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PURPOSE: Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) regulates cannabinoid neurotransmission and the pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid pathway by degrading endocannabinoids. MAGL inhibitors may accordingly act as cannabinoid-potentiating and anti-inflammatory agents. Although MAGL dysfunction has been implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders, it has never been visualized in vivo in human brain. The primary objective of the current study was to visualize MAGL in the human brain using the novel PET ligand 18F-T-401. METHODS: Seven healthy males underwent 120-min dynamic 18F-T-401-PET scans with arterial blood sampling. Six subjects also underwent a second PET scan with 18F-T-401 within 2 weeks of the first scan. For quantification of MAGL in the human brain, kinetic analyses using one- and two-tissue compartment models (1TCM and 2TCM, respectively), along with multilinear analysis (MA1) and Logan graphical analysis, were performed. Time-stability and test-retest reproducibility of 18F-T-401-PET were also evaluated. RESULTS: 18F-T-401 showed rapid uptake and gradual washout from the brain. Logan graphical analysis showed linearity in all subjects, indicating reversible radioligand kinetics. Using a metabolite-corrected arterial input function, MA1 estimated regional total distribution volume (VT) values by best identifiability. VT values were highest in the cerebral cortex, moderate in the thalamus and putamen, and lowest in white matter and the brainstem, which was in agreement with regional MAGL expression in the human brain. Time-stability analysis showed that MA1 estimated VT values with a minimal bias even using truncated 60-min scan data. Test-retest reliability was also excellent with the use of MA1. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we provide the first demonstration of in vivo visualization of MAGL in the human brain. 18F-T-401 showed excellent test-retest reliability, reversible kinetics, and stable estimation of VT values consistent with known regional MAGL expressions. PET with 18F-T-401-PET is promising tool for measurement of central MAGL.
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Canabinoides , Monoacilglicerol Lipases , Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagem , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Canabinoides/metabolismo , Humanos , Masculino , Monoacilglicerol Lipases/metabolismo , Tomografia por Emissão de Pósitrons/métodos , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Distribuição TecidualRESUMO
In a multicenter study, we determined a prevalence rate of 4% for azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in Taiwan. Resistance emerged mainly from the environment (TR34/L98H, TR34/L98H/S297T/F495I, and TR46/Y121F/T289A mutations) but occasionally during azole treatment. A high mortality rate observed for azole-resistant aspergillosis necessitates diagnostic stewardship in healthcare and antifungal stewardship in the environment.
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Aspergillus fumigatus , Azóis , Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Antifúngicos/uso terapêutico , Aspergillus fumigatus/genética , Azóis/farmacologia , Farmacorresistência Fúngica , Proteínas Fúngicas/genética , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Taiwan/epidemiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus is an emerging problem and reported from all continents. As triazole antifungals are the mainstay of therapy in the management of invasive aspergillosis, azole-resistant A fumigatus has become a major medical concern and with complicated clinical management. OBJECTIVE: Screening of environmental presence of azole-resistant A fumigatus in Iran. METHODS: Compost from Northern Iran, collected between 2017 and 2018, was screened for the presence of azole-resistant A fumigatus with azole-containing agar. Phenotypic MICs were obtained from selected, molecularly confirmed isolates. cyp51A gene sequencing and genotyping of azole-resistant isolates were done. RESULTS: Among 300 compost samples, three A fumigatus isolates had high voriconazole MICs (≥16 mg/L) and harboured the TR46 /Y121F/T289A mutation in the cyp51A gene. Microsatellite typing of these isolates showed that two strains had the same allele across all nine examined microsatellite loci and were genotypically related to Indian azole-resistant strains. The other isolate had a different genotype. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of A fumigatus with TR46 /Y121F/T289A mutation from the region. Monitoring and surveillance of antifungal susceptibility of clinical A fumigatus is warranted in Iran and elsewhere in the region.
