XTT assay for detection of bacterial metabolic activity in water-based polyester polyurethane.

Cellular metabolic activity can be detected by tetrazolium-based colorimetric assays, which rely on dehydrogenase enzymes from living cells to reduce tetrazolium compounds into colored formazan products. Although these methods have been used in different fields of microbiology, their application to the detection of bacteria with plastic-degrading activity has not been well documented. Here, we report a microplate-adapted method for the detection of bacteria metabolically active on the commercial polyester polyurethane (PU) Impranil®DLN using the tetrazolium salt 2,3-bis [2-methyloxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT). Bacterial cells that are active on PU reduce XTT to a water-soluble orange dye, which can be quantitatively measured using a microplate reader. We used the Pseudomonas putida KT2440 strain as a study model. Its metabolic activity on Impranil detected by our novel method was further verified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses. Measurements of the absorbance of reduced XTT at 470 nm in microplate wells were not affected by the colloidal properties of Impranil or cell density. In summary, we provide here an easy and high-throughput method for screening bacteria active on PU that can be adapted to other plastic substrates.

Physicochemical Stability of Hospital Parenteral Nutrition Solutions: Effect of Changes in Composition and Storage Protocol.

(1) Background: Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a technique used for the administration of nutrients to patients for whom traditional routes cannot be used. It is performed using solutions with extremely complex compositions, which can give rise to a large number of interactions. These interactions can impact their stability and put the patient's life at risk. The aim of this study is to determine how changes in composition and storage protocol affect the stability of NP solutions. (2) Methods: Twenty-three samples were prepared according to routine clinical practice, with modifications to the concentration of some components. The samples were stored at room temperature (RT) and refrigerated (4 °C). Measurements of the droplet diameter, pH, density and viscosity were performed for both storage protocols on days 1, 3, 10 and 14. (3) Results: The samples with the lowest concentration of lipids (PN13-17) and proteins (PN18-22) showed a larger droplet diameter than the rest of the samples throughout the experiments. The USP limits were exceeded for some of the measurements of these sample groups. The pH density and viscosity remained relatively constant under the conditions studied. (4) Conclusions: The PN samples were considered stable and safe for administration under real-world conditions, but the samples with the lowest concentrations of lipids and proteins showed a tendency towards emulsion instability.

Electron Microscopy for the Stability Assessment of Parenteral Nutrition Admixtures: Focus on Precipitation.

(1) Background: parenteral nutrition (PN) is indispensable for patients unable to receive oral or enteral feeding. However, the complexity of PN solutions presents challenges regarding stability and compatibility. Precipitation reactions may occur. The most frequent is the formation of calcium phosphate (Ca-P). The different factors influencing these reactions must be considered to ensure patient safety. (2) Methods: eight paediatric PN solutions were prepared, following standard protocols. Samples were stored at room temperature and in a refrigerator. Electron microscopy, coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), was employed. Precipitates were analysed for composition and morphology. (3) Results: precipitates were observed in all samples, even at day 0. Crystalline structures, predominantly composed of calcium or magnesium, sometimes associated with chlorine or phosphorus, were detected. Additionally, amorphous precipitates, contained heterogeneous compositions, including unexpected elements, were identified. (4) Conclusions: various precipitates, primarily calcium- or magnesium-based, can form in PN solutions, although it is not expected that they can form under the real conditions of use. Calcium oxalate precipitation has been characterised, but the use of organic calcium and phosphate salts appears to mitigate calcium phosphate precipitation. Electron microscopy provides interesting results on NP precipitation, but sample preparation may present technical limitations that affect the interpretation of the results.

A Novel Thermo-Alkaline Stable GDSL/SGNH Esterase with Broad Substrate Specificity from a Deep-Sea Pseudomonas sp.

