Application of Molecular Typing Methods to the Study of Medically Relevant Gram-Positive Cocci

The development of molecular genotyping methods has been a landmark in the possibility of classifying microorganisms below the species level. The ability to differentiate efficiently related bacterial isolates is essential for the control of infectious diseases and has become a necessary technology for clinical microbiology laboratories. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the methods available for analyzing bacterial isolates, focusing on those methods employed for typing Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. Different molecular approaches have been used to better understand the epidemiology of these medically relevant gram-positive cocci.Fil: Bonofiglio, Laura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología y Biotecnología. Cátedra de Microbiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gardella, Noella Mariel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología y Biotecnología. Cátedra de Microbiología; ArgentinaFil: Mollerach, Marta Eugenia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología y Biotecnología. Cátedra de Microbiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

The Hierarchic treatment of marine ecological information from spatial networks of benthic platforms

Measuring biodiversity simultaneously in different locations, at different temporal scales, and over wide spatial scales is of strategic importance for the improvement of our understanding of the functioning of marine ecosystems and for the conservation of their biodiversity. Monitoring networks of cabled observatories, along with other docked autonomous systems (e.g., Remotely Operated Vehicles [ROVs], Autonomous Underwater Vehicles [AUVs], and crawlers), are being conceived and established at a spatial scale capable of tracking energy fluxes across benthic and pelagic compartments, as well as across geographic ecotones. At the same time, optoacoustic imaging is sustaining an unprecedented expansion in marine ecological monitoring, enabling the acquisition of new biological and environmental data at an appropriate spatiotemporal scale. At this stage, one of the main problems for an effective application of these technologies is the processing, storage, and treatment of the acquired complex ecological information. Here, we provide a conceptual overview on the technological developments in the multiparametric generation, storage, and automated hierarchic treatment of biological and environmental information required to capture the spatiotemporal complexity of a marine ecosystem. In doing so, we present a pipeline of ecological data acquisition and processing in different steps and prone to automation. We also give an example of population biomass, community richness and biodiversity data computation (as indicators for ecosystem functionality) with an Internet Operated Vehicle (a mobile crawler). Finally, we discuss the software requirements for that automated data processing at the level of cyber-infrastructures with sensor calibration and control, data banking, and ingestion into large data portals.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Phenological characteristics of different winegrape cultivars in Central Italy

Statistical models based on temperature accumulation are used to estimate grapevine phenology (e.g. bud break, flowering) through summation of daily heat requirements calibrated from a base temperature and a given date. This study was designed to define the grapevine agro-phenological behaviour through analysis of potential trends of some principal phenological phenomena, such as flowering, harvest, and berry sugar levels at harvest. The data utilized were recorded over a 13-year period (2000-2012) for different grape varieties in the Umbria wine region in central Italy. Moreover, to determine the more important relationships between meteorological variables and recorded data, partial least-squares regressions were carried out. The trend analysis for berry sugar accumulation shows increasing degrees during the study period that were linked more to the 'Grechetto' cultivar than to the 'Chardonnay' and 'Merlot' cultivars, and then to 'Cabernet'. The statistical model that was focused on the study of the relationships between mean annual berry sugar levels and meteorological variables showed that mean maximum temperatures in April and July are the most important predictive variables for berry sugar accumulation, through their positive influence on berry sugar degree

Ketamine does not inhibit interleukin-6 synthesis in hepatic resections requiring a temporary porto-arterial occlusion (Pringle manoeuvre): a controlled, prospective, randomized, double-blinded study

AbstractIntroductionPrevious studies have shown that interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels correlated with mortality in critically ill patients.GoalTo determine the effect of ketamine on IL-6 levels in liver resections patients with a temporary porto-arterial occlusion (Pringle manoeuvre).Materials and methodsControlled, prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. One group (n=21) received ketamine whereas the other group (n=17) received placebo. IL-6 levels were obtained at baseline, 4, 12, 24h, 3 and 5 days.ResultsThere were no significant differences in IL-6 levels between the groups (basal P=089, 4h P=0.83, 12h P=0.39, 24h, P=0.55, 3 days P=0.80 and 5 days P=0.45). Both groups had elevated IL-6 levels that became almost undetectable by day 5. There was no major morbidity and no mortality in either group.ConclusionsKetamine does not seem to have an effect on plasma levels of IL-6. This could be interpreted as a potential finding associated with outcome as we did not encounter any deaths or major complications. Further studies will likely be needed to determine the range of IL-6 levels associated with survival and mortality, and whether it could be a predictor of survival

"What guides us here?" Exploring community health nurses' experiences of moral distress

The concept of moral distress was first developed in the mid 1980’s by the American philosopher Dr. Andrew Jameton. Since then, moral distress has been studied in many health care practice settings and among various disciplines. However, moral distress among nurses in community health care settings has remained largely unexplored. Community health nurses (CHNs) work with clients, families, and communities with a variety of diverse care needs. Therefore, in this research I cast a wide net by asking a broad question, “What guides us here?” What guides nurses through the ethical landscape of community health nursing? The purpose of this research, then, is to explore CHNs experiences of everyday ethical issues and moral distress and identify educational opportunities for ongoing learning and support. To do this I used a narrative inquiry approach and interviewed 20 Canadian CHNs by phone. Based on my analysis of the data, categories of key ethical issues, themes, and educational needs were explored and identified. From the interview data, participants’ stories were then re-storied by me into meta-narratives. Nine meta-narratives, inspired by multiple-participant interview responses, were created as an end product of this study. The meta-narratives represent stories that are true to life in the details regarding situations that the CHNs reported from their nursing practice. At the same time, however, the meta-narratives do not describe any one situation; rather they reflect aspects of several stories combined. Thus, the meta-narratives offer protection of confidentiality, provide an evidence-based, detailed account of these experiences, and are educational resources for CHNs. I also designed and had participants evaluate an educational intervention in the form of a self-directed e-learning module (e-module). Based on the research findings, I offer recommendations for action to promote ethical nursing practice and support CHNs, which include implications for education, theory, research, and nursing practice. This research provides foundational knowledge about the ethical landscape of community health nursing in Canada, the everyday ethical issues faced, experiences of moral distress, and educational opportunities to support CHNs