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Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Aspergillus fumigatus/efeitos dos fármacos , Aspergillus fumigatus/genética , Azóis/farmacologia , Farmacorresistência Fúngica/genética , Microbiologia do Solo , Compostagem , Sistema Enzimático do Citocromo P-450/genética , Proteínas Fúngicas/genética , Genótipo , Irã (Geográfico) , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Repetições de Microssatélites , Mutação , Análise de Sequência de DNARESUMO
Poor clinical outcomes for invasive aspergillosis are associated with antifungal resistance. Performing antifungal susceptibility tests on clinically relevant Aspergillus isolates from patients and environmental regions with known azole resistance is recommended. The aim of the study was to assess the presence of azole resistance in clinical Aspergillus spp. isolates and those from hospital environments and farmlands within a 40 km radius of the hospital. Clinical Aspergillus spp. isolates were cultured, as well as environmental Aspergillus spp. isolates obtained from air samples. Samples were subcultured in azole-containing agar plates. Isolates with a positive screening test were subjected to YeastOne methods to determine their minimum inhibitory concentrations of antifungals. Resistance mechanisms were investigated in the azole-resistant Aspergillus spp. isolates. No azole-resistant clinical or environmental A flavus, A oryaze, A niger or A terreus isolates were found in the present study. All A fumigatus clinical isolates were azole-susceptible. Seven A fumigatus environmental isolates were associated with cyp51A mutations, including two that harboured TR34 /L98H mutations with S297T/F495I substitutions, two with TR34 /L98H mutations and three with TR46 /Y121F/T289A mutations. One of these isolates was collected from farmland, one was from A ward and five were from B ward. The proportion of azole-resistant A fumigatus was 10.2% (6/59) and 3.2% (1/31) in the hospital environments and the farmlands near the hospital, respectively. The results showed that azole-resistant A fumigatus existed within hospital environments. This emphasises the importance of periodic surveillance in hospital environments and monitoring for the emergence of azole-resistant A fumigatus clinical isolates.
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Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Aspergilose/epidemiologia , Aspergillus/efeitos dos fármacos , Azóis/farmacologia , Farmacorresistência Fúngica Múltipla , Monitoramento Epidemiológico , Aspergilose/microbiologia , Aspergillus/genética , Aspergillus/isolamento & purificação , Sistema Enzimático do Citocromo P-450/genética , Fazendas , Proteínas Fúngicas/genética , Genótipo , Hospitais , Humanos , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Mutação , Taiwan/epidemiologiaRESUMO
The emergence of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus has become a clinical problem in many parts of the world. Several amino acid mutations in the azole target protein Cyp51Ap contribute to this resistance, with the most concerning being the environmentally derived TR34/L98H and TR46/Y121F/T289A mutations. Here, we performed passive surveillance to assess a sample of the A. fumigatus population in the United States for the presence of these mutations. We found 1.4% of those isolates to exhibit elevated MIC via broth microdilution, and five of those isolates harbored the TR34/L98H mutation.
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Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Aspergillus fumigatus/efeitos dos fármacos , Aspergillus fumigatus/genética , Azóis/farmacologia , Farmacorresistência Fúngica/genética , Proteínas Fúngicas/genética , Proteínas Fúngicas/metabolismo , Genótipo , Humanos , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Mutação/genética , Estados UnidosRESUMO
A case of fatal aspergillosis due to a TR46/Y121F/T289A azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus is reported. Environmental investigations at the patient's residence led to the recovery of TR46/Y121F/T289A isolates, genotypically indistinguishable from the clinical isolate, supporting for the first time the direct role of household as potential source of azole-resistant invasive aspergillosis.