Marine environments harbor a plethora of microorganisms that represent a valuable source of new biomolecules of biotechnological interest. In particular, enzymes from marine bacteria exhibit unique properties due to their high catalytic activity under various stressful and fluctuating conditions, such as temperature, pH, and salinity, fluctuations which are common during several industrial processes. In this study, we report a new esterase (EstGoM) from a marine Pseudomonas sp. isolated at a depth of 1000 m in the Gulf of Mexico. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that EstGoM is an autotransporter esterase (type Va) and belongs to the lipolytic family II, forming a new subgroup. The purified recombinant EstGoM, with a molecular mass of 67.4 kDa, showed the highest hydrolytic activity with p-nitrophenyl octanoate (p-NP C8), although it was also active against p-NP C4, C5, C10, and C12. The optimum pH and temperature for EstGoM were 9 and 60 °C, respectively, but it retained more than 50% of its activity over the pH range of 7-11 and temperature range of 10-75 °C. In addition, EstGoM was tolerant of up to 1 M NaCl and resistant to the presence of several metal ions, detergents, and chemical reagents, such as EDTA and ß-mercaptoethanol. The enzymatic properties of EstGoM make it a potential candidate for several industrial applications.

East Asian summer monsoon delivers large abundances of very-short-lived organic chlorine substances to the lower stratosphere.

Deep convection in the Asian summer monsoon is a significant transport process for lifting pollutants from the planetary boundary layer to the tropopause level. This process enables efficient injection into the stratosphere of reactive species such as chlorinated very-short-lived substances (Cl-VSLSs) that deplete ozone. Past studies of convective transport associated with the Asian summer monsoon have focused mostly on the south Asian summer monsoon. Airborne observations reported in this work identify the East Asian summer monsoon convection as an effective transport pathway that carried record-breaking levels of ozone-depleting Cl-VSLSs (mean organic chlorine from these VSLSs ~500 ppt) to the base of the stratosphere. These unique observations show total organic chlorine from VSLSs in the lower stratosphere over the Asian monsoon tropopause to be more than twice that previously reported over the tropical tropopause. Considering the recently observed increase in Cl-VSLS emissions and the ongoing strengthening of the East Asian summer monsoon under global warming, our results highlight that a reevaluation of the contribution of Cl-VSLS injection via the Asian monsoon to the total stratospheric chlorine budget is warranted.

Evaluation of the Stability of Newborn Hospital Parenteral Nutrition Solutions.

(1) Background: parenteral nutrition (PN) solutions are an extremely complex mixture. It is composed of a multitude of chemical elements that can give rise to a large number of interactions that condition its stability and safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stability of PN solutions for preterm infants. (2) Methods: eight samples were prepared according to the protocol for prescribing PN in preterm infants. Samples PN1-PN7 had the normal progression of macronutrients and standard amounts of micronutrients for a 1 kg preterm infant. The PN8 sample had a high concentration of electrolytes, with the idea of forcing stability limits. Samples were stored both at room temperature and under refrigeration. Measurements of globule size, pH, density, and viscosity were performed in both storage protocols on different days after processing. (3) Results: the changes in the composition of the samples did not affect the evolution of the stability at the different measurement times and temperatures. Viscosity was affected by the compositional changes made in the PN samples, but no alterations due to time or temperature were observed. Density and pH remained stable, without significant changes due to time, storage temperature, or different composition. (4) Conclusion: all samples remained stable during the study period and did not undergo significant alterations due to compositional changes or different experimental conditions.

