Development of a selective culture medium for bifidobacteria, Raffinose-Propionate Lithium Mupirocin (RP-MUP) and assessment of its usage with Petrifilm™ Aerobic Count plates

AbstractThis study aimed to develop a selective culture media to enumerate bifidobacteria in fermented milk and to assess this medium when used with Petrifilm™ AC plates. For this purpose, Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus spp. and Streptococcus thermophilus strains were tested to verify their fermentation patterns for different carbohydrates. All bifidobacteria strains were able to use raffinose. Based on these characteristic, a selective culture medium was proposed (Raffinose-Propionate Lithium Mupirocin, RP-MUP), used with Petrifilm™ AC plates, and was used to enumerate bifidobacteria in fermented milk. RP-MUP performance was assessed by comparing the results with this medium to reference protocols and culture media for bifidobacteria enumeration. RP-MUP, whether used or not with Petrifilm™ AC, presented similar performance to TOS-MUP (ISO 29981), with no significant differences between the mean bifidobacteria counts (p < 0.05) and with high correlation indices (r = 0.99, p < 0.05). As an advantage, reliable results were obtained after just 48 h of incubation when RP-MUP was used with Petrifilm™ AC, instead of the 72 h described in the ISO 29981 protocol

Topological transition from nodal to nodeless Zeeman splitting in altermagnets

In an altermagnet, the symmetry that relates configurations with flipped magnetic moments is a rotation. This makes it qualitatively different from a ferromagnet, where no such symmetry exists, or a collinear antiferromagnet, where this symmetry is a lattice translation. In this paper, we investigate the impact of the crystalline environment on the magnetic and electronic properties of an altermagnet. We find that, because each component of the magnetization acquires its own angular dependence, the Zeeman splitting of the bands has symmetry-protected nodal lines residing on mirror planes of the crystal. Upon crossing the Fermi surface, these nodal lines give rise to pinch points that behave as single or double type-II Weyl nodes. We show that an external magnetic field perpendicular to these mirror planes can only move the nodal lines, such that a critical field value is necessary to collapse the nodes and make the Weyl pinch points annihilate. This unveils the topological nature of the transition from a nodal to a nodeless Zeeman splitting of the bands. We also classify the altermagnetic states of common crystallographic point groups in the presence of spin-orbit coupling, revealing that a broad family of magnetic orthorhombic perovskites can realize altermagnetism.Comment: manuscript + supplementary materia

Característica da produção agrícola em comunidades rurais da região do Alto Rio Pacuí.

As condições edafoclimáticas do Norte de Minas Gerais, em quase todos os meses do ano são desfavoráveis à produção agrícola. Muitas vezes, para a realização dessa atividade é necessário à utilização de técnicas de produção que quando utilizadas inadequadamente tornam-se desfavoráveis ao meio ambiente. Por esse motivo, esse trabalho teve como objetivo averiguar as condições de produção de quatro comunidades rurais da região do Alto Rio Pacuí, localizada no Norte de Minas Gerais. Para essa avaliação, utilizaram-se de questionários prédeterminados, os quais apresentavam questões sobre a utilização do solo, a área de produção, o tipo de cultura, os sistemas de irrigação, a fonte de abastecimento de água, entre outras. Doze propriedades rurais pertencentes a quatro comunidades, foram visitadas. Conclui-se nessa pesquisa que a atividade econômica que se destaca na região é o cultivo de olerícolas, as quais, irrigadas por sistemas de irrigação diversos, ocasionando, segundo os produtores rurais, redução do fluxo de água do rio Pacuí e dos seus afluentes

Introduction of robotic surgery for endometrial cancer into a Brazilian cancer service: a randomized trial evaluating perioperative clinical outcomes and costs

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome and costs after the implementation of robotic surgery in the treatment of endometrial cancer, compared to the traditional laparoscopic approach. METHODS: In this prospective randomized study from 2015 to 2017, eighty-nine patients with endometrial carcinoma that was clinically restricted to the uterus were randomized in robotic surgery (44 cases) and traditional laparoscopic surgery (45 cases). We compared the number of retrieved lymph nodes, total time of surgery, time of each surgical step, blood loss, length of hospital stay, major and minor complications, conversion rates and costs. RESULTS: The ages of the patients ranged from 47 to 69 years. The median body mass index was 31.1 (21.4-54.2) in the robotic surgery arm and 31.6 (22.9-58.6) in the traditional laparoscopic arm. The median tumor sizes were 4.0 (1.5-10.0) cm and 4.0 (0.0-9.0) cm in the robotic and traditional laparoscopic surgery groups, respectively. The median total numbers of lymph nodes retrieved were 19 (3-61) and 20 (4-34) in the robotic and traditional laparoscopic surgery arms, respectively. The median total duration of the whole procedure was 319.5 (170-520) minutes in the robotic surgery arm and 248 (85-465) minutes in the traditional laparoscopic arm. Eight major complications were registered in each group. The total cost was 41% higher for robotic surgery than for traditional laparoscopic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic surgery for endometrial cancer presented equivalent perioperative morbidity to that of traditional laparoscopic surgery. The duration and total cost of robotic surgery were higher than those of traditional laparoscopic surgery