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Antifúngicos/uso terapêutico , Aspergilose/tratamento farmacológico , Aspergilose/etiologia , Aspergillus fumigatus/efeitos dos fármacos , Azóis/uso terapêutico , Farmacorresistência Fúngica , Hospedeiro Imunocomprometido , Idoso , Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Artrite Reumatoide/complicações , Artrite Reumatoide/tratamento farmacológico , Aspergillus fumigatus/genética , Azóis/farmacologia , Sistema Enzimático do Citocromo P-450/genética , Evolução Fatal , Proteínas Fúngicas/genética , Humanos , Infliximab/efeitos adversos , Infliximab/uso terapêutico , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , MutaçãoRESUMO
The global emergence of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus strains is a growing public health concern. Different patterns of azole resistance are linked to mutations in cyp51A Therefore, accurate characterization of the mechanisms underlying azole resistance is critical to guide selection of the most appropriate antifungal agent for patients with aspergillosis. This study describes a new sequencing-free molecular screening tool for early detection of the most frequent mutations known to be associated with azole resistance in A. fumigatus PCRs targeting cyp51A mutations at positions G54, Y121, G448, and M220 and targeting different tandem repeats (TRs) in the promoter region were designed. All PCRs were performed simultaneously, using the same cycling conditions. Amplicons were then distinguished using a high-resolution melting assay. For standardization, 30 well-characterized azole-resistant A. fumigatus strains were used, yielding melting curve clusters for different resistance mechanisms for each target and allowing detection of the most frequent azole resistance mutations, i.e., G54E, G54V, G54R, G54W, Y121F, M220V, M220I, M220T, M220K, and G448S, and the tandem repeats TR34, TR46, and TR53 Validation of the method was performed using a blind panel of 80 A. fumigatus azole-susceptible or azole-resistant strains. All strains included in the blind panel were properly classified as susceptible or resistant with the developed method. The implementation of this screening method can reduce the time needed for the detection of azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates and therefore facilitate selection of the best antifungal therapy in patients with aspergillosis.
Assuntos
Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Aspergillus fumigatus/efeitos dos fármacos , Sistema Enzimático do Citocromo P-450/genética , Farmacorresistência Fúngica/genética , Proteínas Fúngicas/genética , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/métodos , Aspergilose/tratamento farmacológico , Aspergillus fumigatus/genética , Humanos , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Desnaturação de Ácido Nucleico/genética , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas/genética , Sequências de Repetição em Tandem/genéticaRESUMO
The taxonomy of the synnematous genera Cephalotrichum, Doratomyces and Trichurus, and other related genera Gamsia, Wardomyces and Wardomycopsis, has been controversial and relies mainly on morphological criteria. These are microascaceous saprobic fungi mostly found in air and soil and with a worldwide distribution. In order to clarify their taxonomy and to delineate generic boundaries within the Microascaceae, we studied 57 isolates that include clinical, environmental and all the available ex-type strains of a large set of species by means of morphological, physiological and molecular phylogenetic analyses using DNA sequence data of four loci (the ITS region, and fragments of rDNA LSU, translation elongation factor 1α and ß-tubulin). The results demonstrate that Cephalotrichum, Doratomyces and Trichurus are congeneric and the genus Cephalotrichum is accepted here with Echinobotryum as a further synonym. The genera Acaulium and Fairmania, typified by A. albonigrescens and F. singularis, respectively, are distinct from Microascus and Scopulariopsis, Gamsia is distinct from Wardomyces, and Wardomycopsis is confirmed as a separate genus in the Microascaceae. Two new species of Cephalotrichum are described as C. brevistipitatum and C. hinnuleum. Nine new combinations are proposed, i.e. Acaulium acremonium, A. caviariforme, Cephalotrichum asperulum, C. columnare, C. cylindricum, C. dendrocephalum, C. gorgonifer, Gamsia columbina and Wardomyces giganteus. A neotype is designed for C. stemonitis. Lectotypes and epitypes are designated for A. acremonium, A. albonigrescens, C. gorgonifer, C. nanum and W. anomalus. Cephalotrichum cylindricum, C. microsporum, F. singularis and Gamsia columbina are also epitypified with new specimens. Descriptions of the phenotypic features and dichotomous keys for identification are provided for accepted species in the different genera.
