Rapid and Accurate Identification of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Directly from Positive Primary MGIT Cultures by MALDI-TOF MS

Over the last years, nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) have emerged as important human pathogens. Accurate and rapid mycobacterial species identification is needed to successfully diagnose, treat, and manage infections caused by NTM. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, MALDI-TOF MS, was demonstrated to effectively identify mycobacteria isolates subcultured from solid or liquid media rather than new positive cultures. The present study aims to develop a new extraction protocol to yield rapid and accurate identification of NTM from primary MGIT cultures by MALDI-TOF MS. A total of 60 positive MGIT broths were examined by the Bruker Biotyper system with Mycobacteria Library v. 2.0 (Bruker Daltonics GmbH & Co. KG., Bremen, Germany). The results were compared with those obtained by the molecular method, line probe assay GenoType Mycobacterium CM/AS/NTM-DR. All samples were concordantly identified by MALDI-TOF MS and the molecular test for all the tested mycobacteria. Fifty-seven (95%) MGIT positive cultures for NTM from clinical samples had a MALDI-TOF MS analysis score S ≥ 1.8. Although a small number of strains and a limited diversity of mycobacterial species were analysed, our results suggest that MALDI-TOF MS could represent a promising routine diagnostic tool for identifying mycobacterial species directly from primary liquid culture

Valproic acid determination by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) in whole blood for forensic purposes

Valproic acid (VPA) is a well-known drug prescribed as anti-epileptic. It has a narrow therapeutic range and shows great individual differences in pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Consequently, the therapeutical drug monitoring (TDM) in patient's plasma is of crucial importance. Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) has gained importance in TDM applications for its features of sensitivity, selectivity and rapidity. However, in case of VPA, the LC–MS/MS selectivity could be hampered by the lack of a sufficient number of multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions describing the molecule. In fact, the product ion scan of deprotonated molecules of VPA does not produce any ion and thus most LC–MS/MS methods are based on the detection of the unique MRM transition m/z 143➔143. In this way, the advantages of selectivity in LC–MS cannot be effectively exploited. In the present method, stable analyte adducts were exploited for the determination of VPA in blood. An Acquity HSS C18 column and mobile phases consisting of 5-mM ammonium formate and acetonitrile both added 0.1% formic acid were used. Source worked in negative acquisition mode and parameters were optimized to increase the adduct (m/z 189) and dimer (m/z 287) stability, and their fragmentation were used to increase the selectivity of MRM detection. The method has been validated according to the toxicological forensic guidelines and successfully applied to 10 real blood samples. Finally, the present method showed suitable for the rapid LC–MS/MS detection of VPA in whole blood, demonstrating the possibility to increase specificity by exploiting stable in-source adducts. This should be considered of utmost importance in the case of forensic applications

Kajian Potensi Penumpang Pesawat Terbang Rute Malang-Balikpapan Dan Malang-banjarmasin