The alternative sigma factor RpoS regulates Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing response by repressing the pqsABCDE operon and activating vfr.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic pathogen. Several of its virulence-related processes, including the synthesis of pyocyanin (PYO) and biofilm formation, are controlled by quorum sensing (QS). It has been shown that the alternative sigma factor RpoS regulates QS through the reduction of lasR and rhlR transcription (encoding QS regulators). However, paradoxically, the absence of RpoS increases PYO production and biofilm development (that are RhlR dependent) by unknown mechanisms. Here, we show that RpoS represses pqsE transcription, which impacts the stability and activity of RhlR. In the absence of RpoS, rhlR transcript levels are reduced but not the RhlR protein concentration, presumably by its stabilization by PqsE, whose expression is increased. We also report that PYO synthesis and the expression of pqsE and phzA1B1C1D1E1F1G1 operon exhibit the same pattern at different RpoS concentrations, suggesting that the RpoS-dependent PYO production is due to its ability to modify PqsE concentration, which in turn modulates the activation of the phzA1 promoter by RhlR. Finally, we demonstrate that RpoS favors the expression of Vfr, which activates the transcription of lasR and rhlR. Our study contributes to the understanding of how RpoS modulates the QS response in P. aeruginosa, exerting both negative and positive regulation.

Sleep quality and perinatal depression in pregnant women treated in a primary care centre in Lima, Peru.

OBJECTIVE: The aim is to evaluate the association between sleep quality and perinatal depression in pregnant women between the 12th week of gestation and the 36th week of gestation in a maternity and child centre in Lima. METHODS: Analytical cross-sectional study in pregnant women cared for in a primary care centre between August and December 2019. The data were collected through a self-administered survey. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. The evaluation of perinatal depression was performed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). For the multivariate analysis, Poisson regression with robust variances was used to calculate the crude and adjusted prevalence ratios and their respective confidence intervals. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 200 participants. The median [IQR] age was 26 [22-32] years, and 111 (55.5%) pregnancies were unplanned. 52% presented a poor quality of sleep and the risk of perinatal depression was 31.5%. Poor quality of sleep was associated with a significantly higher frequency of perinatal depression (aPR = 4.8 for those with poor quality of sleep warranting medical attention, and aPR = 6.6 for those with poor quality of sleep warranting medical attention and treatment). CONCLUSIONS: There is a possible association between poor sleep quality and perinatal depression in pregnant women between weeks 12 and 36 of gestation. Operational research should be promoted to assess whether interventions to improve sleep quality could have a positive impact on reducing perinatal depression.

Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Chronic Neuropathic Form of Gaucher Disease in the Spanish Real-World Setting: A Retrospective Study.

This was a retrospective, multicenter study that aimed to report the characteristics of type 3 Gaucher disease (GD3) patients in Spain, including the genotype, phenotype, therapeutic options, and treatment responses. A total of 19 patients with GD3 from 10 Spanish hospitals were enrolled in the study (14 men, 5 women). The median age at disease onset and diagnosis was 1 and 1.2 years, respectively, and the mean age at follow-up completion was 12.37 years (range: 1-25 years). Most patients exhibited splenomegaly (18/19) and hepatomegaly (17/19) at the time of diagnosis. The most frequent neurological abnormalities at onset were psychomotor retardation (14/19) and extrinsic muscle disorders (11/19), including oculomotor apraxia, supranuclear palsy, and strabismus. The L444P (c.1448T>C) allele was predominant, with the L444P (c.1448T>C) homozygous genotype mainly associated with visceral manifestations like hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. All patients received enzyme replacement therapy (ERT); other treatments included miglustat and the chaperone (ambroxol). Visceral manifestations, including hepatosplenomegaly and hematological and bone manifestations, were mostly controlled with ERT, except for kyphosis. The data from this study may help to increase the evidence base on this rare disease and contribute to improving the clinical management of GD3 patients.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains belonging to phylogroup 3 frequently exhibit an atypical quorum sensing response: the case of MAZ105, a tomato rhizosphere isolate.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a widespread γ-proteobacterium and an important opportunistic pathogen. The genetically diverse P. aeruginosa phylogroup 3 strains are characterized by producing the pore-forming ExlA toxin and by their lack of a type III secretion system. However, like all strains of this species, they produce several virulence-associated traits, such as elastase, rhamnolipids and pyocyanin, which are regulated by quorum sensing (QS). The P. aeruginosa QS response comprises three systems (Las, Rhl and Pqs, respectively) that hierarchically regulate these virulence factors. The Pqs QS system is composed of the PqsR transcriptional factor, which, coupled with the alkyl-quinolones HHQ or PQS, activates the transcription of the pqsABCDE operon. The products of the first four genes of this operon produce HHQ, which is then converted to PQS by PqsH, while PqsE forms a complex with RhlR and stabilizes it. In this study we report that mutations affecting the Pqs system are particularly common in phylogroup 3 strains. To better understand QS in phylogroup 3 strains we studied strain MAZ105 isolated from tomato rhizosphere and showed that it contains mutations in the central QS transcriptional regulator, LasR, and in the gene encoding the PqsA enzyme involved in the synthesis of PQS. However, it can still produce QS-regulated virulence factors and is virulent in Galleria mellonella and mildly pathogenic in the mouse abscess/necrosis model; our results show that this may be due to the expression of pqsE from a different PqsR-independent promoter than the pqsA promoter. Our results indicate that using anti-virulence therapy based on targeting the PQS system will not be effective against infections by P. aeruginosa phylogroup 3 strains.