Dulce de Leche—Chemistry and Processing Technology

Originally hailing from Latin America, dulce de leche (DL) is one of the most widely manufactured dairy products in South America, where it is marketed as a paste or bar. Due to DL’s low moisture content, the product can be safely stored at room temperature, which facilitates storage and transportation logistics. The primary ingredients used to manufacture DL are milk, sucrose, and an acidity reducer. Needless to say, the raw materials must be of good quality from reliable suppliers in order for the final product to have the desired characteristics. The milk used to make DL must be microbiologically safe, remain stable during thermal processing, and preferably exhibit a high solid content. Dulce de leche is defined as a product made with or without the addition of other food substances that is obtained from milk or reconstituted milk and added sucrose (either partially substituted or not by monosaccharides and/or other disaccharides) via concentration and heat action at normal or reduced pressure. This chapter aims to explore the chemistry, processing technology, and most common industrial practices for manufacturing DL in South America

The Novel Coronavirus: An Alert for Pacifiers’ Disinfection

Objective: To evaluate the best strategy for pacifier disinfection methods. Material and Methods: The literature search was conducted on MEDLINE/PubMed, Scielo, Lilacs, Web of Science, and Scopus databases to find all relevant articles published over the past 20 years, based on PRISMA guidelines. Two reviewers extracted data independently by using a standardized form. The following factors were recorded: country of study, type of study, pacifier material, sample number, microorganisms analyzed, decontamination methods used, method accessibility and results found. Results: A total of 121 articles were obtained from all databases. The selected documents underwent a final screening, resulting in 8 articles. The method of disinfection analyzed by the literature were: 3.5% neutral detergent, apple cider vinegar 70% spray, boiling water during 15 minutes, sodium hypochlorite 2.5, hydrogen peroxide 70% spray, chlorhexidine 0.12%, Brushtox®, sterile water and microwave. Conclusion: Because of the broad methods for pacifier disinfection and different levels of accessibility to disinfectant agents, the pacifier consensus for decontamination remains unclear. Although the disinfection methods are diverse, the methods suggested to its disinfection were identified and described in this article

'E-learning' como um complemento do ensino presencial de prevenção da cegueira: ensaio clínico

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if E-learning material improves the basal student knowledge level before attending the presential class of blindness prevention (BP) and if helps to fix this information one-month after the class. METHODS: Fourth-year medical students were randomly assigned to have a presential class of BP (Traditional group = TG) or to have a presential class of BP plus an additional E-learning material (E-learning group = ELG). This material was e-mailed one week before the presential class. The students were submitted to a multiple-choice test (with three options each) with seven questions immediately before the presential class, immediately after the class, and one-month later. The three tests had the same questions; however, the answers options were distributed in different sequences. The primary outcome was immediate pretest score. The secondary outcomes were immediate posttest score and one-month posttest score. RESULTS: Among the 120 fourth-year medical students, a random sample of 34 students was assigned to the TG and 34 students was assigned to the ELG. The two groups showed similar immediate posttest score (TG=6.8 and ELG=6.9; P<.754), but the differences at the immediate pretest score (TG=3.6 and ELG=4.7; P<.001), and at the one-month posttest score, were significant (TG=6.1 and ELG=6.8; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The pretest and the one-month posttest results suggested that the E-learning material acts as an effective complementary tool of the presential class of blindness prevention.OBJETIVO: Avaliar se um material disponibilizado através de E-learning antes de aulas presenciais de prevenção da cegueira (PC) melhora o nível de conhecimento basal dos estudantes, e ajuda a manter esse conteúdo um mês após a aula. MÉTODOS: Estudantes do quarto ano do curso médico foram aleatoriamente sorteados para ter aulas presenciais de PC (grupo tradicional = GT) ou ter aulas presenciais precedidas de material adicional por E-learning (grupo E-learning = GEL). Este material foi enviado por correio eletrônico uma semana antes da aula presencial. Os estudantes foram submetidos a testes de múltipla escolha com sete questões (com três alternativas cada) imediatamente antes da aula presencial, imediatamente após a aula, e um mês após a aula. Os três testes tiveram as mesmas questões: entretanto, as respostas foram distribuídas em sequências diferentes. O desfecho primário foi a nota do pré-teste. Os desfechos secundários foram as notas dos pós-teste imediato e do pós-teste tardio. RESULTADOS: Entre os 120 alunos do quarto ano de medicina, uma amostra aleatória de 34 alunos foi selecionada para o grupo GT e 34 alunos para o grupo GEL. Os dois grupos obtiveram nota similar no pós-teste imediato (GT=6.8 e GEL=6.9; P<.754), porém diferenças estatisticamente significativas no pré-teste (GT=3.6 e GEL=4.7; P<.001), e no pós-teste tardio (GT=6.1 e GEL=6.8; P<.001). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados do pré-teste e do pós-teste tardio sugerem que o E-learning pode ser um complemento eficiente do ensino presencial de prevenção da cegueira.343

