Consenso latinoamericano sobre la importancia de un sistema de gestión de datos microbiológicos para apoyar el programa de optimización de uso de antimicrobianos (PROA): Recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia. Parte 1 / Latin American consensus on the importance of a microbiological data management system to support antimicrobial use optimization program (PROA): Evidence-based recommendations. Part 1

La resistencia antimicrobiana es una amenaza para los logros de la medicina moderna y una de las medidas más efectivas para contrarrestarla son los programas de optimización del uso de antimicrobianos (PROA), en el cual el laboratorio de microbiología es uno de los principales componentes. La aplicación efectiva de tecnología de la información en los procesos es fundamental, pero existe poca información en Latinoamérica sobre el desarrollo y la articulación de las herramientas tecnológicas para apoyar los PROA. Este consenso hace recomendaciones sobre la gestión de los datos microbiológicos para la toma de decisiones. En la Parte I, se presentan las recomendaciones en cuanto al uso de un sistema informatizado de gestión de datos microbiológicos en la práctica clínica, los requerimientos de datos y de reporte en el laboratorio de microbiología, y los contenidos del sistema de gestión de calidad avanzado en el laboratorio. En la Parte II, se discuten los requerimientos de información para la gestión de PROA en estadios intermedios, iniciales y avanzados por el laboratorio y la farmacia; así como la integración del equipo de PROA con el Comité de Prevención y Control de Infecciones y la información para la gestión de PROA a nivel gerencial.

Antimicrobial resistance is a threat to the achievements of modern medicine and one of the most effective measures to counteract it is antimicrobial use optimization programs (AMS), in which the microbiology laboratory is one of the main components. The effective application of information technology in the processes is fundamental, but there is little information in Latin America on the development and articulation of technological tools to support AMSs. This consensus makes recommendations on the management of microbiological data for decision making. In Part I, recommendations on the use of a computerized microbiological data management system in clinical practice, data and reporting requirements in the microbiology laboratory, as well as the contents of the advanced quality management system in the laboratory are presented. In Part II, the information requirements for AMS management in intermediate, initial, and advanced stages by the laboratory and pharmacy are discussed; as well as the integration of the AMS team with the Infection Prevention and Control Committee and the information for AMS management at the management level.

The potential of accelerator-based techniques as an analytical tool for forensics: The case of coffee.

We discuss how different accelerator-based techniques can be employed synergistically as a powerful analytical tool for forensic studies of foodstuff. Brazilian and Jamaican coffees were chosen as a showcase due to its popularity and potential risk of adulteration and/or falsification. Comprehensive characterization of major and trace elements, age since production and compound contents were achieved using different techniques, including PIXE (Particle-Induced X-ray Emission), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared), and AMS-14C (Accelerator Mass Spectrometry - Radiocarbon Analysis). While PIXE provides information on the elements present in the samples, FTIR probes the types of compounds through their vibrational spectra. Finally, AMS-14C is capable of dating organic samples regarding their harvesting time. Five different laboratories from research institutions around the world took part in the experiments. The integration of the results obtained with different techniques provided multifaceted perspectives on the coffee under study, thus allowing a direct assessment of the material for forensic purposes such as authentication, determination of provenance, and combat counterfeiting.

Physiological Responses at Rest and Exercise to High Altitude in Lowland Children and Adolescents.