Transportasi adalah proses pergerakan atau perpindahan orang atau barang dari satu tempat ke tempat lain dengan tujuan tertentu. Salah satu moda transportasi yang paling di minati oleh masyarakat untuk menempuh perjalanan jauh adalah pesawat terbang. Di Kota Malang terdapat Bandar Udara Abdul Rachman Saleh. Salah satu rute yang dilayani adalah Malang-Balikpapan dan Malang Banjarmasin, namun tujuan penerbangan tersebut telah diberhentikan pada November 2014. Berdasarkan hasil kajian, diketahui bahwa reponden tujuan Balikpapan didominasi oleh usia 41-55 tahun (38,38%) dan oleh usia 25-40 tahun (26,8%) tujuan Banjarmasin dengan mayoritas pekerjaan adalah Karyawanan Swasta dengan gaji 3-7 juta per bulan. Maksud perjalanan untuk kedua tujuan di dominasi oleh perjalan non-bisnis yaitu untuk menunjungi keluarga, rekreasi, ataupun pulang kampung. Dari analisis Stated Preference antara pesawat dari Malang dan pesawat dari Surabaya yaitu berdasarkan selisih biaya perjalanan didapatkan model (UPM – UPS) = 1,831 – 0,00000656(∆X1) untuk tujuan Balikpapan dan (UPM – UPS) = 2,445 – 0,0000085(∆X1) untuk tujuan Banjarmasin. Berdasarkan selisih ketepatan jadwal didapatkan model (UPM – UPS) = 2,143 – 0,022(∆X2) untuk tujuan Balikpapan dan (UPM – UPS) = 2,211 – 0,024(∆X2) untuk tujuan Banjarmasin. Berdasarkan selisih frekuensi perjalan didapatkan model (UPM – UPS) = 1,577 + 0,072(∆X3) untuk tujuan Balikpapan dan(UPM – UPS) = 2,412 + 0,147(∆X3) untuk tujuan Banjarmasin. Jumlah potensi penumpang akan semakin naik diatas angka 90 orang per hari pada tujuan Balikpapan dan Banjarmasin. Jika selisih biaya perjalanan antara pesawat dari Malang dan pesawat dari Surabaya di bawah angka Rp 200.000, selisih ketepatan jadwal dibawah 60 menit, dan frekuensi keberangkatan minimal 1 kali per hari dari Malang

Mouthwash based on ozonated olive oil in caries prevention: a preliminary in-vitro study

(1) Background: Ozone (O3) proved to oxidize organic and inorganic compounds, and its efficacy against bacteria, viruses and fungi plasma membranes was of interest. Ozone vehicle can be a gaseous form, ozonated water or ozonized oil. The aim of this in-vitro study was to evaluate the efficacy of ozonated olive oil against Streptococcus mutans. (2) Methods: Two different commercial mouthwashes were tested: Ialozon Blu (IB) (Gemavip, Cagliari, Italy), with ozonated olive oil, and Ialozon Rose (IR) (Gemavip, Cagliari, Italy), with ozonated olive oil, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. All formulates were analyzed in a dilution range from 2-to 256-folds in saline solution, as to reproduce the salivary dilution. Streptococcus mutans CIP103220 strain was used for the antimicrobial susceptibility test, and the Kirby–Bauer inhibition method was performed to evaluate the Minimum Inhibitory (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal (MBC), and Minimum Biofilm Inhibitory Concentration (MBIC). (3) Results: Both formulates showed the same antimicrobial activity. MIC, MBC, and MBIC were observed for dilution factors of 1/32, 1/8 and 1/8, respectively. The mean value of inhibition zone diameter was 16.5 mm for IB, and 18 mm for IR. (4) Conclusions: The results suggested that ozonized olive oil formulates were able to inactivate Streptococcus mutans avoiding the salivary dilution effect in the oral cavity

Anti-aging potential of extracts from Washingtonia filifera seeds

The aim of this study was to test the inhibitory effect of fruit extracts from Washingtonia filifera on skin aging-related enzymes. The pulp extracts did not exert a significant enzyme inhibition while seed extracts from W. filifera exhibit anti-elastase, anti-collagenase, and anti-tyrosinase activities. Tyrosinase was mildly inhibited while a stronger effect was observed with respect to elastase and collagenase inhibition. Alcoholic extracts provided better results than aqueous extracts. Among them, methanol extracts showed the prominent enzyme inhibitory activities being IC50 value for elastase and collagenase comparable and even better than the reference compound. The inhibition mode of the most active extracts was investigated by Lineweaver-Burk plot analysis. Seed extracts from W. filifera were also investigated for their photo-protective effect by Mansur equation and the antioxidant activity of W. filifera extract was evaluated in oxidative-stressed cells. To evaluate the safety of the extract, the effect on cell viability of human keratinocytes cells was analyzed. Methanol extract presented the best photo-protective effect and exerted an antioxidant activity in a cellular system with no cytotoxic effect. The overall results demonstrate that W. filifera extracts are promising sources of bioactive compounds that could be used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparation

The Importance of Erosion Concrete Tests for Hydraulic Surfaces

The population growth requires improvements in water availability for consumption, food and energy. There are many challenges to achieve this. However, in many cases, one solution resolves all needs: reserving the water for supply, irrigation of crops and energy generation. In particular, the current demand for clean energy generation has encouraged some governments to invest in the construction of new hydropower plants. This scenario results in building a dam and its appurtenances. The concept of accumulating water for human use dates back to antiquity, but it was only during the 19th century that the technological development allowed the advent of hydropower plants. Since then, ongoing efforts on this field have developed technologies and the systematic construction of dams. More recently, there has been an increasing concern regarding the safety of dams. In Brazil, the safety legislation began to operate only in 2010. Malfunctioning of dams can lead to failure and even to catastrophic consequences. When an accident occurs, not only are the costs for repairing high, but it also compromises operation and the environment. A dam failure may be related to a poor performance of the spillway. Erosion is one of the main causes of spillways failure. In this sense, it is essential to characterize the composition and resistance of the concrete to be used in the spillway. Cavitation and water solid mixture are among the main causes of erosion that put spillways into risk. Cavitation is the formation of bubbles within the liquid, if the vapor pressure is reached. Once the pressure rises, the bubbles implode and eventually cause damage, noise, vibration and pressure fluctuation. Water solid mixture causes erosion by the impact of particles. The particles are carried in the flow, and it is especially important, because the damage is irreversible and progressive. The objective of this paper is to show the importance of testing concrete samples to erosion before using them in prototype. The concrete samples are submitted to erosion due to cavitation and water-solid mixture. The tests were performed at the Laboratory of Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics at Unicamp, Brazil. The method for evaluating cavitation erosion resistance is based on the use of a high velocity cavitating jet. The other method, for evaluating water solid mixture erosion resistance, is based on the use of a mixing tank, where an impeller propels solid particles in the water over the sample. In both cases, the erosion resistance is associated with the mass loss of the sample through time. The results highlight the erosion that can occur in prototypes and the importance of testing concretes before construction or repairing of concrete spillways

Washingtonia filifera seed extracts inhibit the islet amyloid polypeptide fibrils formations and α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity

Washingtonia filifera seeds have revealed to possess antioxidant properties, butyrylcholinesterase and xanthine oxidase inhibition activities. The literature has indicated a relationship between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and type-2 diabetes (T2D). Keeping this in mind, we have now evaluated the inhibitory properties of W. filifera seed extracts on α-amylase, α-glucosidase enzyme activity and the Islet Amyloid Polypeptide (IAPP) fibrils formation. Three extracts from seeds of W. filifera were evaluated for their enzyme inhibitory effect and IC50 values were calculated for all the extracts. The inhibition mode was investigated by Lineweaver-Burk plot analysis and the inhibition of IAPP aggregate formation was monitored. W. filifera methanol seed extract appears as the most potent inhibitor of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and for the IAPP fibril formation. Current findings indicate new potential of this extract that could be used for the identification or development of novel potential agents for T2D and AD

Effects of miRNA-15 and miRNA-16 expression replacement in chronic lymphocytic leukemia : implication for therapy

This work was supported by: Associazione Italiana Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC) Grant 5 x mille n.9980, (to M.F., F.M. A. N., P.T. and M.N.) ; AIRC I.G. n. 14326 (to M.F.), n.10136 and 16722 (A.N.), n.15426 (to F.F.). AIRC and Fondazione CaRiCal co-financed Multi Unit Regional Grant 2014 n.16695 (to F.M.). Italian Ministry of Health 5x1000 funds (to S.Z. and F.F). A.G R. was supported by Associazione Italiana contro le Leucemie-Linfomi-Mielomi (AIL) Cosenza - Fondazione Amelia Scorza (FAS). S.M. C.M., M.C., L.E., S.B. were supported by AIRC.Peer reviewedPostprin