First case of isolation of Nocardia wallacei reported in Mexico

AbstractNocardia species are aerobic, Gram-positive bacteria with branched filaments reported as opportunistic microorganisms associated with infectious diseases of the skin. We report the isolation of N. wallacei in Mexico from a 43-year-old man, an HIV-positive construction worker who sought care for difficulty breathing and abundant sputum

Direct and indirect effects of vertical mixing, nutrients and ultraviolet radiation on the bacterioplankton metabolism in high-mountain lakes from southern Europe

As a consequence of global change, modifications in the interaction among abiotic stressors on aquatic ecosystems have been predicted. Among other factors, UVR transparency, nutrient inputs and shallower epilimnetic layers could alter the trophic links in the microbial food web. Currently, there are some evidences of higher sensitiveness of aquatic microbial organisms to UVR in opaque lakes. Our aim was to assess the interactive direct and indirect effects of UVR (through the excretion of organic carbon – EOC – by algae), mixing regime and nutrient input on bacterial metabolism. We performed in situ short-term experiments under the following treatments: full sunlight (UVR + PAR, >280 nm) vs. UVR exclusion (PAR only, >400 nm); ambient vs. nutrient addition (phosphorus (P; 30 μg PL−1) and nitrogen (N; up to final N : P molar ratio of 31)); and static vs. mixed regime. The experiments were conducted in three high-mountain lakes of Spain: Enol [LE], Las Yeguas [LY] and La Caldera [LC] which had contrasting UVR transparency characteristics (opaque (LE) vs. clear lakes (LY and LC)). Under ambient nutrient conditions and static regimes, UVR exerted a stimulatory effect on heterotrophic bacterial production (HBP) in the opaque lake but not in the clear ones. Under UVR, vertical mixing and nutrient addition HBP values were lower than under the static and ambient nutrient conditions, and the stimulatory effect that UVR exerted on HBP in the opaque lake disappeared. By contrast, vertical mixing and nutrient addition increased HBP values in the clear lakes, highlighting for a photoinhibitory effect of UVR on HBP. Mixed regime and nutrient addition resulted in negative effects of UVR on HBP more in the opaque than in the clear lakes. Moreover, in the opaque lake, bacterial respiration (BR) increased and EOC did not support the bacterial carbon demand (BCD). In contrast, bacterial metabolic costs did not increase in the clear lakes and the increased nutrient availability even led to higher HBP. Consequently, EOC satisfied BCD in the clear lakes, particularly in the clearest one [LC]. Our results suggest that the higher vulnerability of bacteria to the damaging effects of UVR may be particularly accentuated in the opaque lakes and further recognizes the relevance of light exposure history and biotic interactions on bacterioplankton metabolism when coping with fluctuating radiation and nutrient inputs.Fil: Durán, C.. Universidad de Granada; EspañaFil: Medina Sánchez, J. M.. Universidad de Granada; EspañaFil: Herrera, G.. Universidad de Granada; EspañaFil: Villar Argaiz , M.. Universidad de Granada; EspañaFil: Villafañe, Virginia Estela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico; ArgentinaFil: Helbling, Eduardo Walter. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico; ArgentinaFil: Carrillo, P.. Universidad de Granada; Españ

Recycling of aggregates of Panasqueira mines as refractory lining of metal casting

Nas minas da Panasqueira (Covilhã, Portugal) acumulam-se montes de resíduos (agregados) provenientes da extração de tungsténio sem qualquer aplicação. Este trabalho pretende contribuir para implementar um novo uso para estes resíduos integrando-os como revestimento refratário no processo de moldação a verde da fundição de metais não ferrosos. Os resultados mostram o potencial do uso destes resíduos da fundição de metais não ferrosos.Over the years, in the Panasqueira mines (Covilhã, Portugal) were accumulated mountains of stones (wastes) has a result of the tungsten extraction without any application. This research aims to assist in the implementation of these wastes, using it as refractory lining in foundry (green moulding process), particular in foundry of non-ferrous metals. Experimental methodology consisted in mineralogical characterization (XRF and XRD), as well as the evaluation of the permeability to water vapour, fundamental aspect to be considered in the materials which constitute the moulds with refractory properties for metal casting. Two compositions have been considered and subsequently assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), his behaviour as notferrous cast metal container, studying both the contact area and the contiguous zone of thermal diffusion. The results show that wastes can be used as a main component in the manufacture of refractory mould for casting non-ferrous metals moulded in green.Os autores agradecem o apoio técnico fundamental dos centros de investigação da Universidade de Granada, Grupo de investigação HUM 629, do CAST – Centro de Ciência e Tecnologias Aeroespaciais e do CMADE - Centro de Materiais e Tecnologias da Construção da Universidade da Beira Interior.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Safinamide in Clinical Practice: A Spanish Multicenter Cohort Study

Background: Safinamide is an approved drug for the treatment of motor fluctuations of Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients with a potential benefit on non-motor symptoms (NMS). Methods: A retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted, in which the clinical effect of safinamide on both motor and NMS was assessed by the Clinical Global Impression of Change scale. Furthermore, we assessed the appearance of adverse events (AEs) and its effect on dyskinesia, that were also recorded in non-fluctuating PD patients and in those previously treated with rasagiline. Results: We included 213 PD patients who received safinamide in addition to their regular levodopa therapy. Thirty-five withdrew prematurely from safinamide, mainly because of AEs. Out of 178, clinical improvement on motor and NMS was found in 76.4% and 26.2%, respectively. A total of 44 reported AEs of mild intensity. We did not find a difference concerning the clinical benefit or AEs when comparing either patients who had or had not been taking Monoamine Oxidase B Inhibitor (MAOB-I) previously or between patients with and without motor complications. Conclusions: Safinamide is an effective and safe add-on to levodopa drug for PD patients. Moreover, safinamide could elicit an additional clinical improvement in PD patients previously treated with other MAOB-I and in non- fluctuating patients with suboptimal motor control

