The PhoP/PhoQ System and Its Role in Serratia marcescens Pathogenesis

Serratia marcescens is able to invade, persist, and multiply inside nonphagocytic cells, residing in nonacidic, nondegradative, autophagosome-like vacuoles. In this work, we have examined the physiological role of the PhoP/PhoQ system and its function in the control of critical virulence phenotypes in S. marcescens. We have demonstrated the involvement of the PhoP/PhoQ system in the adaptation of this bacterium to growth on scarce environmental Mg2+, at acidic pH, and in the presence of polymyxin B. We have also shown that these environmental conditions constitute signals that activate the PhoP/PhoQ system. We have found that the two S. marcescens mgtE orthologs present a conserved PhoP-binding motif and demonstrated that mgtE1 expression is PhoP dependent, reinforcing the importance of PhoP control in magnesium homeostasis. Finally, we have demonstrated that phoP expression is activated intracellularly and that a phoP mutant strain is defective in survival inside epithelial cells. We have shown that the Serratia PhoP/PhoQ system is involved in prevention of the delivery to degradative/acidic compartments.Fil: Barchiesi, Julieta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Castelli, Maria Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Di Venanzio, Gisela Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Colombo, Maria Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Garcia Vescovi, Eleonora. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario; Argentin

Novel ultraviolet absorbers derived from cashew nut shell liquid: spectrophotometric, in silico and in vitro assays

The cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) constituents were isolated by our group leading to four mixtures and seventeen pure compounds, which had chromophoric groups similar to organic ultraviolet (UV) absorbers. In addition, C15 and C8 CNSL-derivatives molecules were rationally planned as UV absorbers. Mixtures and isolated CNSL compounds were demonstrated to be non-phototoxic when evaluated in a phototoxicity assay using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Considering the absorption values on the UV range, 6 compounds showed appropriate SPF values regarding the spectrophotometric test. Additionally, in silico and in vitro evaluations were performed, showing non-oral bioavailability, as well as non-mutagenic, non-genotoxic and non-phototoxic properties for the tested compounds. These results contribute favorably to the aimed use of the compounds under analysis as novel organic UV absorbers that have as precursor the phenolic lipid component of CNSL, a waste product obtained as the by-product of cashew nut food processing

Implementación de auditoria concurrente de enfermería : un relato de experiencia

A auditoria de enfermagem é uma ferramenta de gestão capaz de auxiliar na melhoria da qualidade da assistência e na eficiência das cobranças hospitalares, podendo ser realizada de maneira concorrente, ou seja, enquanto o paciente recebe o atendimento. O presente estudo tem como objetivo descrever a experiência de enfermeiras acerca da implantação da auditoria concorrente de enfermagem em ambiente hospitalar. Trata-se de um relato de experiência vivenciada no período de 2009 a 2014 em hospital do interior do Rio Grande do Sul, abordando as etapas deste processo: Elaboração do instrumento, Sensibilização da equipe de enfermagem e Operacionalização da auditoria concorrente. Os resultados apontam a viabilidade de se adotar este modelo e benefícios, principalmente no que tange a diminuição do tempo para envio da fatura aos convênios médicos, maior interação entre as auditoras e equipes assistenciais, criação de indicadores, e contribuições para a melhoria da qualidade assistencial e registros de enfermagem.Nursing audit is a management tool capable of assisting in the improvement of care quality and efficiency of hospital charges and may be performed concurrently, in other words, while the patient receives care. This study aims to describe nurses’ experience about the implementation of concurrent nursing audit in a hospital environment. This is a report on an experience in the period from 2009 to 2014 at a hospital in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The following steps of this process are discussed: Instrument elaboration, Sensitization of the nursing team and Operation of concurrent audit. The results show the feasibility and benefits of adopting this model, especially regarding the reduction of time to send the bill to the health insurances, greater interaction between auditors and care teams, creation of indicators, and contributions to the improvement of healthcare quality and nursing records.La auditoría de enfermería es una herramienta de gestión que puede ayudar a mejorar la calidad del cuidado y eficiencia del los gastos del hospital y se puede realizar de manera concurrente, es decir, mientras el paciente recibe cuidado. Este estudio tiene como objetivo describir la experiencia de las enfermeras sobre la implementación de la auditoría concurrente en el ámbito hospitalario. Es un relato de experiencia vivida en el periodo 2009 a 2014 en un hospital del Río Grande del Sur, Brazil, abordando las fases del proceso: Elaboración del instrumento, Sensibilización del equipo de enfermería y Operacionalización de auditoria concurrente. Los resultados demuestran la viabilidad de adoptar este modelo y sus beneficios, especialmente en relación con la reducción del tiempo para enviar lafactura a los covenants médicos, mayor interacción entre los auditores y equipos de atención, creación de indicadores, y contribuciones para mejorar la calidade de la atención y de los registros de enfermería

