA scores at 2 weeks (3 ± 1.9 versus 4 ± 2.1; P = 0.062) and at 4 weeks (3 ± 2.2 versus 3 ± 2.0; P = 1.000) or in the OH daily activity scores (OHDAS) at 2 weeks (4 ± 3.0 versus 5 ± 3.1, P = 0.102) and 4 weeks (4 ± 3.0 versus 4 ± 2.7, P = 0.095). Atomoxetine was well-tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: While previous evidence suggested that acute doses of atomoxetine might be efficacious in treating nOH; results of this clinical trial indicated that it was not superior to placebo to ameliorate symptoms of nOH. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT02316821.

Cantharidin (1%), podophyllin (5%), and salicylic acid (30%) formulation in recalcitrant plantar warts: Analysis of 48 patients.

A plantar wart is a benign hyperplasia that appears on the feet due to the human papillomavirus (HPV). One method used for the treatment of recalcitrant plantar warts, those lasting over 2 years or persisting after at least two treatment attempts, is the cantharidin (1%), podophyllin (5%), and salicylic acid (30%) formulation, also known as the CPS formulation. Although this method is in use, there are few studies on it. This study's objective was to ascertain its cure rate. For this retrospective observational study, we reviewed the medical records of patients treated with the CPS formulation at a podiatric clinic specializing in plantar wart treatment. Our sample size was 48 subjects. The CPS formulation had a cure rate of 62.5%. Out of the cured patients, 86.67% (26/30) required one or two applications. There was no observable correlation (p > 0.05) between wart resolution and virus biotype, evolution time, patient's morphological and clinical attributes, location, number of warts, or preceding treatments. The CPS formulation presents a relatively high efficacy rate for treating recalcitrant HPV plantar warts. Still, additional studies are necessary to evaluate its safety and efficiency.

Magnetism of metastable γ-Fe85Pd15 nanowire arrays across an unusually broad temperature range (5 K to 800 K).

Arrays of 50 nm diameter Fe85Pd15 cylindrical nanowires were electrochemically grown, crystallizing in a metastable γ-Fe(Pd) fcc A1 disordered solid solution. After performing a heating-cooling thermal cycle between 300 K and 1000 K, the γ-Fe(Pd) fcc metastable phase still predominates (97%), coexisting with a not-fully-identified minority phase. The thermal cycling induces a moderate increase in the crystallite size and a reduction of the lattice parameter although leading to a significant heating-cooling magnetic hysteresis. No further changes in temperature-dependent magnetization, M(T), are observed during subsequent cycling. The full-range (5 K to 800 K) saturation magnetization Ms(T) curve is quite accurately described by a phenomenological expression, which provides a Bloch-type contribution as T → 0 and undergoes the critical behavior near the Curie temperature TC. An upturn in Ms(T) is observed below 100 K which is described by a spin-glass-like second contribution, with freezing temperature Tf = (80 ± 2) K, and kBTf comparable to the exchange interactions in Fe-Pd systems. A Curie temperature of TC = 830 K, and a critical exponent value ß = 0.42 ± 0.05 are estimated. These regimes (below and above 100 K) are also observed in the magnetization process. The temperature dependence of coercivity between 100 K and 800 K is consistent with a nucleation/propagation remagnetization mechanism, with activation energy of (320 ± 20) kJ mol-1 and critical field for magnetization reversal of (65 ± 1) mT, at 0 K. The analysis of the effective magnetic anisotropy as a function of temperature allows us to conclude that it essentially arises from the balance between different magnetostatic contributions.

New insights into the magnetism and magnetic structure of LuCrO3 perovskite.

A polycrystalline sample LuCrO3 has been characterized by neutron powder diffraction (NPD) and magnetization measurements. Its crystal structure has been Rietveld refined from NPD data in space group Pnma; this perovskite contains strongly tilted CrO6 octahedra with extremely bent Cr-O-Cr superexchange angles of ∼142°. The NPD data show that below Néel temperature (TN ≃ 131 K), the magnetic structure can be defined as an A-type antiferromagnetic arrangement of Cr3+ magnetic moments, aligned along the b axis, with a canting along the c axis. A noticeable magnetostrictive effect is observed in the unit-cell parameters and volume upon cooling down across TN. The AC magnetic susceptibility indicates the onset of magnetic ordering below 112.6 K; the magnetization isotherms below TN show a nonlinear behaviour that is associated with the described canting of the Cr3+ magnetic moments. From the Curie-Weiss law, the effective moment of the Cr3+ sublattice is found to be µeff = 3.55 µB (calculated 3.7 µB) while the ΘCW parameter yields a value of -155 K, indicating antiferromagnetic interactions. There is a conspicuous increase of TN upon the application of external pressure, which must be due to shortening of the Cr-O bond length under compression that increases the orbital overlap integral.