During the last decades, the number of lowland children exposed to high altitude (HA) has increased drastically. Several factors may influence the development of illness after acute HA exposure on children and adolescent populations, such as altitude reached, ascent velocity, time spent at altitude and, especially, their age. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the resting cardiorespiratory physiological and submaximal exercise responses under natural HA conditions by means of the six-minute walking test (six MWT). Secondly, we aimed to identify the signs and symptoms associated with acute mountain sickness (AMS) onset after acute HA exposure in children and adolescents. Forty-two children and adolescents, 18 boys and 24 girls aged from 11 to 15 years old, participated in this study, which was performed at sea level (SL) and during the first 42 h at HA (3330 m). The Lake Louise score (LLS) was recorded in order to evaluate the evolution of AMS symptoms. Submaximal exercise tests (six MWT) were performed at SL and HA. Physiological parameters such as heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate and arterialized oxygen saturation were measured at rest and after ending exercise testing at the two altitudes. After acute HA exposure, the participants showed lower arterial oxygen saturation levels at rest and after the submaximal test compared to SL (p < 0.001). Resting heart rate, respiratory rate and diastolic blood pressure presented higher values at HA (p < 0.01). Moreover, heart rate, diastolic blood pressure and dyspnea values increased before, during and after exercise at HA (p < 0.01). Moreover, submaximal exercise performance decreased at HA (p < 0.001). The AMS incidence at HA ranged from 9.5% to 19%, with mild to moderate symptoms. In conclusion, acute HA exposure in children and adolescent individuals produces an increase in basal cardiorespiratory parameters and a decrement in arterial oxygen saturation. Moreover, cardiorespiratory parameters increase during submaximal exercise at HA. Mild to moderate symptoms of AMS at 3330 m and adequate cardiovascular responses to submaximal exercise do not contraindicate the ascension of children and adolescents to that altitude, at least for a limited period of time.

Effects of 3-Heptyl-3,4,6-trimethoxy-3H-isobenzofuran-1-one alone or/in association with cyclophosphamide on testicular function.

Chemotherapy for cancer treatment may result in a temporary or long-term gonadal damage resulting in subfertility or infertility. Cyclophosphamide (CY) is a cytotoxic alkylating agent that has been widely used in the treatment of cancer. Recent studies have shown that synthetic resorcinol lipid AMS35AA (3-Heptyl-3,4,6-trimethoxy-3H-isobenzofuran-1-one) may be an important adjuvant chemotherapy that potentiates mutagenic damage and increases apoptosis caused by CY. The present study investigates the action of AMS35AA alone or/in association with CY on testicular function. Animals were divided into four groups: (a) control group: received only water; (b) CY group: received 150 µg/g of CY b.w., i.p.; (c) AMS35AA group: received 10 µg/g of AMS35AA b.w., i.p; and (d) associated group: received 10 µg/g of AMS35AA + 150 µg/g of CY b.w., i.p. Four weeks after the treatment, the results showed that testes weight of CY and associated groups decreased. However, the number of Sertoli cell and Leydig cell per testis was similar in control and treated groups. Our findings provide strong evidence that the AMS35AA alone or in CY association is not toxic to spermatogenesis. The absence of toxicity of AMS35AA supports the view that the resorcinolic lipid could be used associated with CY chemotherapy without causing adverse effects to testes function.

Copro-prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in Chilean breed horses in the province of Concepción, Chile / Copro-prevalência de Fasciola hepatica em equinos de raça chilena na província de Concepción, Chile

Abstract The aim of this research was to assess the copro-prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in owned Chilean breed horses (Equus caballus) residing in the province of Concepción, Chile. The study was carried out throughout October 2017. Samples were taken from all (100%) Chilean breed horse (124 specimens; 45 females and 79 males, aged between 7 months and 24 years old) from the Concepción province. A rectal stool sample was obtained from each animal. This was analyzed using the Army Medical School method (AMS III) technique to detect F. hepatica eggs. Information about the horse's age, sex, previous fasciolicide application, and an assessment of body condition was also obtained. Fisher tests were carried out to analyze the results. Ten horses (8.06%) were positive for the presence of F. hepatica eggs. No significant difference of copro-prevalence was found between age (young 8.47%, old 7.69%), sex (female 11.1%, male 6.33%), the previous application of fasciolicide (dewormed 10%, not dewormed 7.89%), or body condition (low condition 11.1%, high condition 0.7%) categories (Fisher tests: P>0.05 in all cases). The results of this study suggest that Chilean breed horses constitute part of the reservoir of F. hepatica for both ruminant populations and humans in the Concepción province.