Rapid ozone depletion after humidification of the stratosphere by the Hunga Tonga Eruption.

The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano on 15 January 2022 offered a good opportunity to explore the early impacts of tropical volcanic eruptions on stratospheric composition. Balloon-borne observations near Réunion Island revealed the unprecedented amount of water vapor injected by the volcano. The enhanced stratospheric humidity, radiative cooling, and expanded aerosol surface area in the volcanic plume created the ideal conditions for swift ozone depletion of 5% in the tropical stratosphere in just 1 week. The decrease in hydrogen chloride by 0.4 parts per million by volume (ppbv) and the increase in chlorine monoxide by 0.4 ppbv provided compelling evidence for chlorine activation within the volcanic plume. This study enhances our understanding of the effect of this unusual volcanic eruption on stratospheric chemistry and provides insights into possible chemistry changes that may occur in a changing climate.

Draft genome sequence of Pseudomonas sp. GOM6, a lipolytic strain isolated from seawater of the Gulf of Mexico.

We report here the draft genome sequence of a marine Pseudomonas sp. novel species with lipase activity isolated from a deep-sea water sample of the Gulf of Mexico. The genome consists of 4.3 Mbp in 48 contigs.

Genomic and phenotypic characterization of Pseudomonas sp. GOM7, a novel marine bacterial species with antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a serious threat to global health. The development of new drugs to combat infections caused by bacteria resistant to multiple or even all available antibiotics is urgent. Most antibiotics used up to date have been identified from soil microorganisms. The marine environment represents an alternative source with great potential for the identification of microorganisms that produce bioactive molecules, including antibiotics. In this study, we analyzed the antibacterial activity of a collection of 82 bacterial strains isolated from marine water and sediment samples collected from the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico. Eight of the marine isolates inhibited the growth of different pathogenic bacteria, seven of which were identified as presumptive Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Interestingly, genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the remaining marine isolate showing antibacterial activity is a novel Pseudomonas species that we denominated Pseudomonas sp. GOM7, which was not pathogenic in the Galleria mellonella infection model in the conditions tested. Notably, Pseudomonas sp. GOM7 inhibited the growth of multidrug and methicillin-resistant strains of the priority pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. Our results show that the anti-S. aureus compound(s) produced by Pseudomonas sp. GOM7 can be extracted from the culture supernatant of this bacterium with the organic solvent ethyl acetate. Annotation of the Pseudomonas sp. GOM7 genome revealed the presence of several biosynthetic gene clusters predicted to code for possible antimicrobial compounds. Our results further highlight the potential of bacteria from the Gulf of Mexico as a source of novel antimicrobials.