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The authentic standard T807 and its nitro-precursor T807P as well as t-Boc-protected T807P precursor for radiolabeling were synthesized from (4-bromophenyl)boronic acid, 3-bromo-4-nitropyridine and 3-bromo-6-nitropyridine with overall chemical yield 27% in three steps, 4-7% in three to five steps, and 3-8% in four to five steps, respectively. [(18)F]T807 was synthesized from T807P by the nucleophilic [(18)F]fluorination with K[(18)F]F/Kryptofix 2.2.2 in DMSO at 140 °C followed by reduction with Fe powder/HCOOH through manual synthesis with 5-10% decay corrected radiochemical yield in two steps. [(18)F]T807 was also synthesized from t-Boc-protected T807P by a concurrent [(18)F]fluorination and deprotection with K[(18)F]F/Kryptofix 2.2.2 in DMSO at 140 °C and purified by HPLC-SPE method in a home-built automated [(18)F]radiosynthesis module with 20-30% decay corrected radiochemical yield in one step. The specific activity of [(18)F]T807 at end of bombardment (EOB) was 37-370 GBq/µmol.
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Doença de Alzheimer/diagnóstico por imagem , Carbolinas/síntese química , Técnicas de Química Sintética/métodos , Radioisótopos de Flúor/química , Compostos Radiofarmacêuticos/síntese química , Proteínas tau/análise , Carbolinas/química , Halogenação , Humanos , Tomografia por Emissão de Pósitrons , Compostos Radiofarmacêuticos/químicaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Aspergillus spp. are the most frequently isolated filamentous fungi in the sputum of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Resistance to the azoles, the mainstay of current antifungal therapy, has been increasingly observed worldwide, but few data are available on the resistance of Aspergillus spp. in German CF patients. This study investigated the epidemiology of Aspergillus spp. and the molecular origin of azole resistance in a large German CF centre. METHODS: In total, 2677 respiratory samples from 221 CF patients collected between April 2010 and April 2013 were analysed; of these, 573 yielded Aspergillus spp., which were screened for azole resistance. Isolates with reduced susceptibility to itraconazole and/or voriconazole were tested according to the EUCAST reference procedure. Sequencing of cyp51A, the target of azole antifungals, was performed in all resistant isolates. RESULTS: Six isolates obtained from four patients were highly resistant to itraconazole (all identified as Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto); five of them were pan-azole resistant. The TR34/L98H mutation was the most frequent mutation identified in azole-resistant isolates (nâ=â4), followed by M220L and TR46/Y121F/T289A, a mutation previously reported from Belgium and the Netherlands only. Three of four patients harbouring azole-resistant A. fumigatus had not received any prior azole treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Resistance to azoles in Aspergillus spp. is still infrequent in German CF patients and is mainly caused by the TR34/L98H mutation. Worryingly, pan-azole-resistant TR46/Y121F/T289A has spread to Germany. Azole resistance has to be considered also in azole-naive CF patients and susceptibility testing of Aspergillus spp. isolates should be performed in all patients requiring treatment.
Assuntos
Aspergilose/epidemiologia , Aspergillus/efeitos dos fármacos , Aspergillus/genética , Azóis/farmacologia , Fibrose Cística/epidemiologia , Fibrose Cística/microbiologia , Farmacorresistência Fúngica/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Aspergilose/complicações , Aspergilose/microbiologia , Aspergillus/isolamento & purificação , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Fibrose Cística/complicações , Proteínas Fúngicas/genética , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Mutação , Prevalência , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Adulto JovemRESUMO
The authentic standard T808 and its corresponding mesylate precursor T808P were synthesized in six steps using ethyl vinyl ether and trichlorocetyl chloride as starting materials. The overall chemical yields of T808 and T808P were 35% and 52%, respectively. [(18)F]-T808 was synthesized from T808P by the nucleophilic substitution with K[(18)F]F/Kryptofix 2.2.2 and isolated by HPLC combined with solid-phase extraction (SPE) purification in 35-45% radiochemical yield with 37-370GBq/µmol specific activity at end of bombardment (EOB).
