Simultaneous Detection and Photocatalysis Performed on a 3D Graphene/ZnO Hybrid Platform.

The synergy between graphene foam (Gf) and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) allows the detection of analytes at low conentrations, which can be subsequently photocatalyzed on the hybrid surface as well as in the liquid phase upon illumination with low-power UV-vis light-emitting diode (LED) lamps. Detection of methylene blue (MB) and bisphenol A (BPA) is monitored either by graphene-enhanced Raman scattering (GERS) or molecular doping/sensing upon analyte adsorption. Using GERS, we were able to detect concentrations as low as 0.3 ppm of MB, which remained adsorbed on the graphene surface after a photocatalytic conversion of 88% (total conversion). The photocatalysis performances of BPA and MB performed in the liquid phase were lower and corresponded to 73 and 33% as indicated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and UV-vis, respectively. The kinetics of photocatalysis was fitted with a quasi-first-order reaction, and the apparent rate constant (kapp) was calculated according to the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. The fastest kinetics was achieved with the hybrid platform named "Gf-ZnO400", which was thermally treated at high temperatures and with most of the Ni etched away. This is consistent with the excellent electronic interaction between ZnO and graphene foam as indicated by photoelectrochemistry analysis. We mainly employed Raman scattering and UV-vis spectroscopy analyses for detection and photocatalysis applications; however, we also used other complementary techniques such as focused ion-beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), diffuse reflectance, GC/MS, and photoelectrochemistry to explore the synergetic behavior of these two nanomaterials. This work brings about new insights into the detection of analyte molecules followed by photocatalysis performed in the solid and liquid states.

Controlled-release oxycodone improves pain management after uterine artery embolisation for symptomatic fibroids.

AIM: To evaluate if pre- and post-procedure administration of controlled-release oxycodone (CRO) in combination with standard analgesia improves pain control and decreases the amount of required post-procedure opioids in uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2009 and March 2010, 60 consecutive women were prospectively randomised in two groups for UFE: the control group, in which 30 patients underwent the standard anaesthetic procedure and the CRO group, in which 30 patients underwent the standard anaesthetic procedure with the addition of CRO. Age, pain, nausea/vomiting, fibroid volume, length of hospital stay, and use and dose of morphine received via the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device in both groups were evaluated to compare the two methods of pain control. Fibroid volume as measured at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was evaluated for correlation with post-embolisation pelvic pain over a period of 24 hours. RESULTS: A significant difference was seen in the pain scores at 24 hours (p=0.029), with less pain in the CRO group. More patients from the control group required morphine (p=0.017), and at higher levels (p=0.130). Pruritus was lower in patients of the CRO group, probably because they received less morphine (p=0.029). No correlation was seen between leiomyoma volume and pain levels over 24 hours (Spearman's ρ=0.02; p=0.881). Length of hospital stay was not different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The addition of CRO to standard analgesia for UFE provides more effective analgesia, with a reduction in pain scores in 24 hours, less morphine use, and decreased side effects, mainly pruritus.

Presence of residual basal cell carcinoma in re-excised specimens is more probable when deep and lateral margins were positive.

In order to quantify presence of residual BCC in patients with histologic positive margins after the first excision and to correlate the presence of residual tumor in re-excised lesions with the location of the positive margin on the first excision, a retrospective evaluation of 2053 surgically treated BCC was performed. Only 38.3% of the re-excised lesions showed residual tumor. In the group of re-excised lesions where residual BCC was found, 13% had lateral positive margin in the first excision, 39% had deep positive margin and 48% had both lateral and deep positive margins. In the group of re-excised lesions where no residual BCC was found, 49% of the primary excised lesions had lateral positive margin, 32% had deep positive margin and 19% had both deep and lateral positive margins. The association between residual tumor and positive margins was statistically significant (p = 0.01). Our findings confirm that presence of residual tumour is more likely when both lateral and deep margins are compromised.

Characterization of Bordetella bronchiseptica strains using phenotypic and genotypic markers.

Thirty-five strains of Bordetella bronchiseptica, recovered primarily from pigs, rabbits, dogs, cats and humans, were characterized by phenotypic and genotypic markers. Biochemical typing only showed variation in the ability to reduce nitrate to nitrite. OMP profiles from virulent strains showed variations in the region of 85-95kDa, which lead us to describe five OMP-types alpha, beta, gamma, delta and epsilon. Genotypic markers included the presence of IS1001, and polymorphisms in the flagellin gene (flaA) and pertussis toxin (PT) promoter region. The IS1001 was detected in 16 isolates (2 from humans and 10 from pigs) but was absent in rabbit isolates. The restriction profiles of the flaA gene allowed us to differentiate the strains into types A-C. The PT types were characterized by an RFLP assay and could be typed through patterns III-V. There was no apparent association between the flaA or PT types and the origin of the isolates. Eleven groups of isolates were identified on the basis of specific combinations of the analyzed markers. The combination of phenotypic and genotypic tests used could be useful in characterizing isolates and differentiating between certain clonal types of B. bronchiseptica.

[Biotyping and molecular phenotypic characterization of Bordetella bronchiseptica]. / Biotipificación y caracterización fenotípica molecular de Bordetella bronchiseptica.