Defining the regulatory mechanisms of sigma factor RpoS degradation in Azotobacter vinelandii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

In several Gram-negative bacteria, the general stress response is mediated by the alternative sigma factor RpoS, a subunit of RNA polymerase that confers promoter specificity. In Escherichia coli, regulation of protein levels of RpoS involves the adaptor protein RssB, which binds RpoS for presenting it to the ClpXP protease for its degradation. However, in species from the Pseudomonadaceae family, RpoS is also degraded by ClpXP, but an adaptor has not been experimentally demonstrated. Here, we investigated the role of an E. coli RssB-like protein in two representative Pseudomonadaceae species such as Azotobacter vinelandii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In these bacteria, inactivation of the rssB gene increased the levels and stability of RpoS during exponential growth. Downstream of rssB lies a gene that encodes a protein annotated as an anti-sigma factor antagonist (rssC). However, inactivation of rssC in both A. vinelandii and P. aeruginosa also increased the RpoS protein levels, suggesting that RssB and RssC work together to control RpoS degradation. Furthermore, we identified an in vivo interaction between RssB and RpoS only in the presence of RssC using a bacterial three-hybrid system. We propose that both RssB and RssC are necessary for the ClpXP-dependent RpoS degradation during exponential growth in two species of the Pseudomonadaceae family.

Unraveling the regulation of pyocyanin synthesis by RsmA through MvaU and RpoS in Pseudomonas aeruginosa ID4365.

Pyocyanin is a phenazine with redox activity produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa that is harmful to other bacteria and eukaryotic organisms by generating reactive oxygen species. Gene regulation of pyocyanin synthesis has been addressed in the PAO1 and PA14 strains and involves the three-quorum sensing systems Las, Rhl, and Pqs; the regulators RsaL, MvaU, and RpoS, and the posttranscriptional Rsm system, among others. Here, we determined how RsmA regulates pyocyanin synthesis in P. aeruginosa ID4365, an overproducer strain. We found that, in the protease peptone glucose ammonium salts medium, rsmA inactivation increases pyocyanin production compared with the wild-type strains ID4365, PAO, and PA14. We showed that RsmA regulates inversely the expression of both phz operons involved in pyocyanin synthesis; particularly the phz2 operon is positively regulated at the transcriptional level indirectly through MvaU. In addition, we found that the phz1 operon contributes mainly to pyocyanin synthesis and that RsmA negatively regulates phzM and phzS expression. Finally, we showed that translation of the sigma factor RpoS is positively regulated by RsmA, and the expression of rpoS under an independent promoter decreases pyocyanin production in the IDrsmA strain. These results indicate that RsmA regulates not only the genes for pyocyanin production but also their regulators.

Telemedicine informatics application for nutritional support surveillance of instutionalized persons in nursing homes from a hospital pharmacy service.