Cultivos puente verde como herramienta para manejar la nutrición nitrogenada de maíz

El uso de cultivos puente verde se viene generalizando en la región y resulta muy importante conocer en qué medida se ve afectada la disponibilidad de agua y nitrógeno en el cultivo de maíz. Este artículo nos acerca resultados respecto a ello.EEA BalcarceFil: Crespo, Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina.Fil: Crespo, Cecilia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Chacra Experimental Integrada Barrow; Argentina.Fil: Corral, Raúl Alejandro. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Chacra Experimental Integrada Barrow; Argentina.Fil: Corral, Raúl A. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Diez, Santiago. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía; Argentina.Fil: Delgado, Santiago. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina.Fil: Domínguez, Germán. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina.Fil: Agostini, María. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina.Fil: Cendoya, Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina.Fil: Sainz Rozas, Hernán Rene. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina.Fil: Sainz Rozas, Hernán Rene. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina.Fil: Sainz Rozas, Hernán Rene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: García, Gisela. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Studdert, Guillermo. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina

Uso de novos compostos capazes de absorver radiação ultravioleta, composições contendo os mesmos e processos para sua preparação

Em 11/04/2006: Publicação do Pedido Arquivado Definitivamente - Art. 216 § 2º e Art. 17 § 2º da LPI. Publicação de pedido definitivamente arquivado devido a não apresentação de procuração ou devido à apresentação de um pedido posterior. Encerrada a instância administrativa.Não concedidaA presente invenção trata de novas moléculas capazes de absorver radiação ultravioleta obtidas a partir de modificações no líquido da castanha de caju; são também descritas composições destinadas à proteção de superfícies e processos químicos para a produção das referidas moléculas

The effect of early life events on glucose levels in first-episode psychosis

First episode of psychosis (FEP) patients display a wide variety of metabolic disturbances at onset, which might underlie these patients’ increased morbidity and early mortality. Glycemic abnormalities have been previously related to pharmacological agents; however, recent research highlights the impact of early life events. Birth weight (BW), an indirect marker of the fetal environment, has been related to glucose abnormalities in the general population over time. We aim to evaluate if BW correlates with glucose values in a sample of FEP patients treated with different antipsychotics. Two hundred and thirty-six patients were included and evaluated for clinical and metabolic variables at baseline and at 2, 6, 12, and 24 months of follow-up. Pearson correlations and linear mixed model analysis were conducted to analyze the data. Antipsychotic treatment was grouped due to its metabolic risk profile. In our sample of FEP patients, BW was negatively correlated with glucose values at 24 months of follow-up [r=-0.167, p=0.037]. BW showed a trend towards significance in the association with glucose values over the 24-month period (F=3.22; p=0.073) despite other confounders such as age, time, sex, body mass index, antipsychotic type, and chlorpromazine dosage. This finding suggests that BW is involved in the evolution of glucose values over time in a cohort of patients with an FEP, independently of the type of pharmacological agent used in treatment. Our results highlight the importance of early life events in the later metabolic outcome of patients

Apoptotic DNA degradation into oligonucleosomal fragments, but not apoptotic nuclear morphology, relies on a cytosolic pool of DFF40/CAD endonuclease