Assuntos
Doença de Alzheimer/diagnóstico , Doença de Alzheimer/metabolismo , Benzimidazóis , Radioisótopos de Flúor , Tomografia por Emissão de Pósitrons , Pirimidinas , Proteínas tau/análise , Benzimidazóis/síntese química , Benzimidazóis/química , Radioisótopos de Flúor/química , Humanos , Estrutura Molecular , Pirimidinas/síntese química , Pirimidinas/química , Proteínas tau/metabolismoRESUMO
Freeze-thaw (F-T) cycling poses a significant challenge in seasonally frozen zones, notably affecting the mechanical properties of soil, which is a critical consideration in subgrade engineering. Consequently, a series of unconfined compressive strength tests were conducted to evaluate the influence of various factors, including fiber content, fiber length, curing time, and F-T cycles on the unconfined compression strength (UCS) of fiber-reinforced cemented silty sand. In parallel, acoustic emission (AE) testing was conducted to assess the AE characteristic parameters (e.g., cumulative ring count, cumulative energy, energy, amplitude, RA, and AF) of the same material under F-T cycles, elucidating the progression of F-T-induced damage. The findings indicated that UCS initially increased and then declined as fiber content increased, with the optimal fiber content identified at 0.2%. UCS increased with prolonged curing time, while increases in fiber length and F-T cycles led to a reduction in UCS, which then stabilized after 6 to 10 cycles. Stable F-T cycles resulted in a strength loss of approximately 30% in fiber-reinforced cemented silty sand. Furthermore, AE characteristic parameters strongly correlated with the stages of damage. F-T damage was segmented into three stages using cumulative ring count and cumulative energy. An increase in cumulative ring count to 0.02 × 104 times and cumulative energy to 0.03 × 104 mv·µs marked the emergence of critical failure points. A sudden shift in AE amplitude indicated a transition in the damage stage, with an amplitude of 67 dB after 6 F-T cycles serving as an early warning of impending failure.
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AIM: The aim of the study was to compare the yield of mean platelet volume (MPV), total prostate specific antigen (tPSA), free prostate specific antigen (fPSA), f/t PSA ratio and complex prostate specific antigen (cPSA) in patients with prostatitis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was designed in the Kayseri Education and Research Hospital. Ninety-six patients with prostatitis were enrolled retrospectively into the study. Laboratory data were obtained from the computerized patient database. We evaluated the correlation between tPSA, fPSa, f/t PSA ratio, cPSA, MPV and extent and aggressiveness of inflammation in the surgical specimens of patients who underwent surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Inflammation in the prostatic tissues was scored for extent and aggressivity of inflammation using the grading system designed by Irani et al. RESULTS: The total PSA, fPSa, f/t PSA ratio, cPSA and pre- and post-treatment MPV values of each group did not differ (p>0.05) (Table 1). Also there was no correlation between the histopathological grades and the MPV, tPSA, fPSA, f/t PSA ratio and cPSA of patients. However, MPV values significantly decreased after treatment in all grades of prostatitis (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: MPV values may be used as an inflammation marker in patients with prostatitis.
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Volume Plaquetário Médio , Antígeno Prostático Específico/análise , Neoplasias da Próstata/metabolismo , Idoso , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prostatite , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: We wished to develop a highly selective positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agent targeting PHF-tau in human Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains. METHODS: To screen potential tau binders, human AD brain sections were used as a source of native paired helical filament (PHF)-tau and Aß rather than synthetic tau aggregates or Aß fibrils generated in vitro to measure the affinity and selectivity of [(18)F]T807 to tau and Aß. Brain uptake and biodistribution of [(18)F]T807 in mice were also tested. RESULTS: In vitro autoradiography results show that [(18)F]T807 exhibits strong binding to PHF-tau-positive human brain sections. A dissociation constant (Kd) of [(18)F]T807 (14.6 nM) was measured using brain sections from the frontal lobe of AD patients. A comparison of autoradiography and double immunohistochemical staining of PHF-tau and Aß on adjacent sections demonstrated that [(18)F]T807 binding colocalized with immunoreactive PHF-tau pathology, but did not highlight Aß plaques. In vivo studies in mice demonstrated that [(18)F]T807 was able to cross the blood-brain barrier and washed out quickly. CONCLUSIONS: [(18)F]T807 demonstrates high affinity and selectivity to PHF-tau as well as favorable in vivo properties, making this a promising candidate as an imaging agent for AD.
