A Study of Zn-Ca Nanocomposites and Their Antibacterial Properties.

This study aimed to develop Ca2+ doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) and investigate their antibacterial properties against microorganisms of dental interest. Zn-Ca NPs were synthesized by the sol-gel method with different concentrations of Ca2+ (1, 3, and 5 wt. %) and subsequently characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The Kirby-Bauer method was used to measure antibacterial effects. NPs showed the wurzite phase of ZnO and bandgap energies (Eg) from 2.99 to 3.04 eV. SEM analysis showed an average particle size of 80 to 160 nm. The treatments that presented the best antibacterial activity were Zn-Ca 3% and Zn-Ca 5%. ZnO NPs represent an alternative to generate and improve materials with antibacterial capacity for dental applications.

Effective Gold Biosorption by Electrospun and Electrosprayed Bio-composites with Immobilized Lysinibacillus sphaericus CBAM5.

Electro-hydrodynamic processing, comprising electrospinning and electrospraying techniques, is a novel technology used in the production of nano- and sub-micro-scale materials with specific properties suitable for environmental remediation processes. Polycaprolactone (PCL) micro-fibrous mats and alginate microcapsules were produced using electrospinning and electrospraying techniques respectively, and Lysinibacillus sphaericus CBAM5, a bacterium capable of metal removal by adsorption and accumulation inside the cell, was immobilized in these matrices. The polymeric structure was able to protect and maintain cell viability and the bio-composite materials were used to capture gold from synthetic water samples. The micro-fibrous membranes with immobilized bacteria were able to remove 93% of the gold after 120 h of inclusion in the aqueous medium. Using a filtration system, an efficiency of 64% was obtained for the removal of the precious metal after 10 cycles of filtration (2 h of exposure to the gold solution). In contrast, the microencapsulated L. sphaericus CBAM5 captured 64% of the gold after 4 h of the assay. Thus, both micro-structured matrices were suitable for the immobilization and protection of L. sphaericus CBAM5 and they showed high efficiencies of gold biosorption. Hence, these bio-composite materials could be used to concentrate gold from industrial wastewaters.

A Global Deal For Nature: Guiding principles, milestones, and targets.

The Global Deal for Nature (GDN) is a time-bound, science-driven plan to save the diversity and abundance of life on Earth. Pairing the GDN and the Paris Climate Agreement would avoid catastrophic climate change, conserve species, and secure essential ecosystem services. New findings give urgency to this union: Less than half of the terrestrial realm is intact, yet conserving all native ecosystems-coupled with energy transition measures-will be required to remain below a 1.5°C rise in average global temperature. The GDN targets 30% of Earth to be formally protected and an additional 20% designated as climate stabilization areas, by 2030, to stay below 1.5°C. We highlight the 67% of terrestrial ecoregions that can meet 30% protection, thereby reducing extinction threats and carbon emissions from natural reservoirs. Freshwater and marine targets included here extend the GDN to all realms and provide a pathway to ensuring a more livable biosphere.

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and polyhydroxybutyrate nanocomposites of interest in antimicrobial applications.

This study deals with the optimization and scaling up of the production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), PHB, nanocomposites containing biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to generate materials with antimicrobial performance. First, a comparative study of the chemical and biological synthesis of AgNPs during the fermentation process of Cupriavidus necator at shake flask-scale was carried out. These experiments demonstrated the inherent capacity of C. necator to reduce the silver salt and produce AgNPs without the need for adding a reducing agent and, that the method of synthesis (with or without reducing agent) affects the dispersion of the AgNPs and their antimicrobial performance. Finally, the process was scaled-up to a 10Liters bioreactor and the relevant physical properties of the PHB-AgNPs nanocomposites pressed into films were determined. From the characterization work, the AgNPs were found to be well dispersed and distributed into the polymer matrix, having a maximum frequency of particles with average diameter of 76-95nm. Moreover, the presence of AgNPs did not cause any effect on the thermal properties of the biopolymer, although a slight reduction in crystallinity was seen. The developed materials presented a strong antimicrobial activity against the food-borne pathogens Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes, which makes them potentially suitable for active coatings and packaging applications. Complete biodisintegration of the samples occurred during composting conditions within the first 40days. Interestingly, the presence of the AgNPs did not impair the profile of biodegradation of the microbial polymer.

Efficacy of Cinnamaldehyde Against Enteric Viruses and Its Activity After Incorporation Into Biodegradable Multilayer Systems of Interest in Food Packaging.