INTRODUCTION: Institutionalized patients who require nutrition support regularly visit the Unit of Nutrition Support of the Hospital Pharmacy  Service. During these visits, prior to establishing a nutrition regime and  followup scheme, an initial nutritional status assessment is performed.  Telemedicine and Telepharmacy have expanded in recent years for remote  monitoring of institutionalized persons. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the implementation of a Telemedicine informatics application for nutritional support surveillance of instutionalized  persons in nursing homes from a hospital pharmacy service. Method: A multidisciplinary team led by the Hospital Pharmacy Service was  created. Data of institutionalized persons in nursing homes needing artificial  nutritional support was extracted from the SILICON prescription system and  the internal ecords of the hospital pharmacy service. Nursing homes were  selected on the basis of their previous experience using the Telemedicine  informatics application TELEA. The following nutritional  support variables were  assessed: score on Mini-Nutritional Assessment questionnaire; a 24-h  food record; pressure ulcer control; and laboratory parameters. The existing  information flow between nursing homes and hospital specialists was analyzed.  The functionalities available on TELEA were considered. RESULTS: In 2021, over 300 institutionalized persons from 28 nursing homes  were incluided for nutritional support surveillance program of the hospital  pharmacy service. The project was implemented in two nursing homes serving  38 patients, although only 13 were involved in the nutrition surveillance  program of the Nutrition Support Unit. Nutritional status assessment and  nutritional support surveillance reports were adapted to the Telemedicine  informatics application. Paper reports were replaced  with electronic data or  online questionnaires available on the informatics application. An information  flow protocol was established. An instantaneous messaging and alert system  was activated, which allowed continuous communication. Some Telepharmacy  requests were categorized as preferential when the clinical status of the patient  so required. All the information generated during the nutritional status  assessment and nutritional support surveillance process was integrated into  the electronic medical history of each patient. CONCLUSIONS: TELEA-based nutritional support surveillance facilitates the  continuum of care by enabling direct communication between nursing homes  and secondary care for institutionalized persons. This model makes it possible  to record nutrition-related data on the electronic medical history of patients  through a Telepharmacy process. This model also eliminates paper  prescriptions and medical reports, and unnecessary travels. A nutritional status  profile should also be made available to facilitate nutrition surveillance in institutionalized persons with chronic diseases. That  would be the first step for a new integrated healthcare informatics application  for frail/polymorbid elderly patients.

Introducción: Los pacientes institucionalizados que requieren soporte  nutricional artificial acuden de forma periódica a las consultas de la Unidad de  Soporte Nutricional del Servicio de Farmacia. En ellas se realiza una  valoración nutricional inicial, a partir de la cual se establece la pauta nutricional  y el plan de seguimiento. La Telemedicina y la Telefarmacia se han  expandido en los últimos años para la monitorización remota de personas  institucionalizadas. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la implementación de una aplicación informática de Telemedicina para la vigilancia del soporte nutricional de personas  nstitucionalizadas en residencias de ancianos desde un servicio de farmacia hospitalaria.Método: Se formó un equipo multidisciplinar liderado por el Servicio de Farmacia. Los datos de pacientes institucionalizados que requieren soporte nutricional artificial se obtuvieron del programa SILICON y de los  registros internos del Servicio de Farmacia. Se eligieron las primeras  residencias candidatas según la experiencia previa en el manejo de la  aplicación informática de asistencia domiciliaria. Se analizaron llas variables de  soporte nutricional necesarias para el seguimiento nutricional: Mini  Nutritional Assessment, recordatorio de ingestas de las últimas 24 horas,  control de úlceras por presión y parámetros analíticos. Se analizó el flujo de  información existente entre las residencias sociosanitarias y la atención  hospitalaria y se valoraron las opciones disponibles a través de la plataforma  tecnológica de asistencia domiciliaria. RESULTADOS: El Servicio de Farmacia realizó seguimiento nutricional a más de  300 pacientes institucionalizados en 28 residencias sociosanitarias en el año  2021. El proyecto se implantó en dos residencias sociosanitarias que cuentan  con 38 pacientes institucionalizados, aunque solo 13 pacientes estaban en  seguimiento por la Unidad de Soporte Nutricional. Todos los registros  generados en la valoración y seguimiento nutricional se adecuaron a la  aplicación informática de asistencia domiciliaria, se cambiaron los registros en  papel por información incluida en la plataforma o cuestionarios online  facilitados a través de la misma. Además, se protocolizó el flujo de información  generada y se activó un sistema de mensajería con alertas que  permite una comunicación continua. En caso de que la situación clínica  del  paciente lo requiera se puede programar una teleconsulta preferente.Toda la  información generada en el proceso de valoración y seguimientonutricional de  cada paciente se integró en la historia clínica electrónica. CONCLUSIONES: El seguimiento nutricional a través de la aplicación informática de asistencia domiciliaria facilita la continuidad asistencial por el establecimiento de una comunicación directa entre las residencias  sociosanitarias y la atención hospitalaria, permitiendo la integración de la  información nutricional de los pacientes en la historia clínica electrónica  mediante un proceso de Telefarmacia. Se han eliminado las prescripciones en  papel, informes clínicos impresos y los desplazamientos innecesarios. El  desarrollo de este perfil podría ser extensible al seguimiento nutricional de  pacientes con patologías crónicas, y ser el precedente de un nuevo programa  de cuidado integral del paciente anciano frágil o pluripatológico.

