PCR-tips for rapid diagnosis of bacterial pathogens.

Micropipette tips are currently among the most used disposable devices in bioresearch and development laboratories. Their main application is the fractionation of solutions. New functionalities have recently been added to this device, widening their applications. This paper analyzed disposable micropipette tips as reagent holders of PCR reagents. PCR has become a prevalent and often indispensable technique in biological laboratories for various applications, such as the detection of coronavirus and other infectious diseases. A functional micropipette tip was implemented to simplify PCR analysis and reduce the contamination chances of deoxynucleotides and specific primers. This disposable device is prepared by tip coating processes of reagents, using polyvinyl alcohol polymer and additives. The coated layer is optimized to load and release PCR reagents efficiently. As a proof of concept, we show that the detection of Bordetella pertussis, the etiological agent of whooping cough whose diagnostic relies on PCR, can be quickly done using practical-functional tips. This device is an excellent example of testing the functionality and contribution of molecular diagnostic PCR tips. KEY POINTS: • Functional micropipette tips are prepared by coating with dNTPs and primers. • Functional tips are used to replace dNTPs and primers in the PCR master mix. • PCR diagnostic of Bordetella pertussis is performed using functional tips.

Stabilized naked sub-nanometric Cu clusters within a polymeric film catalyze C-N, C-C, C-O, C-S, and C-P bond-forming reactions.

Sub-nanometric Cu clusters formed by endogenous reduction of Cu salts and Cu nanoparticles are active and selective catalysts for C-N, C-C, C-O, C-S, and C-P bond-forming reactions. Sub-nanometric Cu clusters have also been generated within a polymeric film and stored with full stability for months. In this way, they are ready to be used on demand and maintain high activity (TONs up to 10(4)) and selectivity for the above reactions. A potential mechanism for the formation of the sub-nanometric clusters and their electronic nature is presented.

Respiratory mechanics in late COVID-19 ARDS - a restrictive pattern is strongly associated with death. A cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is associated with severe respiratory distress and high mortality. We investigated the evolution of the respiratory mechanics in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and the occurrence of a restrictive respiratory pattern. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, single-centre study including patients admitted to the ICU during the first wave of the pandemic (March-April 2020). RESULTS: A total of 141 consecutive patients were included. Many patients developed a restrictive pattern of respiratory mechanics during the course of the disease. Fifty-two patients died in the hospital (36.8%). In 29 cases (58% of the deceased) death was associated with a pattern of pulmonary mechanics, indicating a restrictive evolution of ARDS. Other diagnoses related to death were pulmonary embolism (n = 7, 14%), septic shock (n = 17, 33%), and other causes (n = 10, 20%), with some patients combining at least 2 of these diagnoses. In a multivariate analysis, age (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01-1.12; P = 0.029) and the administration of steroid pulses (OR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.1-6.8; P = 0.03) were associated with the development of a restrictive pulmonary pattern and a higher level of plasmatic interleukin-6. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 ARDS is associated with high mortality associated with a specific pattern of respiratory mechanics and sustained activation of innate immunological response. Age and administration of high-dose steroid pulses are associated with this clinical picture.

Distribución de patologías dentarias y predominancia de la mano utilizada para el cepillado en niños que acudieron a la cátedra de odontopediatria e higiene en la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción / Distribution and prevalence of dental pathologies of the hand used for brushing in children presenting to the department of pediatric dentistry and hygiene at the Faculty of Dentistry at the National University of Asuncion

El cuerpo humano presenta partes anatómicas pares y simétricas de forma global. A pesar de la simetría, en su funcionamiento se utiliza preferentemente un lado frente al otro, concepto que corresponde al de lateralidad. La lateralización es la supremacía de un hemisferio cerebral sobre el otro, la preferencia del uso de un hemicuerpo sobre el otro. La dominancia es el predominio de un miembro del cuerpo sobre su simétrico, por ejemplo una mano sobre la otra. A veces, se observan patologías orales como caries y gingivitis en la cavidad bucal de un paciente, con predominancia en una hemiarcada. En este estudio se evaluó la distribución lateral de las patología orales y la predominancia de uso de una de las manos en 71 niños de 6 a 17 años que acudieron en la cátedra de odontopediatria e higiene de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción como pacientes o acompañantes, en el mes de junio en el año 2012. Fue un estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal, con el componente analítico. Se observó en los pacientes si éstos eran diestros o zurdos, la presencia de caries, manchas blancas, dientes perdidos y obturados, y la técnica de cepillado. Al promediar el número de patologías por lado en la totalidad de los pacientes se encontró en el lado derecho 50,2% y en el lado izquierdo 49,8% no siendo significativas las diferencias según el lado. (P=0,954).