Estudio técnico de la decoración del techo perteneciente a la Sala Capitular del Ayuntamiento de Sevilla

The present article describes a chemical and physical study of the colour, chemical composition and mineral phases of the decorative materials in the Seville City Hall Chapter House ceiling. The findings showed that the inner most layer of material, calcite, was covered with white lead, in turn concealed under a layer of gilded bole. The ceiling underwent re-gilding, also over bole, due in all likelihood to wear on the original gold leaf. In the nineteenth century, the entire ceiling with the exception of the inscriptions was whitewashed with calcite and white lead. Silver was employed on King John I’s sword (coffer 27). Gold leaf was used to adorn the royal attributes: crowns, belts, sceptres, swords and rosary beads. The high reliefs were likewise gilded. The pigments identified on the ceiling adornments included azurite, malachite, vermilion and gas black. A lime and ground dolomite mortar was used throughout.El objetivo de este trabajo es el estudio de diferentes aspectos, como el color, la composición química y las fases mineralógicas presentes en los diferentes materiales que forman la ornamentación del techo de la Sala Capitular del Ayuntamiento de Sevilla, mediante métodos físicos y químicos. Nuestros resultados muestran que el dorado fue realizado sobre una capa de bol previamente depositada sobre una lámina de blanco de plomo que cubría un estrato de calcita. Posteriormente, y probablemente debido a alteraciones en el dorado original, el techo fue de nuevo dorado usando una técnica similar. En el siglo XIX, casi todo el techo, excepto las zonas con inscripciones, fue blanqueado usando una mezcla de calcita y blanco de plomo. Se empleó plata para cubrir la espada del rey Juan I (casetón 27). Finísimas láminas de oro se usaron para decorar los atributos reales: coronas, cinturones, cetros, espadas y rosarios. En diferentes partes de la decoración fueron detectados pigmentos como azurita, malaquita, bermellón y negro de humo. La composición del mortero de la estructura era a base de cal y dolomita molida

Biological behavior of familial papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: Spanish multicenter study

Purpose Familial papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (FPTMC) can present a more aggressive behavior than the sporadic microcarcinoma. However, few studies have analyzed this situation. The objective is to analyze the recurrence rate of FPTMC and the prognostic factors which determine that recurrence in Spain. Methods Spanish multicenter longitudinal analytical observational study was conducted. Patients with FPTMC received treatment with curative intent and presented cure criteria 6 months after treatment. Recurrence rate and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed. Two groups were analyzed: group A (no tumor recurrence) vs. group B (tumor recurrence). Results Ninety-four patients were analyzed. During a mean follow-up of 73.3 +/- 59.3 months, 13 recurrences of FPTMC (13.83%) were detected and mean DFS was 207.9 +/- 11.5 months. There were multifocality in 56%, bilateral thyroid involvement in 30%, and vascular invasion in 7.5%; that is to say, they are tumors with histological factors of poor prognosis in a high percentage of cases. The main risk factors for recurrence obtained in the multivariate analysis were the tumor size (OR: 2.574, 95% CI 1.210-5.473; p = 0.014) and the assessment of the risk of recurrence of the American Thyroid Association (ATA), both intermediate risk versus low risk (OR: 125, 95% CI 10.638-1000; p < 0.001) and high risk versus low risk (OR: 45.454, 95% CI 5.405-333.333; p < 0.001). Conclusion FPTMC has a recurrence rate higher than sporadic cases. Poor prognosis is mainly associated with the tumor size and the risk of recurrence of the ATA

Environmentally friendly analysis of emerging contaminants by pressurized hot water extraction-stir bar sorptive extraction-derivatization and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

This work describes the development, optimiza- tion, and validation of a new method for the simultaneous determination of a wide range of pharmaceuticals (beta- blockers, lipid regulators ... ) and personal care products (fragrances, UV filters, phthalates ... ) in both aqueous and solid environmental matrices. Target compounds were extracted from sediments using pressurized hot water ex- traction followed by stir bar sorptive extraction. The first stage was performed at 1,500 psi during three static extrac- tion cycles of 5 min each after optimizing the extraction temperature (50 – 150 °C) and addition of organic modifiers (% methanol) to water, the extraction solvent. Next, aqueous extracts and water samples were processed using polydime- thylsiloxane bars. Several parameters were optimized for this technique, including extraction and desorption time, ionic strength, presence of organic modifiers, and pH. Fi- nally, analytes were extracted from the bars by ultrasonic irradiation using a reduced amount of solvent (0.2 mL) prior to derivatization and gas chromatography – mass spectrome- try analysis. The optimized protocol uses minimal amounts of organic solvents (<10 mL/sample) and time ( ≈ 8 h/sam- ple) compared to previous ex isting methodologies. Low standard deviation (usually below 10 %) and limits of de- tection (sub-ppb) vouch for the applicability of the method- ology for the analysis of target compounds at trace levels. Once developed, the method was applied to determin