The ribosome rescue pathways SsrA-SmpB, ArfA, and ArfB mediate tolerance to heat and antibiotic stresses in Azotobacter vinelandii.

Bacteria have a mechanism to rescue stalled ribosomes known as trans-translation consisting of SsrA, a transfer-messenger RNA (tmRNA), and the small protein SmpB. Other alternative rescue mechanisms mediated by ArfA and ArfB proteins are present only in some species. Ribosome rescue mechanisms also play a role in tolerance to antibiotics and various stresses such as heat. This study shows that the genome of the soil bacterium A. vinelandii harbours genes encoding for tmRNA, SmpB, two paralogs of ArfA (arfA1 and arfA2), and ArfB. A number of mutant strains carrying mutations in the ssrA, arfA1, arfA2, and arfB genes were constructed and tested for their growth and susceptibility to heat and the antibiotic tetracycline. We found that the inactivation of both ssrA and one or the two arfA genes was detrimental to growth and caused a higher susceptibility to heat and to the antibiotic tetracycline. Interestingly, the arfB mutant strain was unable to grow after 2 h of incubation at 45°C. Inactivation of arfB in the ssrA-arfA1-arfA2 strain caused a lethal phenotype since the quadruple mutant could not be isolated. Taken together, our data suggest that both arfA1 and arfA2, as well as arfB, are functional as back up mechanisms, and that the ArfB pathway has an essential role that confers A. vinelandii resistance to high temperatures.

Aplicación informática de Telemedicina parala vigilancia del soporte nutricional de personas institucionalizadas en residencias de ancianos desde un servicio de farmacia hospitalaria / Telemedicine informatics application for nutritional support surveillance of instutionalized persons in nursing homes from a hospital pharmacy service

Introducción: Los pacientes institucionalizados que requieren soporte nutricional artificial acuden de forma periódica a las consultas de la Unidad deSoporte Nutricional del Servicio de Farmacia. En ellas se realiza una valoración nutricional inicial, a partir de la cual se establece la pauta nutricional y elplan de seguimiento. La Telemedicina y la Telefarmacia se han expandido enlos últimos años para la monitorización remota de personas institucionalizadas.Objetivo: Evaluar la implementación de una aplicación informática deTelemedicina para la vigilancia del soporte nutricional de personas institucionalizadas en residencias de ancianos desde un servicio de farmaciahospitalaria.Método: Se formó un equipo multidisciplinar liderado por el Servicio deFarmacia. Los datos de pacientes institucionalizados que requieren soportenutricional artificial se obtuvieron del programa SILICON y de los registrosinternos del Servicio de Farmacia. Se eligieron las primeras residenciascandidatas según la experiencia previa en el manejo de la aplicación informática de asistencia domiciliaria. Se analizaron llas variables de soportenutricional necesarias para el seguimiento nutricional: Mini NutritionalAssessment, recordatorio de ingestas de las últimas 24 horas, control deúlceras por presión y parámetros analíticos. Se analizó el flujo de información existente entre las residencias sociosanitarias y la atención hospitalariay se valoraron las opciones disponibles a través de la plataforma tecnológica de asistencia domiciliaria.Resultados: El Servicio de Farmacia realizó seguimiento nutricional amás de 300 pacientes institucionalizados en 28 residencias sociosanitariasen el año 2021. (AU)