The shift from high to low turnover bone disease after parathyroidectomy is associated with the progression of vascular calcification in hemodialysis patients: A 12-month follow-up study

Parathyroidectomy (PTX) may cause low levels of PTH, leading to an excessive reduction of bone turnover, which is associated with poor outcomes in dialysis patients, including vascular calcification (VC). We aimed to prospectively investigate the impact of PTX on bone remodeling and its potential consequence on the progression of VC in hemodialysis patients. In this prospective study, 19 hemodialysis patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT) were evaluated. All patients underwent laboratorial tests and coronary tomography at baseline and, 6 and 12 months after PTXbone biopsy was performed at baseline and 12-month. At baseline, all patients had increased PTH levels up to 2500 pg/mL and high turnover bone disease in their bone biopsies. Fourteen (74%) patients had VC. During the follow-up, there was a significant decrease of PTH at 6 and 12-month. At 12-month, 90% of the patients evolved to low turnover bone disease. During the period of the hungry bone syndrome (first 6 months), no change of coronary calcium score was observed. However, calcium score increased significantly thereafter (12(th) month). There was an association between VC progression and the severity of low turnover bone disease. In conclusion, the shift from high to low turnover bone disease after PTX occurs in parallel to VC progression, contributing to the understanding of the complex pathophysiology involving mineral metabolism and cardiovascular disease in hemodialysis patients.National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq)Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Nephrol Div, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Parana, Nephrol Div, Curitiba, Parana, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Head & Neck Surg Div, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Cardiol Div, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Nephrol Div, Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS NUMA CONSULTA DE INFECÇÕES SEXUALMENTE TRANSMISSÍVEIS – ESTUDO RETROSPECTIVO DE QUATRO ANOS (2006-2009)

Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is often responsible for an asymptomatic genital infection and represents a major public health problem when untreated. The authors objective was to determinate the Ct genital infection prevalence in a Sexual transmitted infections (STIs) clinic, and to perform an analysis of different variables. It was a retrospective study of all the patients with a Ct infection, observed in the STIs clinic of the Dermatology and Venereology department of Curry Cabral Hospital, between January 2006 and December 2009. The diagnosis was confirmed by Nucleic acid amplification technique. An infection prevalence of 10,5% was found (81 patients with infection in 771 tested). In the 81 infected patients, statistic differences were found in the medium age between male and female patients (male=28,9 vs female=24,3) p=0,018; in the number of different sexual partners in the last 6 months (men= 3,32 vs female=1,5) p=0,009; and in the time in weeks between the beginning of symptoms and the diagnosis (male=2,65 vs female=6,64) p=0,032. The patients with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection had a superior number of different sexual partners in the last 6 months comparing with the non HIV p=0,003. We concluded that in our patients there were demographic, behavioral and clinical differences between male and female, and between HIV and non HIV. Besides that, the elevated prevalence that was found reinforces the importance of the programs instituted for early diagnosis of Ct infection.A infecção genital por Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) é frequentemente assintomática e quando não tratada precocemente constitui um problema major de saúde pública. Os autores realizaram um estudo cujo objectivo foi determinar a prevalência de infecção genital por Ct numa consulta de Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis (ISTs) e realizar uma análise de diferentes variáveis. Para tal foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo dos doentes com diagnóstico de infecção por Ct confirmado por técnica de amplificação de ácidos nucleicos, observados na consulta de ISTs do Serviço de Dermatologia e Venereologia do Hospital Curry Cabral entre Janeiro de 2006 e Dezembro de 2009. Encontrou-se uma prevalência de infecção de 10,5% (81 doentes com infecção genital por Ct em 771 indivíduos testados). Na população com infecção por Ct foram encontradas diferenças com significado estatístico entre o sexo masculino e feminino na idade média dos doentes (homens=28,9 vs mulheres=24,3) p= 0,018; no número de companheiros sexuais nos últimos 6 meses (homens=3,32 vs mulheres=1,50) p=0,009; e no tempo em semanas decorrido entre o início dos sintomas e o diagnóstico (homens=2,65 vs mulheres=6,64) p= 0,032. Os doentes com co-infecção pelo Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana (VIH) tinham um maior número de companheiros sexuais nos últimos 6 meses do que os não VIH p=0,003. Assim, existem diferenças demográficas, comportamentais e clínicas entre o sexo masculino e feminino e entre a população VIH e não VIH. Além disso, a elevada prevalência de infecção por Ct justifica os programas de diagnóstico precoce instituídos