Cinnamaldehyde (CNMA), an organic compound that gives cinnamon its flavor and odor, was investigated for its virucidal activity on norovirus surrogates, murine norovirus (MNV) and feline calicivirus (FCV), and hepatitis A virus (HAV). Initially, different concentrations of CNMA (0.1, 0.5 and 1 %) were individually mixed with each virus at titers of ca. 6-7 log10 TCID50/ml and incubated 2 h at 4 and 37 °C. CNMA was effective in reducing the titers of norovirus surrogates in a dose-dependent manner after 2 h at 37 °C, while HAV titers were reduced by 1 log10 after treatment with 1 % of CNMA. When incubation time was extended, HAV titers were reduced by 3.4 and 2.7 log10 after overnight incubation at 37 °C with 1 and 0.5 % of CNMA, respectively. Moreover, this paper analyzed, for the first time, the antiviral activity of adding an active electrospun interlayer based on zein and CNMA to a polyhydroxybutyrate packaging material (PHB) in a multilayer form. Biodegradable multilayer systems prepared with 2.60 mg/cm(2) (~9.7 %) of CNMA completely inactivated FCV according to ISO 22196:2011, while MNV titers were reduced by 2.75 log10. When the developed multilayer films were evaluated after one month of preparation or at 25 °C, the antiviral activity was reduced as compared to freshly prepared multilayer films evaluated at 37 °C. The results show the excellent potential of this system for food contact applications as well as for active packaging technologies in order to maintain or extend food quality and safety.

Prevalence of premature ovarian failure in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of premature ovarian failure (POF) and its associated factors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Cross-sectional study including consecutive SLE women <60 years of age attending a rheumatology clinic. A face-to-face interview was undertaken to obtain demographic, gynaecological and lupus characteristics. Additional rheumatologic and endocrine data were retrieved from patients' medical records. POF prevalence was estimated in the study sample and in a subgroup of patients aged <40 years at interview. Associations between POF and selected variables were assessed by logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 961 patients were analysed. Prevalence of POF, secondary amenorrhea of known cause, menopause and hysterectomy were 5.4%, 0.8%, 7.8% and 4.4%, respectively. In 674 (70%) patients who had not been exposed to cyclophosphamide (CYC) the prevalence of POF was 0.6%. Disease activity over time (OR 1.4 (CI 95% 1.0-1.8, p < 0.05)) and CYC treatment (OR 5.9 (CI 95% 1.8-18.8, p < 0.01)) were associated with higher prevalence. Association between POF and endocrine autoimmune diseases was not found. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of CYC treatment, the prevalence of POF in lupus patients is consistent with that reported in the general population. The existence of autoimmune processes at the ovary seems unlikely in most lupus patients.

Stabilization of antimicrobial silver nanoparticles by a polyhydroxyalkanoate obtained from mixed bacterial culture.

The incorporation of antimicrobials into polymer matrices is a promising technology in the food packaging and biomedical areas. Among the most widely used antimicrobials, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have emerged as one of the most researched technologies to prevent microbial outbreaks. However, it is known that AgNPs are rather unstable and present patterns of agglomeration that might limit their application. In this work, AgNPs were produced by chemical reduction in suspensions of an unpurified poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV) which was previously obtained from a mixed culture fermentation using a synthetic medium mimicking fermented cheese whey. The synthesis of AgNPs was carried out within the unpurified PHBV suspension (in situ) and by physical mixing (mix). The stability of crystalline and spherical nanoparticles (7±3nm) obtained in situ was found to be stable during at least 40 days. The results suggest that the unpurified PHBV appears to be a very efficient capping agent, preventing agglomeration and, thereby, stabilizing successfully the silver nanoparticles. The in situ obtained AgNP-PHBV materials were also found to exhibit a strong antibacterial activity against Salmonella enterica at low concentration (0.1-1ppm).

Assisted reproductive technologies in Italy, 2005-2007: results from the Italian Assisted Reproductive Technologies Register.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the quantitative and qualitative outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies in Italy, from 2005 to 2007, collected by the Italian Assisted Reproductive Technologies Register (IARTR). METHODS: We analyzed, retrospectively, 121,708 ART treatments performed by Italian assisted reproductive technologies (ART) centres from 2005 to 2007. RESULTS: In the study period ART Italian centers were reporting data to the IARTR. Number of total cycles (all homologous) reported was 121,708 including 110,074 fresh (FRESH), 8682 frozen/thawed oocytes (FO) and 2952 frozen embryo (FER). Pregnancy rates per cycle with respect to FRESH, FO and FER treatments were 19.1%, 10.2% and 15%, respectively. Delivery rate per cycle with at least one live birth was 10.8%, 5.8% and 8.4%, respectively, per type of procedure. Twin and "triplet or more" birth rate per delivery was 21% and 2.8%; 12% and 0.4%; 14.9% and 0.8%, respectively. During the study period 15923 ART infants were born (0.95% of all newborn in Italy). CONCLUSION: From 2005 to 2007 we registered a strong increase in ART procedures concomitantly with a qualitative improvement leading to increased pregnancy and live birth rates per cycles. Remarkably, pregnancy loss to follow-up decreased drastically during the three years study-period.