Introduction: Institutionalized patients who require nutrition supportregularly visit the Unit of Nutrition Support of the Hospital Pharmacy Service. During these visits, prior to establishing a nutrition regime and followup scheme, an initial nutritional status assessment is performed. Telemedicine and Telepharmacy have expanded in recent years for remotemonitoring of institutionalized persons.Objective: To evaluate the implementation of a Telemedicine informaticsapplication for nutritional support surveillance of instutionalized persons innursing homes from a hospital pharmacy service.Method: A multidisciplinary team led by the Hospital Pharmacy Servicewas created. Data of institutionalized persons in nursing homes needingartificial nutritional support was extracted from the SILICON prescriptionsystem and the internal ecords of the hospital pharmacy service. Nursing homes were selected on the basis of their previous experience usingthe Telemedicine informatics application TELEA. The following nutritional support variables were assessed: score on Mini-Nutritional Assessmentquestionnaire; a 24-h food record; pressure ulcer control; and laboratoryparameters. The existing information flow between nursing homes andhospital specialists was analyzed. The functionalities available on TELEAwere considered.Results: In 2021, over 300 institutionalized persons from 28 nursinghomes were incluided for nutritional support surveillance program of thehospital pharmacy service. The project was implemented in two nursinghomes serving 38 patients, although only 13 were involved in the nutrition surveillance program of the Nutrition Support Unit. Nutritional statusassessment and nutritional support surveillance reports were adapted tothe Telemedicine informatics application. (AU)

Stability of lipid emulsion in total parenteral nutrition: An overview of literature.

BACKGOUND AND AIMS: Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is an extremely complex mixture. The multitude of chemical compounds involved can give rise to numerous reactions that condition its stability. We set out to review the existing literature on different issues related to stability, and which are still of concern in the hospital environment; such as the stability of the lipid emulsion. In addition, we analyse other related factors and parameters that allow us to predict the stability of TPN based on the composition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: we searched PubMed and Google Scholar, over the date range 1995-2019 for relevant studies about TPN stability. We included experimental studies where the physical stability of the lipid emulsion in TPN had been analysed. We applied specific exclusion criteria. RESULTS: we included 20 papers in this review of TPN stability. The studies combined different analytical techniques to assess the stability. In all the studies, the mean droplet diameter (MDD) is measured and the stability analysis is completed with other measurements. Temperature and components concentration are also considered. CONCLUSIONS: studies on the stability of TPN used differing components with different chemical characteristics and their results can be difficult to extrapolate. There is no clear consensus about the composition of the mixtures and there is also great variety in the analytical techniques that were used to analyse stability. It is necessary to conduct new studies to update information on TPN stability.

Biotechnological applications of marine bacteria in bioremediation of environments polluted with hydrocarbons and plastics.

Marine ecosystems are some of the most adverse environments on Earth and contain a considerable portion of the global bacterial population, and some of these bacterial species play pivotal roles in several biogeochemical cycles. Marine bacteria have developed different molecular mechanisms to address fluctuating environmental conditions, such as changes in nutrient availability, salinity, temperature, pH, and pressure, making them attractive for use in diverse biotechnology applications. Although more than 99% of marine bacteria cannot be cultivated with traditional microbiological techniques, several species have been successfully isolated and grown in the laboratory, facilitating investigations of their biotechnological potential. Some of these applications may contribute to addressing some current global problems, such as environmental contamination by hydrocarbons and synthetic plastics. In this review, we first summarize and analyze recently published information about marine bacterial diversity. Then, we discuss new literature regarding the isolation and characterization of marine bacterial strains able to degrade hydrocarbons and petroleum-based plastics, and species able to produce biosurfactants. We also describe some current limitations for the implementation of these biotechnological tools, but also we suggest some strategies that may contribute to overcoming them. KEY POINTS: • Marine bacteria have a great metabolic capacity to degrade hydrocarbons in harsh conditions. • Marine environments are an important source of new bacterial plastic-degrading enzymes. • Secondary metabolites from marine bacteria have diverse potential applications in biotechnology.