Hemoglobin Oviedo (c.115A > G; p.T39A): A Cause of Low Oxygen Saturation.

We report a new low-affinity hemoglobinopathy (Hemoglobin Oviedo) in a family with isolated low oxygen saturation (89-92%) caused by a previously undescribed variant (NM_000518.5: c.115A > G;p.Thr39Ala) in the hemoglobin subunit ß encoding gene (HBB gene) located on chromosome 11.

Prevalence and impact of multidrug-resistant bacteria in solid cancer patients with bloodstream infection: a 25-year trend analysis.

The study aimed to describe the epidemiology of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria among solid cancer (SC) patients with bloodstream infections (BSIs), evaluating inappropriate empiric antibiotic treatment (IEAT) use and mortality trends over a 25-year period. All BSI occurrences in adult SC patients at a university hospital were analyzed across five distinct five-year intervals. MDR bacteria were classified as extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL)-producing and/or Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) resistant to at least three antibiotic classes, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci. A multivariate regression model identified the risk factors for MDR BSI. Of 6,117 BSI episodes, Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) constituted 60.4% (3,695/6,117), being the most common are Escherichia coli with 26.8% (1,637/6,117), Klebsiella spp. with 12.4% (760/6,117), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with 8.6% (525/6,117). MDR-GNB accounted for 644 episodes (84.8% of MDR or 644/759), predominantly ESBL-producing strains (71.1% or 540/759), which escalated significantly over time. IEAT was administered in 24.8% of episodes, mainly in MDR BSI, and was associated with higher mortality (22.9% vs. 14%, P < 0.001). Independent factors for MDR BSI were prior antibiotic use [odds ratio (OR) 2.93, confidence interval (CI) 2.34-3.67], BSI during antibiotic treatment (OR 1.46, CI 1.18-1.81), biliary (OR 1.84, CI 1.34-2.52) or urinary source (OR 1.86, CI 1.43-2.43), admission period (OR) 1.28, CI 1.18-1.38, and community-acquired infection (OR 0.57, CI 0.39-0.82). The study showed an increase in MDR-GNB among SC patients with BSI. A quarter received IEAT, which was linked to increased mortality. Improving risk assessment for MDR infections and the judicious prescription of empiric antibiotics are crucial for better outcomes. IMPORTANCE: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria pose a global public health threat as they are more challenging to treat, and they are on the rise. Solid cancer patients are often immunocompromised due to their disease and cancer treatments, making them more susceptible to infections. Understanding the changes and trends in bloodstream infections in solid cancer patients is crucial, to help physicians make informed decisions about appropriate antibiotic therapies, manage infections in this vulnerable population, and prevent infection. Solid cancer patients often require intensive and prolonged treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Infections can complicate these treatments, leading to treatment delays, increased healthcare costs, and poorer patient outcomes. Investigating new strategies to combat MDR infections and researching novel antibiotics in these patients is of paramount importance to avoid these negative impacts.

Early identification of the nosocomial spread of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and performance comparison with PFGE and WGS.

Early detection of disseminating vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) in ICU wards is crucial for outbreak identification and the implementation of prompt infection control measures. Genotypic methods like pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) are costly and time-consuming, hindering rapid response due to batch dependency. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) offers the potential for real-time outbreak detection and reliable strain typing. We utilized FT-IR to identify clonal VREfm dissemination and compared its performance to PFGE and WGS. Between February through October 2023, an unusually high number of VREfm were recovered at a tertiary hospital in Barcelona. Isolates were examined for antimicrobial susceptibility, carriage of vanA/vanB genes and clonality was also studied using FT-IR, PFGE, and WGS. Routine FT-IR inspections revealed recurring VREfm clustering during the outbreak's initial weeks. In total, 104 isolates were recovered from 75 patients and from multiple wards. However, only one isolate was recovered from an environmental sample, suggesting the absence of environmental reservoirs. An ST80 vancomycin-resistant (vanA) E. faecium strain was the main strain responsible for the outbreak, although a few additional VREfm strains were also identified, all belonging to CC17. PFGE and cgMLST (WGS) yielded identical clustering results to FT-IR, and WGS confirmed vanA/vanB gene carriage in all VREfm isolates. Infection control measures led to a rapid decline in VREfm isolates, with no isolates detected in November. FT-IR spectroscopy offers rapid turnaround times, sensitivity, and reproducibility, comparable to standard typing methods. It proved as an effective tool for monitoring VREfm dissemination and early outbreak detection.