Analysis of oocyte cryopreservation in assisted reproduction: the Italian National Register data from 2005 to 2007.

This paper reports on oocyte cryopreservation efficacy in Italy with respect to successful IVF from 2005 to 2007, presenting data from 193 centres collected by the Italian National Register. Post-thawing survival rates, number of transferred embryos, implantation rates and clinical pregnancy rates per transfer with respect to frozen/vitrified oocytes (FVO) were analysed. These numbers were compared with those obtained using frozen embryos or fresh oocytes. A total of 121,708 cycles were initiated, of which, 7.1% (8682) were FVO cycles and 2.4% (2952) were frozen embryo cycles. Of the 81,786 FVO, 52.5% (42,917) were thawed and 26.9% (22,005) inseminated. Of those inseminated, 68.0% (14,966) yielded good embryos. These numbers were significantly lower than those using fresh oocytes in which 77.9% (197,242; fresh oocytes versus FVO P<0.001) of inseminated oocytes generated good embryos. Implantation rate using FVO was 6.9%, which was significantly lower than that using fresh oocytes (13.5%; P<0.001) and frozen embryos (8.8%; P<0.001). Pregnancy rate per transfer using FVO was 12.5% and significantly lower than that using fresh oocytes (24.9%; P<0.001) or frozen embryos (16.4%; P<0.001). There were 505 deliveries after IVF with FVO and 582 babies.

Monitoreo de DDI en el Noroeste de la provincia de Santa Cruz

Un total de 807 alumnos de escolaridad primaria, de ambos sexos, fue estudiado en este monitoreo de bocio endémico en dos localidades del noroeste de la provincia de Santa Cruz: Perito Moreno (407 niños) y Los Antiguos (400 niños). La edad de los escolares osciló entre 6 y 15 años. La palpación tiroidea fue hecha por el conjunto de los médicos participantes. Sin embargo, con la finalidad de aunar criterios con lo realizado previamente (1-17), se tomó como única referencia la palpación de H.N., que se llevó a cabo en la totalidad de los niños estudiados. La definición del grado de bocio fue similar a la utilizada en los otros relevamientos (1). Se determinó la yoduria en muestras casuales de orina emitidas por los niños una vez que fueron palpados (149 de Perito Moreno y 88 de Los Antiguos). Se midió el contenido de yodo en 357 muestras de sal de consumo hogareño de Perito Moreno y en 329 de Los Antiguos. El examen palpatorio de los niños reveló la existencia de bocio grado 1 solamente. La prevalencia de bocio encontrada fue de 4,7 % en Perito Moreno y de 3,5 % en Los Antiguos. Los niveles de yoduria alcanzaron, en Perito Moreno, una media de 124±78,5(DS)μg/L y una mediana de 107μg/L, al tiempo que en Los Antiguos la media fue de 175±96μg/L y la mediana de 165μg/L. El contenido de yodo de las sales que aportaron los alumnos, si bien varió según la marca de sal utilizada, tuvieron un nivel relativamente adecuado de yodo en aquellas de consumo masivo. De esta manera, observamos que en la localidad de Perito Moreno el promedio de yodo en la sal, tomada en conjunto, fue de 32,9 ± 9,5 mg/Kg, mientras que para Los Antiguos fue de 28,9 ± 9,6 mg/Kg. Al analizar las concentraciones de yodo <15mg/Kg, observamos que fue del 5,3 % en Perito Moreno y del 9,7% en Los Antiguos. Teniendo en cuenta la línea de corte del 10% que fija el ICCIDD (18) como valor óptimo, podemos observar que la situación de ambas poblaciones es satisfactoria. Concluimos que en estas dos localidades del noroeste de la provincia de Santa Cruz no existe una prevalencia de bocio aumentada, por lo que podría afirmarse que esta región está, actualmente, libre de bocio endémico.

Influence of lactic acid on the solubilization of protein during corn steeping.

