Characterization and performance of a toluene-degrading biofilm developed on pumice stones

BACKGROUND: Hydrocarbon-degrading biofilms in the treatment of contaminated groundwaters have received increasing attention due to the role played in the so-called "biobarriers". These are bioremediation systems in which a microbial consortium adherent to a solid support is placed across the flow of a contaminated plume, thus promoting biodegradation of the pollutant. RESULTS: A microbial consortium adherent to pumice granules (biofilm) developed from a toluene-enriched microflora in a mini-scale system, following continuous supply of a mineral medium containing toluene, over a 12-month period. Observation by scanning electron microscopy, together with quantification of the biomass attached to pumice, evidenced the presence of abundant exopolymeric material surrounding the cells in the biofilm. Toluene removal monitored during 12-month operation, reached 99%. Identification of the species, based on comparative 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence analysis, revealed that Rhodococcus erythropolis and Pseudomonas marginalis were the predominant bacterial species in the microbial consortium. CONCLUSION: A structurally complex toluene-degrading biofilm, mainly formed by Rhodococcus erythropolis and Pseudomonas marginalis, developed on pumice granules, in a mini-scale apparatus continuously fed with toluene

Wing structure of the next-generation civil tiltrotor: From concept to preliminary design

The main objective of this paper is to describe a methodology to be applied in the preliminary design of a tiltrotor wing based on previously developed conceptual design methods. The reference vehicle is the Next-Generation Civil Tiltrotor Technology Demonstrator (NGCTR-TD) developed by Leonardo Helicopters within the Clean Sky research program framework. In a previous work by the authors, based on the specific requirements (i.e., dynamics, strength, buckling, functional), the first iteration of design was aimed at finding a wing structure with a minimized structural weight but at the same time strong and stiff enough to comply with sizing loads and aeroelastic stability in the flight envelope. Now, the outcome from the first design loop is used to build a global Finite Element Model (FEM), to be used for a multi-objective optimization performed by using a commercial software environment. In other words, the design strategy, aimed at finding a first optimal solution in terms of the thickness of composite components, is based on a two-level optimization. The first-level optimization is performed with engineering models (non-FEA-based), and the second-level optimization, discussed in this paper, within an FEA environment. The latter is shown to provide satisfactory results in terms of overall wing weight, and a zonal optimization of the composite parts, which is the starting point of an engineered model and a detailed FEM (beyond the scope of the present work), which will also take into account manufacturing, assembly, installation, accessibility and maintenance constraints

Is the monoclonal spread of the ST258, KPC-3-producing clone being replaced in southern Italy by the dissemination of multiple clones of carbapenem nonsusceptible, KPC-3-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae?

Spread of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae has been identified as an issue of serious worldwide concern from clinical and public health perspectives. Italy is an country endemic for and a reservoir of K. pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPC). Nineteen isolates of CR-Kp from 16 different patients admitted in two hospital of Palermo in the period April-May 2014 were studied. Seven of 16 isolates belonged to ST307, six to ST258 and three to ST273. All isolates were KPC-3 producers. Our data emphasize the increasing difficulties in controlling the spread of KPC-K

A Fast Transient Absorption Study of Co(AcAc)3

The study of transition metal coordination complexes has played a key role in establishing quantum chemistry concepts such as that of ligand field theory. Furthermore, the study of the dynamics of their excited states is of primary importance in determining the de-excitation path of electrons to tailor the electronic properties required for important technological applications. This work focuses on femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy of Cobalt tris(acetylacetonate) (Co(AcAc)3) in solution. The fast transient absorption spectroscopy has been employed to study the excited state dynamics after optical excitation. Density functional theory coupled with the polarizable continuum model has been used to characterize the geometries and the electronic states of the solvated ion. The excited states have been calculated using the time dependent density functional theory formalism. The time resolved dynamics of the ligand to metal charge transfer excitation revealed a biphasic behavior with an ultrafast rise time of 0.07 ± 0.04 ps and a decay time of 1.5 ± 0.3 ps, while the ligand field excitations dynamics is characterized by a rise time of 0.07 ± 0.04 ps and a decay time of 1.8 ± 0.3 ps. Time dependent density functional theory calculations of the spin-orbit coupling suggest that the ultrafast rise time can be related to the intersystem crossing from the originally photoexcited state. The picosecond decay is faster than that of similar cobalt coordination complexes and is mainly assigned to internal conversion within the triplet state manifold. The lack of detectable long living states (>5 ps) suggests that non-radiative decay plays an important role in the dynamics of these molecules

An update of the evolving epidemic of blaKPC carrying Klebsiella pneumoniae in Sicily, Italy, 2014: Emergence of multiple Non-ST258 Clones

