Development and field testing of low-cost, quantal microbial assays with volunteer reporting as scalable means of drinking water safety estimation.

AIMS: To evaluate a low-cost water quality test for at-scale drinking water safety estimation in rural India. METHODS AND RESULTS: Within a longitudinal study to characterize variability in household drinking water safety in rural Maharashtra, we piloted a low-cost presence-absence (LCPA) microbial test designed to be used by volunteer residents in rural areas. In comparing the LCPA results with standard laboratory methods for enumeration of Escherichia coli, we found that LCPA tests using modified mTec media were highly sensitive in detecting drinking water of moderate risk (88% of tests were positive at E. coli counts of 11-100 CFU per 100 ml) and high risk (96% of tests were positive at E. coli counts of 101 + CFU per 100 ml). The LCPA tests demonstrated low specificity for E. coli specifically, due to concurrent detection of Klebsiella: 38% of LCPA tests were positive even when E. coli was not detected in a 100 ml sample by membrane filtration, suggesting the test would be conservative in risk estimation. We also found that 47% of participants in rural villages in India were willing to conduct tests and return results after a brief training, with 45% of active participants sending their water testing results via short message service. CONCLUSIONS: Given their low cost (~US$0.50 as piloted) and open-source format, such tests may provide a compelling alternative to standard methods for rapid water quality assessments, especially in resource-limited settings. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The lack of availability of water quality data constrains efforts to monitor, evaluate and improve the safety of water and sanitation infrastructure in underserved settings. Current water testing methods are not scalable because of laboratory and cost constraints. Our findings indicate the LCPA or similar low-cost microbial tests could be useful in rapid water safety estimation, including via crowdsourcing.

One-year follow-up of titanium/zirconium alloy X commercially pure titanium narrow-diameter implants placed in the molar region of the mandible: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze marginal bone loss (MBL) and clinical parameters around narrow-diameter implants (NDIs - 3.3 mm) made of titanium/zirconium alloy (TiZr) in comparison with commercially pure titanium (cpTi) installed in the molar region of the mandible after 1 year in function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients participated in the study. A TiZr and a cpTi NDI were randomly installed in contralateral molar sites of the mandible of each patient in a split-mouth design. Eight weeks after healing, all metal-ceramic single crowns were adapted to the implants and patients were enrolled in a plaque control program. MBL at the mesial and distal aspects of the implants were evaluated by comparing periapical radiographs taken immediately after prosthesis installation (T1) and 1 year after loading (T2). Clinical probing depth, bleeding on probing, suppuration, visible plaque and implant mobility were evaluated to determine implant success and survival rates. RESULTS: Mean MBL at the interproximal aspects of TiZr implant sites was 0.32 ± 0.27 mm, while at cpTi implant sites mean MBL was 0.35 ± 0.24 mm (P = 0.60). Both TiZr and cpTi NDIs presented 100% implant survival and success rates, with no significant differences in the clinical parameters studied (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: TiZr and cpTi NDIs presented similar outcomes after 1 year in function in the molar region of the mandible. The results suggest that TiZr and cpTi NDIs may be equally used to support single crowns in the posterior area of the mouth. However, further studies with longer follow-up periods are necessary to confirm these findings.

Long-term outcomes from implants installed by using split-crest technique in posterior maxillae: 10 years of follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present 10-year retrospective study was to evaluate the success and survival rates of narrow diameter implants (NDIs) placed in combination with a split-crest technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one healthy individuals who received prosthetic rehabilitation supported by narrow diameter implants (NDIs) installed in atrophic maxillary posterior areas immediately after split-crest procedure were included in the study. Six to eight weeks after implant placement, the prosthetic rehabilitations were delivered. Periapical radiographs were taken at the 6-month and 10-year time interval after implant loading to assess bone marginal level around the implants. In addition, survival and success indexes were also obtained at these time intervals. RESULTS: Forty NDIs were placed in 21 patients. At the end of the 10-year follow-up period, seven patients had dropped out, two implants were lost, and nine prostheses presented some type of deficiency (ceramic fracture or retaining screw fracture). At the 10-year time interval, the implant survival rate was 97% and the success rate was 95%. The marginal bone loss at the 6-month and 10-year time intervals was, respectively, 0.47 (SD 0.91) mm and 1.93 (SD 0.93) mm. CONCLUSION: Narrow diameter implants installed immediately after split-crest procedure may successfully support prosthetic rehabilitations after long-time intervals.