The role of lactic acid (LA) in corn wet-mill steeping is not well understood. Because LA is known to improve wet-milling starch yields and steepwater contains a large amount of proteinaceous material, one of the effects of LA in steeping may be to help break down the endosperm protein matrix. Protein solubilization was studied for four different steeping solutions containing LA, sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), a combination of LA and SO(2), or no added chemicals at temperatures between 44 and 60 degrees C with steep times of up to 48 h. The accumulation of proteinaceous material in steepwater with time was sigmoidal regardless of the steeping chemicals or temperature. The initial slow rate of solubilization appeared to be due to incomplete kernel hydration. Significantly greater amounts of protein were released in the presence of LA than in its absence, with the greatest amounts found when steeping was performed with both LA and SO(2). The increase of proteinaceous material in steepwater containing LA was not due to low pH, because steeping solutions containing other organic and inorganic acids did not increase steepwater protein. The effect of LA concentration was also studied. In the absence of SO(2), higher concentrations of LA resulted in higher steepwater protein concentrations. The opposite trend was observed in the presence of SO(2). Similar steepwater protein concentrations were obtained with DL-lactic acid and L-lactic acid, indicating that the additional protein release was not sensitive to isomeric effects.

Latin American open-label study with rabeprazole in patients with functional dyspepsia. Mexican Rabeprazole Investigators Group.

This multicenter, open-label study assessed the clinical efficacy and tolerability of the proton-pump inhibitor rabeprazole 20 mg once daily in 189 patients with functional dyspepsia and normal findings on upper endoscopy. The clinical efficacy rate was 86% after only 4 weeks of treatment, and symptoms remained under control at the end of 4 weeks without treatment. Rabeprazole was well tolerated and was associated with a low incidence (8%) of mild, transient adverse events.

Effectiveness of a women's mental health treatment program: a pilot study.

This exploratory pilot study sought to determine the effectiveness of a Women's Mental Health Treatment Program. This program was offered in a women's unit within a private psychiatric hospital and advertised as a way to help women deal with problems and issues unique to their gender. Twenty-six women responded to a survey questionnaire that explored their quality of life, social support network, ratings of the program, and feelings of self-esteem after discharge. These women were admitted for depression, anxiety attacks, marital problems, and eating disorders. Overall results pointed to the effectiveness of the program as indicated by the women's positive ratings of their current life situation, self-esteem, ability to resume work after discharge, and written appreciative comments. The various therapies rated as effective as part of the program treatment package were group therapy, individual therapy, assertiveness training, victim survivor, steps study, and esteem building.

[Previous dissociative psychiatric disorder and status epilepticus in a case of acute HIV infection]. / Trastorno disociativo psiquiátrico previo y status epiléptico en un caso de infección aguda por VIH.

We described an 18 old homosexual man who after 5 days developed a neurologic picture associated with Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV) seroconversion. The patient had developed a dissociative psychiatric disorder 6 months before, and after resolution of the acute neurologic disease a mild neuro-psychiatric disorder remained. After mononucleosis-like syndrome of three weeks, the patient developed a meningo-encephalitic process 48 h post admission. He evolved with tonic seizures and twilight state and was admitted into Intensive Care Unit because of epileptic status and deep coma. Evolution was favourable after 72 h of treatment with acyclovir and antiepileptic drugs. Laboratory data showed an inverted T4/T8 ratio and seroconversion to HIV-antibodies and p24-antigen both in serum and CSF. These observations confirm the existence of psychiatric as well neurological alterations in acute HIV infection, and also the significance of p24-antigen and Western-Blot in serum and CSF in showing the seroconversion profile.

Chromoblastomycosis caused by Exophiala spinifera.

Exophiala spinifera is reported as a newly recognized agent of chromoblastomycosis. This case demonstrates that infections caused by dematiaceous fungi may be variable and that a single fungus may cause more than one type of infection. Chromoblastomycosis and phaeohyphomycosis represent extremes of a continuum of infections.

[Intracranial calcifications in the differential diagnosis of epileptic disease]. / Calcificaciones intracraneales en el diagnóstico diferencial de la enfermedad epiléptica.

We report the case of a patient with a history of goiter operation 26 years before who present recurrent convulsive episodes diagnosed of epilepsy. Our study shows that this clinical setting is a Fahr's Syndrome (intracranial calcifications and chronic Hypoparathyroidism). We compare our case with others of the medical literature and analyze the neurological findings in regard to the type of intracranial calcifications and the severity and duration of hypocalcemia.