Apoptotic cell death is characterized by nuclear fragmentation and oligonucleosomal DNA degradation, mediated by the caspase-dependent specific activation of DFF40/CAD endonuclease. Here, we describe how, upon apoptotic stimuli, SK-N-AS human neuroblastoma-derived cells show apoptotic nuclear morphology without displaying concomitant internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Cytotoxicity afforded after staurosporine treatment is comparable with that obtained in SH-SY5Y cells, which exhibit a complete apoptotic phenotype. SK-N-AS cell death is a caspase-dependent process that can be impaired by the pan-caspase inhibitor q-VD-OPh. The endogenous inhibitor of DFF40/CAD, ICAD, is correctly processed, and dff40/cad cDNA sequence does not reveal mutations altering its amino acid composition. Biochemical approaches show that both SH-SY5Y and SK-N-AS resting cells express comparable levels of DFF40/CAD. However, the endonuclease is poorly expressed in the cytosolic fraction of healthy SK-N-AS cells. Despite this differential subcellular distribution of DFF40/CAD, we find no differences in the subcellular localization of both pro-caspase-3 and ICAD between the analyzed cell lines. After staurosporine treatment, the preferential processing of ICAD in the cytosolic fraction allows the translocation of DFF40/CAD from this fraction to a chromatin-enriched one. Therefore, the low levels of cytosolic DFF40/CAD detected in SK-N-AS cells determine the absence of DNA laddering after staurosporine treatment. In these cells DFF40/CAD cytosolic levels can be restored by the overexpression of their own endonuclease, which is sufficient to make them proficient at degrading their chromatin into oligonucleosome-size fragments after staurosporine treatment. Altogether, the cytosolic levels of DFF40/CAD are determinants in achieving a complete apoptotic phenotype, including oligonucleosomal DNA degradation

Compostos capazes de absorver radiação ultravioleta, composições contendo os mesmos e processos para sua preparação

Em 04/11/2016: Restauração de pedido, patente ou certificado de adição de invençãoDepositadaA presente invenção trata de moléculas capazes de absorver radiação ultravioleta obtidas a partir de modificações no líquido da castanha de caju; são também descritas composições destinadas à proteção de superfícies e processos químicos para a produção das referidas moléculas

Disminución de la debilidad muscular adquirida en UCI con la implementación de un protocolo multi-componente. Ensayo clínico cuasi-experimental.

Introduction. Intensive care unit-acquired weakness (DAUCI) is a frequent complication that affects the prognosis of critical illness during hospitalization and at hospital discharge. Objectives. To determine if a multi-component protocol of early active mobilization, adequate pain control, non-sedation, non-pharmacologic delirium prevention, cognitive stimulation and family support, reduce ICU-acquired weakness at ICU discharge. Materials and methods. Non-randomized clinical trial in two mixed intensive care units from a high complexity hospital of patients over 14 years of age with Invasive Mechanical Ventilation (VM) > 48 hours. Intervention: multicomponent protocol during intensive care hospitalization vs usual care. Results. 82 patients in the intervention group and 106 in the control group were analyzed. Muscle weakness adquired in the ICU at ICU discharge was less frequent in the intervention group (41.3% vs 78.9%, p<0.00001); the mobility score at ICU (IMS) discharge was better in the intervention group (median 3.5 vs 2, p<0.0138). There were not a statistically significant difference neither invasive mechanical ventilation free-days at day 28 nor mortality (18 vs 15 days, p<0.49 and 18.2 vs 27.3%, p<0.167). Conclusion. A multicomponent protocol of early active mobilization significantly reduces ICU-acquired muscle weakness at ICU discharge.Introducción. La debilidad adquirida en la unidad de cuidado intensivo (DAUCI) es una complicación frecuente en pacientes con enfermedades críticas que puede tener un impacto negativo en su pronóstico tanto a corto, como largo término. Objetivos. Evaluar si la utilización de un protocolo multi-componente que incluye movilidad activa temprana, manejo efectivo del dolor, reducción de la sedación, medidas no farmacológicas para prevenir el delirium, estimulación cognitiva y apoyo familiar, puede disminuir la incidencia de (DAUCI) al egreso de UCI. Materiales y métodos. Ensayo clínico no aleatorizado en dos unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI) mixtas de un hospital de tercer nivel. Los participantes fueron pacientes mayores de 14 años con VM por más de 48 horas. Intervención: protocolo multi-componente. Control: cuidado usual o estándar. Resultados. Ingresaron 188 pacientes al estudio, 82 al grupo deintervención y 106 al grupo control. La tasa de DAUCI al egreso de UCI fue significativamente menor en el grupo de intervención (41.3% vs 78.9%, p<0.00001). La mediana del puntaje de movilidad al alta de la UCI fue mayor en el grupo de intervención (3.5 vs 2, p<0.0138). No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las medianas de días libres de VM ni de UCI al día 28, tampoco en la tasa de mortalidad general al egreso del hospital (18 vs 15 días, p<0.49; 18.2% vs 27.3%, p<0.167). Conclusiones. Un protocolo multi-componente que incluía movilidad activa temprana tuvo un impacto significativo en la reducción de la DAUCI al egreso de UCI en comparación con el cuidado estándar