Success and survival rates of narrow diameter implants made of titanium-zirconium alloy in the posterior region of the jaws - results from a 1-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present prospective clinical study was to evaluate and to compare the success and survival rates of narrow diameter implants made of titanium-zirconium alloy and commercially pure titanium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two healthy adult patients scheduled for implant-supported single restorations were included in the study. In each patient, a titanium-zirconium alloy (Test group) or a commercially pure titanium (Control group) narrow diameter implants was installed in the posterior regions of the jaws. After 8 weeks of healing, all metal-ceramic single crowns were adapted to the implants and the patients enrolled in a plaque control program. The survival and success rates of the implants and the success rate of the implant-supported prosthesis were evaluated following 1 year of loading. Furthermore, mobility (M), suppuration (S), clinical probing depth (CPD), and bleeding on probing (BoP) were measured around the implants at 6 weeks of healing (T1) and 12 months after loading (T2). RESULTS: In T2, survival and success rates for both groups were 95.2%. The corresponding value for the success rate of the implant-supported prosthesis was 100% in both groups. The average CPD was the following: 2.29 (±0.52) and 2.59 (±0.52) (P < 0.05) in the Test and Control groups, respectively, at T1; and 3.0 mm (±0.74) and 3.07 mm (±0.90) (P > 0.05) in the Test and Control groups, respectively, at T2. There was no statistically significant difference between groups concerning about S, M, and BoP at T1 and T2 (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that, in a short-term follow-up, narrow diameter implants made of either titanium-zirconium alloy or commercially pure titanium may be used to support single crowns in the posterior portions of the jaws.

Nelore females along a new Brazilian agricultural frontier: hematological and clinical-biochemical approaches / [Abordagens hematológicas e bioquímicas clínicas de fêmeas Nelore na nova fronteira agrícola brasileira]

The Nelore breed is the second largest bovine breed in the world and has actively participated in the expansion of new Brazilian agricultural frontiers. In this context, the purpose of this study was to determine the hematological and biochemical reference intervals of healthy Nelore matrices raised under an extensive regime without supplementation along southwest of Piauí state. Blood samples were collected from fifty-five multiparous female of the Nelore breed. Biochemical and hematological parameters were analyzed using a parametric statistical method with 95% CI of reference limits. The average values of red blood cells, hemoglobin as well as hematimetric indices showed reference ranges similar to reference standards. The hematocrit as well as granulocytes and agranulocytes presented alterations typical of animals raised in environments with higher temperatures. Mineral, enzymatic, protein and metabolic profiles were similar to other bovine breeds but with a narrower range of values. However, lower mean values were observed for levels of ionized calcium, total protein and urea. Nelore females present slightly different biochemical and hematological profiles from other breeds, which might result from the environmental and nutritional management applied and the natural deficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium in the region's pastures.(AU)

Nelore é a segunda maior raça bovina do mundo e tem participado ativamente da expansão das novas fronteiras agrícolas brasileiras. Nesse contexto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar os intervalos de referência hematológicos e bioquímicos de matrizes Nelore criadas em regime extensivo sem suplementação, ao longo do sudoeste do estado do Piauí. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas de 55 fêmeas multíparas da raça Nelore. Os parâmetros bioquímicos e hematológicos foram analisados por método estatístico paramétrico com IC 95% para os limites de referência. Os valores médios de hemácias, hemoglobina e índices hematimétricos apresentaram intervalos de referência semelhantes aos padrões de referência. Tanto o hematócrito quanto os granulócitos e os agranulócitos apresentaram alterações típicas de animais criados em ambientes com temperaturas mais elevadas. Os perfis mineral, enzimático, proteico e metabólico foram semelhantes aos de outras raças bovinas, mas com uma faixa de valores mais estreita. No entanto, valores médios mais baixos foram observados para os níveis de cálcio ionizado, proteína total e ureia. Fêmeas Nelore apresentam perfis bioquímicos e hematológicos ligeiramente diferentes de outras raças, o que pode resultar dos manejos ambiental e nutricional aplicados e da deficiência natural de nitrogênio, fósforo e cálcio nas pastagens da região.(AU)

Elimination of non-reactive and weakly reactive human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein after induction of the acute phase response in rats.

The disposition of concanavalin A (Con A)-non-reactive and Con A-reactive human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) was studied in normal male rats and in acute phase response-activated male rats. Activation of the acute phase response was made using a subcutaneous administration of ethynyloestradiol in sesame oil. This technique increased the endogenous AAG concentration 7-fold. In control rats the two forms of human AAG showed identical kinetics with an average clearance of 5.4 mL h-1 kg-1, terminal half-life of 13.5 h and a volume of distribution (steady state) of 91 mL kg-1. In the acute phase response-activated animals, both the clearance and volume of distribution were larger: the average clearance of the Con A-non-reactive AAG was 10.2 mL h-1 kg-1, the volume of distribution (steady state) 152 mL kg-1 and the terminal half-life 11.7 h. The Con A-reactive AAG had a clearance of 14.7 mL h-1 kg-1, a volume of distribution (steady state) of 262 mL kg-1 and a half-life of 15.8 h. The results indicate that not only does activation of the acute phase response alter the kinetics of AAG but that the change is different for the different types of AAG.