Resumo O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a coproprevalência de Fasciola hepatica em equinos chilenos (Equus caballus), residentes na província de Concepción, região de Bío-Bío, Chile. O estudo foi realizado durante o mês de outubro de 2017. Foram coletadas amostras de todos os equinos estabulados (124 espécimes; 45 fêmeas e 79 machos, com idades entre 7 meses e 24 anos) da província de Concepción. Uma amostra de fezes transretal foi obtida de cada animal, analisada no Laboratório "Dr. Luis Rubilar", da Universidad de Concepción, usando-se a técnica AMS III, para detectar a presença de ovos de F. hepatica. O diagnóstico fecal foi complementado com informações sobre a idade do animal, sexo, aplicação prévia de fasciolicida e uma avaliação da condição corporal. Testes de Fisher foram realizados para analisar os resultados. Dos 124 equinos, 10 (8,06%) foram positivos para ovos de F. hepatica. Não foi encontrada associação significativa entre idade, sexo, aplicação prévia de fasciolicida ou condição corporal com a presença de ovos. Um cavalo tratado com triclabendazol foi positivo para ovos de F. hepatica.

Copro-prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in Chilean breed horses in the province of Concepción, Chile / Copro-prevalência de Fasciola hepatica em equinos de raça chilena na província de Concepción, Chile

The aim of this research was to assess the copro-prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in owned Chilean breed horses (Equus caballus) residing in the province of Concepción, Chile. The study was carried out throughout October 2017. Samples were taken from all (100%) Chilean breed horse (124 specimens; 45 females and 79 males, aged between 7 months and 24 years old) from the Concepción province. A rectal stool sample was obtained from each animal. This was analyzed using the Army Medical School method (AMS III) technique to detect F. hepatica eggs. Information about the horses age, sex, previous fasciolicide application, and an assessment of body condition was also obtained. Fisher tests were carried out to analyze the results. Ten horses (8.06%) were positive for the presence of F. hepatica eggs. No significant difference of copro-prevalence was found between age (young 8.47%, old 7.69%), sex (female 11.1%, male 6.33%), the previous application of fasciolicide (dewormed 10%, not dewormed 7.89%), or body condition (low condition 11.1%, high condition 0.7%) categories (Fisher tests: P>0.05 in all cases). The results of this study suggest that Chilean breed horses constitute part of the reservoir of F. hepatica for both ruminant populations and humans in the Concepción province.(AU)

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a coproprevalência de Fasciola hepatica em equinos chilenos (Equus caballus), residentes na província de Concepción, região de Bío-Bío, Chile. O estudo foi realizado durante o mês de outubro de 2017. Foram coletadas amostras de todos os equinos estabulados (124 espécimes; 45 fêmeas e 79 machos, com idades entre 7 meses e 24 anos) da província de Concepción. Uma amostra de fezes transretal foi obtida de cada animal, analisada no Laboratório “Dr. Luis Rubilar”, da Universidad de Concepción, usando-se a técnica AMS III, para detectar a presença de ovos de F. hepatica. O diagnóstico fecal foi complementado com informações sobre a idade do animal, sexo, aplicação prévia de fasciolicida e uma avaliação da condição corporal. Testes de Fisher foram realizados para analisar os resultados. Dos 124 equinos, 10 (8,06%) foram positivos para ovos de F. hepatica. Não foi encontrada associação significativa entre idade, sexo, aplicação prévia de fasciolicida ou condição corporal com a presença de ovos. Um cavalo tratado com triclabendazol foi positivo para ovos de F. hepatica.(AU)

Insecticide Transfer Efficiency and Lethal Load in Argentine Ants.

Trophallaxis between individual worker ants and the toxicant load in dead and live Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) in colonies exposed to fipronil and hydramethylnon experimental baits were examined using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). About 50% of the content of the crop containing trace levels of 14C-sucrose, 14C-hydramethylnon, and 14C-fipronil was shared between single donor and recipient ants. Dead workers and queens contained significantly more hydramethylnon (122.7 and 22.4 amol/µg ant, respectively) than did live workers and queens (96.3 and 10.4 amol/µg ant, respectively). Dead workers had significantly more fipronil (420.3 amol/µg ant) than did live workers (208.5 amol/µg ant), but dead and live queens had equal fipronil levels (59.5 and 54.3 amol/µg ant, respectively). The distribution of fipronil differed within the bodies of dead and live queens; the highest amounts of fipronil were recovered in the thorax of dead queens whereas live queens had the highest levels in the head. Resurgence of polygynous ant colonies treated with hydramethylnon baits may be explained by queen survival resulting from sublethal doses due to a slowing of trophallaxis throughout the colony. Bait strategies and dose levels for controlling insect pests need to be based on the specific toxicant properties and trophic strategies for targeting the entire colony.