Physical Activity and Subjective Vitality in Female University Students: The Mediating Role of Decisional Balance and Enjoyment of the Activity.

Regular physical activity (PA) improves the psychological well-being of those who practice it. However, female university students are a risk group due to their low level of PA. Based on the transtheoretical model of behavioural change, the main aim of this study was to examine whether the relationship between PA and subjective vitality was mediated by cognitive-emotional variables such as decisional balance (perceived benefits and barriers) and enjoyment associated with PA in a group of female university students. Participants were asked to complete self-administered questionnaires, which were available for one month via a Google Form. The results showed the existence of a statistically significant, relative, and indirect effect between the stage of change and subjective vitality via both mediating variables. Compared to females in the pre-contemplation stage, those in the action and maintenance stages achieved higher subjective vitality scores as a result of the effect of being in a more advanced stage on decisional balance and enjoyment of PA. It is concluded that female university students who reported regular PA found the activity to be more revitalising, stimulating, and exciting; all positive feelings and cognitions that translated into a more energetic and vital perception of themselves.

Pharmacokinetics of Doxycycline in Plasma and Milk after Intravenous and Intramuscular Administration in Dairy Goats.

Doxycycline is a second-generation tetracycline, marketed in different species for treating infections caused by susceptible bacteria. Little information is available on the pharmacokinetics of doxycycline in lactating goats. The objective of this study was to establish the disposition kinetics of doxycycline after parenteral administration (intravenous and intramuscular) in dairy goats and its elimination in milk. A cross-over model was designed (n = 6). Doxycycline was dosed at 5 mg/kg for intravenous administration and 20 mg/kg for extravascular administrations. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic methods were used to calculate plasma concentration-time data. The Vz value suggests a moderate distribution of this antibiotic in goats, with a value of 0.85 L/kg. A low bioavailability (F = 45.60%) of doxycycline following an intramuscular injection was observed, with all animals exhibiting signs of lameness. Doxycycline rapidly crossed the blood-milk barrier, but exposure to the antimicrobial and the concentrations reached in milk were lower than those obtained in plasma. Although PK/PD ratios may be low with the pharmacokinetic data obtained with this formulation of doxycycline, at this dose and route of administration, doxycycline after IM administration could be useful for infections by moderate or highly susceptible bacteria in the mammary gland of goats. However, it may be necessary to test different doses of doxycycline or other routes of administration to achieve better surrogate markers and to establish repeated dosing regimens and clinical efficacy.

Determining the Best Noninvasive Test for Peripheral Arterial Disease Diagnosis to Predict Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing in Patients Following Endovascular Revascularization.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To analyze the best noninvasive tests prognosis marker in patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) who underwent endovascular revascularization based on clinical outcomes, such as healing rate, time to heal, and free amputation survival after at least a six-month follow-up. METHODS: A multicentric prospective observational study was performed with 28 participants with ischemic or neuroischemic DFU who came to the participant centers and underwent endovascular revascularization between January 2022 and March 2023. Toe systolic pressure (TP), ankle systolic pressure (AP), the ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI), the toe brachial pressure index (TBPI), transcutaneous pressure of oxygen (TcPO2), and skin perfusion pressure (SPP) were evaluated using PeriFlux 6000 System, Perimed, Sweden, before (Visit 0) and four weeks after revascularization (Visit 1). The primary clinical outcome was an evaluation of the clinical evolution of noninvasive tests comparing Visit 0 and Visit 1, estimating the sensitivity for predicting wound healing of noninvasive tests at six months following initial recruitment. RESULTS: After six months, 71.43% (n = 20) of DFU healed, four patients (14.3%) received major amputations, and one (3.5%) died. The two tests that best predicted wound healing after revascularization according to the ROC curve were TcPO2 and TP with sensitivities of 0.89 and 0.70 for the cut-off points of 24 mmHg and 46 mmHg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: TcPO2 and TP were the two tests that best predicted wound healing in patients who underwent endovascular revascularization. Clinicians should consider the importance of the evaluation of microcirculation in the healing prognosis of patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

HBeeID: a molecular tool that identifies honey bee subspecies from different geographic populations.