Polycaprolactone/Starch/Agar Coatings for Food-Packaging Paper: Statistical Correlation of the Formulations’ Effect on Diffusion, Grease Resistance, and Mechanical Properties

Paper is one of the most promising materials for food packaging and wrapping due to its low environmental impact, but surface treatments are often needed to improve its performance, e.g., the resistance to fats and oils. In this context, this research is focused on the formulation of a new paper bio-coating. Paper was coated with liquids containing poly(hexano-6-lactone) (PCL), glycerol and variable percentages of starch (5–10% w/w PCL dry weight), agar-agar (0–1.5% w/w PCL dry weight), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) (5% or 15% w/w PCL dry weight) to improve coating uniformity and diffusion. A design of experiments approach was implemented to find statistically reliable results in terms of the best coating formulation. Coated paper was characterized through mechanical and physical properties. Results showed that agar content (1.5% w/w PCL dry weight) has a beneficial effect on increasing the resistance to oil. Furthermore, the best coating composition has been calculated, and it is 10% w/w PCL dry weight of starch, 1.5% w/w PCL dry weight of agar, and 15% w/w PCL dry weight of PEG

Distopías del presente en el horizonte de la pedagogía

La configuración de la pedagogía como saber se ha asentado sobre una particular relación con el tiempo. Como parte de la construcción de las sociedades modernas el horizonte utópico de la pedagogía atravesó desde sus principios organizacionales hasta los fines que la educación se dio a sí misma. Varios siglos después las instituciones educativas conservan un uso del tiempo que no ha roto con ese pasado, y establecen para sus prácticas un horizonte de transformación tanto individual como social, que se sigue plasmando en la construcción de un ciudadano. Sin embargo, los relatos políticos y económicos que organizaron las sociedades modernas presentan agudas crisis, al punto que suele postularse la caída de las utopías. Una señal de esto lo constituyen las ficciones sobre el futuro contemporáneas. Han florecido en la última década en el campo de la literatura juvenil diversos relatos que describen esos mundos, pero alterando radicalmente la idea de sociedades utópicas y poniendo de relieve distopías y nuevas formas de control. La intención de esta investigación es indagar cómo se enlazan las pedagogías de nuestro tiempo con horizontes sociales distópicos y con un masivo y generalizado descreimiento por lo que vendrá. La hipótesis es que este desfasaje entre prácticas pedagógicas y futuro contribuyen a la pérdida de eficacia de las instituciones escolaresFil: Serra, María Silvia. Universidad Nacional de RosarioFil: Bonofiglio, Leandra. Universidad Nacional de Rosari

C-section on patient with secondary paraplegia resulting from spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma and acquired FXIII deficiency. A case report

Background: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) in a pregnant patient is an extremely rare clinical condition and requires emergency surgical evacuation, while termination of pregnancy depends on fetal viability status1 . Etiology includes hemorrhagic diathesis, autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, anticoagulant therapy, vascular malformations, and tumors. Pregnancy is considered a risk factor for SSEH. Below is a patient with SSEH and acquired FXIII deficiency (FXIII D) as a sole finding. Case report: A 37 year old, gravida 3 para 2, 28 weeks of gestation was transferred to our hospital with symptoms of progressive paraplegia over 72 hours. MRI showed spinal lesion due to spontaneous epidural hematoma, emergency decompression followed with a T1-T5 laminectomy. A hemorrhagic episode required transfusions up to 4 RBCs and 2 FFPs during the laminectomy, neither FXIII nor Tranexamic acid (TXA) was given on that occasion. The neurological examination showed flaccid paraplegia, with sensitive level at T3. Test results showed normal values except in FXIII-A concentration 28% (60-160%). No other major bleeding cause could be determined aside from the FXIII D. Two months later, she had a c-section performed at 36 weeks of gestation. Intravenous plasma-derived FXIII (pdFXIII) concentrate 2500 IU was given preoperatively along with TXA 1g. General anesthesia using propofol for induction and sevorane for maintenance was administered, no muscle relaxants or opioids were necessary. Videolaryngoscopy was used for orotracheal intubation. Bleeding was between normal ranges. There was no need for RBC transfusions. A healthy female baby was born with a 8/9 Apgar score and 2,840 grams. Post-operative FXIII-A level was 69%. Discussion: There are merely a few dozens of pregnant SSEH cases reported in the literature. Regional anesthesia for paraplegic condition is advised as the best technique to prevent autonomic dysreflexia; although general anesthesia seems more appropriate to prevent further spinal complications in patients with hemorrhagic diathesis2 . References: 1. Krishnan P, et al. Neurol India. 2014;62(2):205-7. 2. Jones BP, et al. Can J Anaesth. 2000;47(11):1122-28. Learning points: General anesthesia is an adequate anesthesia technique for paraplegic patients with FXIIID. FXIII should be tested even if coagulation test results are normal, and preoperative pdFXIII administration is probably the best way to prevent severe bleeding as well as TXA in these patients