In the present study biochemical tests and outer membrane protein profile (OMP) capacity for typing Bordetella bronchiseptica field isolates were evaluated. The biochemical tests were performed by API 20NE system. OMP enriched fractions were obtained from cultures under virulent and modulated conditions and were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). We have identified five patterns by differences in the bands in the 85-95 kDa region (alpha, beta, gamma, delta and epsilon) from virulent cultures; and three different patterns by the flagellin expressed isotype from modulated cultures (A: 40 kDa, B: 45 kDa, and C: 40 and 45 kD simultaneously). Isotypes alpha, beta and gamma were linked to isotpye A, isotype delta to B and C, and isotypes epsilon to B. There is no evident correlation between characterized isotypes and the origin of the isolate. Nitrate reduction was the unique variable biochemical characteristic, only observed in rabbit isolates. It was possible to differentiate seven groups with the traits included in the study. The capacity of discrimination of the traits analyzed using the Hunter and Gaston index was 0.829.

Biotipificación y caracterización fenotípica molecular de Bordetella bronchiseptica. / [Biotyping and molecular phenotypic characterization of Bordetella bronchiseptica]

In the present study biochemical tests and outer membrane protein profile (OMP) capacity for typing Bordetella bronchiseptica field isolates were evaluated. The biochemical tests were performed by API 20NE system. OMP enriched fractions were obtained from cultures under virulent and modulated conditions and were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). We have identified five patterns by differences in the bands in the 85-95 kDa region (alpha, beta, gamma, delta and epsilon) from virulent cultures; and three different patterns by the flagellin expressed isotype from modulated cultures (A: 40 kDa, B: 45 kDa, and C: 40 and 45 kD simultaneously). Isotypes alpha, beta and gamma were linked to isotpye A, isotype delta to B and C, and isotypes epsilon to B. There is no evident correlation between characterized isotypes and the origin of the isolate. Nitrate reduction was the unique variable biochemical characteristic, only observed in rabbit isolates. It was possible to differentiate seven groups with the traits included in the study. The capacity of discrimination of the traits analyzed using the Hunter and Gaston index was 0.829.

Biotipificación y caracterización fenotípica molecular de Bordetella bronchiseptica / [Biotyping and molecular phenotypic characterization of Bordetella bronchiseptica]

In the present study biochemical tests and outer membrane protein profile (OMP) capacity for typing Bordetella bronchiseptica field isolates were evaluated. The biochemical tests were performed by API 20NE system. OMP enriched fractions were obtained from cultures under virulent and modulated conditions and were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). We have identified five patterns by differences in the bands in the 85-95 kDa region (alpha, beta, gamma, delta and epsilon) from virulent cultures; and three different patterns by the flagellin expressed isotype from modulated cultures (A: 40 kDa, B: 45 kDa, and C: 40 and 45 kD simultaneously). Isotypes alpha, beta and gamma were linked to isotpye A, isotype delta to B and C, and isotypes epsilon to B. There is no evident correlation between characterized isotypes and the origin of the isolate. Nitrate reduction was the unique variable biochemical characteristic, only observed in rabbit isolates. It was possible to differentiate seven groups with the traits included in the study. The capacity of discrimination of the traits analyzed using the Hunter and Gaston index was 0.829.

Uterine artery embolization for the treatment of uterine leiomyomata.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the results of the uterine artery embolization (UAE) for the treatment of uterine fibroids. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with ultrasonographic diagnosis of uterine leiomyomata were submitted to UAE with polyvinyl alcohol particles. Imaging and clinical follow-up was performed before the procedure, at 3 months, and 1 year after. RESULTS: All procedures but one were technically successful. Control of menorrhagia and pelvic pain were reported after UAE by 87.5% and 84.2% of patients, respectively. The initial medium uterine volume was 385 cm(3), after 3 months 255 cm(3) and after 1 year 202 cm(3). The mean uterine volume decrease was 29% after 3 months and 41% after 1 year of follow-up (P<0.001). Clinical and biochemical findings consistent with ovarian failure were observed in three patients (12% of the patients). CONCLUSIONS: UAE represents a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of uterine leiomyomata. The procedure appears effective in controlling symptoms and represents an alternative to hysterectomy.

Phenotype evaluation of Bordetella bronchiseptica cultures by urease activity and Congo red affinity.

AIMS: The present study shows that Congo red binding and urease activity assays are useful for selection of virulent (Bvg+) Bordetella bronchiseptica cultures. METHODS AND RESULTS: Congo red binding and urease activity of Bvg+ B. bronchiseptica cultures in different liquid media were compared with the expression of virulence markers such as filamentous haemagglutinin and some outer membrane proteins (OMP). The correlation with the reference virulence markers allowed the establishment of cut-off values for the proposed markers to assure the virulent phenotype (> or = 26 nmol ml-1 of CR and < or = 2.6 U). Using both assays, modulated cultures with avirulent phenotype (Stainer-Scholte broth, with MgSO4 20 mmol l-1 and brain heart infusion broth) and semi-modulated cultures with intermediate phenotypes (tryptose phosphate broth and 83% Stainer-Scholte with MgSO4 5 mmol l-1 cultures) could be distinguished. CONCLUSION: CR binding assay and urease activity are specific and sensitive enough to detect intermediate phenotypes that could only be detected by subtle changes in OMP profiles. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The production of effective veterinary vaccines is hampered by reversible B. bronchiseptica antigenic modulation. The proposed assays are technically suitable for selection of virulent cultures to optimize vaccine production.