Background: In Italy, Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) strains are highly endemic and KPC producing CC258 is reported as the widely predominating clone. In Palermo, Italy, previous reports have confirmed this pattern. However, recent preliminary findings suggest that an epidemiological change is likely ongoing towards a polyclonal KPC-Kp spread. Here we present the results of molecular typing of 94 carbapenem non susceptible K. pneumoniae isolates detected during 2014 in the three different hospitals in Palermo, Italy. Methods and Results: Ninety-four consecutive, non replicate carbapenem non susceptible isolates were identified in the three largest acute general hospitals in Palermo, Italy, in the six-month period March-August 2014. They were characterized by PCR for β-lactam, aminoglycoside and plasmid mediated fluoroquinolone resistance genetic determinants. The mgrB gene of the colistin resistant isolates was amplified and sequenced. Clonality was assessed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing. Eight non-CC258 sequence types (STs) were identified accounting for 60% of isolates. In particular, ST307 and ST273 accounted for 29% and 18% of isolates. CC258 isolates were more frequently susceptible to gentamicin and non-CC258 isolates to amikacin. Colistin non susceptibility was found in 42% of isolates. Modifications of mgrB were found in 32 isolates. Conclusions: Concurrent clonal expansion of some STs and lateral transmission of genetic resistance determinants are likely producing a thorough change of the KPC-Kp epidemiology in Palermo, Italy. In our setting mgrB inactivation proved to substantially contribute to colistin resistance. Our findings suggest the need to continuously monitor the KPC-Kp epidemiology and to assess by a nationwide survey the possible shifting towards a polyclonal epidemic

Implementation of a remote symptom monitoring pathway in oncology care: analysis of real-world experience across 33 cancer centres in France and Belgium

Background: Remote patient monitoring (RPM) of symptoms using electronic patient reported outcomes (ePROs) has been shown to reduce symptom burden and hospitalizations, increase dose intensity and improve quality of life of patients during systemic therapy being recommended by international guidelines in routine oncology practice. However, implementation in routine care has been slow and faces several challenges. In this study we report on the real-world multi-center implementation of a RPM pathway encompassing weekly patient symptom ePRO reporting with electronic alert notifications triggered to providers for severe or worsening symptoms. Methods: An RPM pathway was implemented in 33 European cancer centers in France and Belgium between November 2021 and August 2023. The implementation process followed a standardized phasic process of Exploration, Preparation, Implementation and Sustainment. Patient-level and system-level implementation metrics were collected and evaluated according to the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework. Findings: Across the 33 cancer centers, the RPM pathway was implemented for 3015 patients cared for by 168 providers. The RPM pathway enabled effective and timely symptom management with 94.6% of all alerts (10,132/10,711) evolving to an improvement two weeks later, among which 88.4% (9468/10,711) showed ≥2 grades of improvement on the 5-point scale of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Common Terminology (PRO-CTCAE). The median time to alert management by the care team was 13 h 41 min (25th percentile: 1 h 42 min, 75th percentile: 1 day + 19 h 54 min), with 80% (36,269/45,334) of alerts managed by a nurse navigator telephone call. Patient adherence with weekly ePRO reporting was 82% (2472/3015). In an experience survey, 87% (32/38) of providers were satisfied with integrating the solution into their organization and 90% (276/307) of the patients felt that ePRO reporting positively impacted their care. As of March 2024, the pathway has been maintained in all participating centers, with activation of an additional 18 centers following data lock, and reimbursement for this RPM pathway approved in France in October 2023. Interpretation: These findings demonstrate the feasibility of implementing and maintaining an RPM pathway during routine care across a diverse group of cancer centers in the European setting, with high levels of patient and provider engagement, and positive clinical impact. Funding: Part of this work was funded Breast Cancer Research Foundation (Career Development Award to Maria Alice Franzoi) and Resilience (nurse navigation and technology support).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Third Dose of BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccine Does Not “Boost” Disease Flares and Adverse Events in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Data on the risk of adverse events (AEs) and disease flares in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) after the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine are scarce. The aim of this multicenter, prospective study is to analyze the clinical and immunological safety of BNT162b2 vaccine in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients followed-up from the first vaccine cycle to the third dose. The vaccine showed an overall good safety profile with no patient reporting serious AEs, and a low percentage of total AEs at both doses (40/78 (51.3%) and 13/47 (27.7%) patients after the second and third dose, respectively (p < 0.002). Flares were observed in 10.3% of patients after the end of the vaccination cycle and 12.8% after the third dose. Being vaccinated for influenza was inversely associated with the onset of AEs after the second dose, at both univariable (p = 0.013) and multivariable analysis (p = 0.027). This result could allow identification of a predictive factor of vaccine tolerance, if confirmed in larger patient populations. A higher disease activity at baseline was not associated with a higher incidence of AEs or disease flares. Effectiveness was excellent after the second dose, with only 1/78 (1.3%) mild breakthrough infection (BI) and worsened after the third dose, with 9/47 (19.2%) BI (p < 0.002), as a probable expression of the higher capacity of the Omicron variants to escape vaccine recognition