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Doença de Alzheimer/diagnóstico , Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagem , Radioisótopos de Flúor , Proteínas tau/química , Proteínas tau/efeitos dos fármacos , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Peptídeos beta-Amiloides/metabolismo , Animais , Autorradiografia , Encéfalo/patologia , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Transgênicos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Tomografia por Emissão de Pósitrons , Ligação Proteica/efeitos dos fármacos , Ligação Proteica/genética , Distribuição Tecidual , Proteínas tau/genéticaRESUMO
This study aimed to obtain a microbial active compound as a novel antimalarial drug from Indonesian isolates. Target-based assays were used to screen for antimalarial activity against the parasite mitochondrial, Plasmodium falciparum malate:quinone oxidoreductase (PfMQO) enzyme. In total, 1600 crude extracts, composed from 800 fungi and 800 actinomycetes extracts, were screened against PfMQO, yielding six active extracts as primary hits. After several stages of stability tests, one extract produced by Aspergillus sp. BioMCC f.T.8501 demonstrated stable PfMQO inhibitory activity. Several purification stages, including OCC, TLC, and HPLC, were performed to obtain bioactive compounds from this active extract. All purification steps were followed by an assay against PfMQO. We identified the active compound as nornidulin based on its LC-MS and UV spectrum data. Nornidulin inhibited PfMQO activity at IC50 of 51 µM and P. falciparum 3D7 proliferation in vitro at IC50 of 44.6 µM, however, it had no effect on the growth of several mammalian cells. In conclusion, we isolated nornidulin from Indonesian Aspergillus sp. BioMCC f.T.8501 as a novel inhibitor of PfMQO, which showed inhibitory activity against the proliferation of P. falciparum 3D7 in vitro.
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Freeze-thaw (F-T) cycling presents a challenge when building durable pavement structures in cold regions. Understanding the changes within the microstructure of asphalt concrete (AC) due to F-T conditions is crucial for developing a resilient pavement design. This study investigates the impact of F-T cycles on five AC mixtures using X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning. Image analysis was completed to evaluate the changes in the microstructure of the AC samples before and after exposure to 30, 60, and 90 F-T cycles. The changes/degradation in the microstructure were evaluated based on analyzing the distribution and properties of air voids within the AC samples. The results showed that an X-ray CT scan can successfully capture the impact of F-T cycles on the structure of air voids in different AC mixtures. The findings of this research provide guidelines for understanding the mechanism of F-T damage within AC, which can assist in optimizing the performance of AC in cold regions.
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Pulmonary aspergillosis is a common fungal infection with several clinical manifestations including invasive, allergic and chronic chest diseases. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a leading cause of death in immunocompromised patients, particularly those receiving chemotherapy and among bone marrow transplant recipients. Aspergillus fumigatus is the most prevalent causative agent and voriconazole is the first-line therapy for IPA. In this study, we report the first isolation of voriconazole-resistant A. fumigatus carrying TR46/Y121F/T289A mutations from an immunocompromised pregnant lady in Kuwait. The patient was successfully treated for a probable respiratory infection with caspofungin and voriconazole. The literature review from PubMed has identified itraconazole-resistant clinical and environmental A. fumigatus isolates with TR34/L98H mutations in the cyp51A from several Middle Eastern countries including Kuwait. However, clinical A. fumigatus isolates with cyp51A TR46/Y121F/T289A mutations have not been reported previously from any country in the region while environmental isolates have been reported only from Iran. The source of voriconazole-resistant A. fumigatus CYP51A TR46/Y121F/T289A mutant in our patient remained unknown. Surveillance for azole resistance among clinical and environmental isolates of A. fumigatus is warranted in Kuwait.