Pharmacokinetics of moclobemide in male, virgin female, pregnant and nursing rats.

The disposition of moclobemide, a reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase isoenzyme A was studied in male, virgin female, pregnant and nursing rats. The average clearance in control rats (male and female) was 36 mL min-1 kg-1, the initial volume of distribution 1.4 L kg-1, the volume of distribution at steady state 2.3 L kg-1 and the terminal half-life 59 min. The blood-to-plasma concentration ratio of moclobemide was 0.84 giving rise to an average blood clearance of 30 mL min-1 kg-1. The clearance values in rats were higher than in man but as a fraction of hepatic blood flow were similar (36 vs 45%). The volume of distribution at steady state was approximately twice as high as in man while the half-life was similar. Pregnant and nursing rats showed no statistically significant differences in their disposition parameters for moclobemide compared with virgin female rats. Nursing rats had statistically significantly lower concentrations of the moclobemide N-oxide metabolite than did pregnant and control rats. Generally lower concentrations of the lactam metabolite were also found in this group although the differences did not reach statistical significance. Moclobemide as well as the N-oxide and lactam metabolites were found in the amniotic fluid suggesting that moclobemide is capable of crossing the placental barrier.

Prevalence of foodborne pathogens in grilled chicken from street vendors and retail outlets in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

We analyzed a total of 70 grilled chicken samples bought randomly from street vendors and retail outlets in the city of Reynosa, Mexico, to determine the prevalence of Escherichia coli (Shiga toxin producing and enterotoxin producing), Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria spp., and Campylobacter spp. using microbiological methods and PCR detection of bacterial sequences. Of the 70 samples, 27 (38.5%) were from retail outlets and 43 (61.4%) from street vendors. All specimens were negative by both microbiological and molecular methods for Listeria monocytogenes, Shiga toxin 2 of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, lt of enterotoxin-producing E. coli, and st enterotoxin, and all were negative for Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter jejuni by PCR. Of the samples studied, 49 (70%) had undetectable levels of the foodborne pathogens studied with the methods used. In the remaining 21 (30%) specimens, at least one pathogen was isolated or detected, with E. coli being the pathogen most frequently isolated and with two samples bearing the hlyA gene. We found no statistical difference in bacterial prevalence between retail and street vendor samples. The presence of pathogens in grilled chicken is an important public health risk because of the great demand for and daily consumption of this product in this region.

Glucocorticoid-dextran conjugates as potential prodrugs for colon-specific delivery: steady-state pharmacokinetics in the rat.

Chronic colitis, e.g., ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, is presently treated with glucocorticoids and other antiinflammatory agents. Side-effects limit chronic glucocorticoid therapy. The dose, and consequently the side-effects, may be reduced by using prodrugs that selectively deliver drug to the colon. We previously synthesized glucocorticoid-dextran conjugates in which dexamethasone was attached to dextran (weight-average molecular weight = 72,600) using dicarboxylic acid linkers (succinate and glutarate). In the present study, dexamethasone-succinate-dextran and dexamethasone-glutarate-dextran were administered to two groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats by intragastric infusion. In two additional groups, disodium dexamethasone phosphate and dexamethasone hemisuccinate were each administered by subcutaneous infusion. In a fifth group, dexamethasone was administered by intragastric infusion. All groups were infused for sufficient time for steady state to be achieved. Colon-specific delivery was quantified using a drug-delivery index (DDI) in which steady-state dexamethasone concentrations in the cecum and colon were compared with those measured in blood after separate administrations of dexamethasone and dexamethasone-dextran conjugate. The colonic DDI values for dexamethasone-succinate-dextran and dexamethasone-glutarate-dextran were approximately seven and four, respectively. These values were a result of higher tissue concentrations and lower blood concentrations of dexamethasone after intragastric administration of the conjugates compared to subcutaneous and intragastric administration of dexamethasone. The pharmacokinetics of methyl-prednisolone was also investigated after subcutaneous infusion. Observed cecal and colonic tissue-to-blood ratios of 19:1 and 12:1, respectively, showed that this drug is extensively delivered to the large intestine even after subcutaneous administration.