BACKGROUND: Honey bees are the principal commercial pollinators. Along with other arthropods, they are increasingly under threat from anthropogenic factors such as the incursion of invasive honey bee subspecies, pathogens and parasites. Better tools are needed to identify bee subspecies. Genomic data for economic and ecologically important organisms is increasing, but in its basic form its practical application to address ecological problems is limited. RESULTS: We introduce HBeeID a means to identify honey bees. The tool utilizes a knowledge-based network and diagnostic SNPs identified by discriminant analysis of principle components and hierarchical agglomerative clustering. Tests of HBeeID showed that it identifies African, Americas-Africanized, Asian, and European honey bees with a high degree of certainty even when samples lack the full 272 SNPs of HBeeID. Its prediction capacity decreases with highly admixed samples. CONCLUSION: HBeeID is a high-resolution genomic, SNP based tool, that can be used to identify honey bees and screen species that are invasive. Its flexible design allows for future improvements via sample data additions from other localities.

Influence of Fractures and Dislocations in Severity of Rocker-Bottom Deformity in Patients with Charcot Foot.

The objective of this study was to identify bone fractures and joint dislocations that have greater association with the severity of arch collapse in patients with Charcot foot involving the midfoot.A retrospective study in 28 (N = 29 feet) patients who had Charcot foot deformity of the midfoot. The study included stage III of Eichenholtz classification, and Schon classification types I to III. Talar-first metatarsal and calcaneal pitch angles and cuboid height were used to evaluate the severity of the midfoot deformity in a weightbearing lateral radiograph. Two investigators evaluated the bone fracture and joint dislocation involved in weightbearing antero-posterior and lateral radiographs.There were 13 (46%) feet that showed pattern 1, 9 (31%) feet with pattern 2, and 7 (25%) feet with pattern 3 according to the Schon classification. One foot had a combination of patterns 1 and 2. Midfoot ulceration occurred in 64% (n = 19) of feet. In the multivariate analysis, plantarflexion of talar-first metatarsal angle was predicted by navicular-medial cuneiform dislocation (p = .007 [-20.620-3.683]), an increase of the negative calcaneal pitch angle by fragmentation of the cuboid (p = .003 [-15.568-3.626]), and increment of the negative cuboid height by navicular-medial cuneiform and medial cuneiform-first metatarsal dislocations (p = .040 [-12.779-0.317], p = .002 [-13.437-3.267], respectively).Bone fractures and dislocations in the sagittal plane seem to contribute to midfoot collapse, but navicular-medial cuneiform dislocation/non-union and cuboid fragmentation predict severe rocker-bottom deformity in cases of Charcot foot.

Enhanced Electrocatalysis on Copper Nanostructures: Role of the Oxidation State in Sulfite Oxidation.

The influence of surface morphology and the oxidation state on the electrocatalytic activity of nanostructured electrodes is well recognized, yet disentangling their individual roles in specific reactions remains challenging. Here, we investigated the electrooxidation of sulfite ions in an alkaline environment using cyclic voltammetry on copper oxide nanostructured electrodes with different oxidation states and morphologies but with similar active areas. To this aim, we synthesized nanostructured Cu films made of nanoparticles or nanorods on top of glassy carbon electrodes. Our findings showed an enhanced sensitivity and a lower detection threshold when utilizing Cu(I) over Cu(II). Density functional theory-based thermochemical analysis revealed the underlying oxidation mechanism, indicating that while the energy gain associated with the process is comparable for both oxide surfaces, the desorption energy barrier for the resulting sulfate molecules is three times higher on Cu(II). This becomes the limiting step of the reaction kinetics and diminishes the overall electrooxidation efficiency. Our proposed mechanism relies on the tautomerization of hydroxyl groups confined on the surface of Cu-based electrodes. This mechanism might be applicable to electrochemical reactions involving other sulfur compounds that hold technological significance.