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The recent emergence of new drug technologies such as messenger ribonucleic acid-based vaccines developed to fight the outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic has driven increased demand for delivery solutions capable of withstanding deep cold storage conditions down to -50°C, and even down to -80°C. Although significant data exist for deep cold storage in vials, little evidence is available for pre-filled syringes. Because pre-filled syringes serve as both the storage container and the delivery mechanism, there are additional risks to performance that must be evaluated, such as plunger gliding performance, syringe lubrication, silicone layer stability, and container closure integrity (CCI). In the present study, a comprehensive assessment of functional and physical performances of pre-filled syringes (PFS filled with water) was performed after one or multiple freeze/thaw (F/T) cycles between ambient temperature and various temperature cycles including -40°C, -50°C or -80°C for both 'staked needle' and 'luer lock' configurations. The experiments were guided by historical normative methods such as ISO 11040-4 and USP <1207> and combined with headspace gas analysis for barrel-stopper tightness testing. In addition, they were complemented with a novel approach, namely in situ real-time optical imagery, to track plunger stopper movement during the F/T cycle. The findings indicated that there is no significant impact on the functional performances from F/T down to -80°C, whereas no CCI risk was found after F/T down to -50°C.
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Embalagem de Medicamentos , Seringas , Embalagem de Medicamentos/métodos , Temperatura Baixa , Temperatura , Desempenho Físico Funcional , Armazenamento de Medicamentos/métodosRESUMO
Maize MON 87429 was developed to confer tolerance to dicamba, glufosinate, quizalofop and 2,4-D herbicides. The molecular characterisation data and bioinformatic analyses do not identify issues requiring food/feed safety assessment. None of the identified differences in the agronomic/phenotypic and compositional characteristics tested between maize MON 87429 and its conventional counterpart needs further assessment, except for the levels of phytic acid in grains, which do not raise nutritional and safety concerns. The GMO Panel does not identify safety concerns regarding the toxicity and allergenicity of the DMO, PAT, FT_T and CP4 EPSPS proteins as expressed in maize MON 87429. The GMO Panel finds no evidence that the genetic modification impacts the overall safety of maize MON 87429. In the context of this application, the consumption of food and feed from maize MON 87429 does not represent a nutritional concern in humans and animals. The GMO Panel concludes that maize MON 87429 is as safe as the conventional counterpart and non-GM maize reference varieties tested, and no post-market monitoring of food/feed is considered necessary. In the case of accidental release of viable maize MON 87429 grains into the environment, this would not raise environmental safety concerns. The post-market environmental monitoring plan and reporting intervals are in line with the intended uses of maize MON 87429. The GMO Panel concludes that maize MON 87429, as described in this application, is as safe as its conventional counterpart and the tested non-GM maize reference varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment.
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Frost-induced microstructure degradation of rocks is one of the main reasons for the changes in their dynamic mechanical behavior in cold environments. To this end, computed tomography (CT) was performed to quantify the changes in the microstructure of yellow sandstone after freeze-thaw (F-T) action. On this basis, the influence of the microscopic parameters on the dynamic mechanical behavior was studied. The results showed that the strain rate enhanced the dynamic mechanical properties, but the F-T-induced decrease in strength and elastic modulus increased with increasing strain rate. After 40 F-T cycles, the dynamic strength of the samples increased by 41% to 75.6 MPa when the strain rate was increased from 75 to 115 s-1, which is 2.5 times the static strength. Moreover, the dynamic strength and elastic modulus of the sample were linearly and negatively correlated with the fractal dimension and porosity, with the largest decrease rate at 115 s-1, indicating that the microscopic parameters have a crucial influence on dynamic mechanical behavior. When the fractal dimension was increased from 2.56 to 2.67, the dynamic peak strength of the samples under the three impact loads decreased by 43.7 MPa (75 s), 61.8 MPa (95 s), and 71.4 MPa (115 s), respectively. In addition, a damage evolution model under F-T and impact loading was developed considering porosity variation. It was found that the damage development in the sample was highly related to the strain rate and F-T damage. As the strain rate increases, the strain required for damage development gradually decreases with a lower increase rate. In contrast, the strain required for damage development in the sample increases with increasing F-T damage. The research results can be a reference for constructing and maintaining rock structures in cold regions.