Crusted (Norwegian) scabies treated with oral ivermectin : a case report and overview

Crusted (Norwegian) scabies is a severe and highly contagious form of infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. It occurs in a subgroup of patients who are either immunocompromised or physically or mentally debilitated. Due to its atypical clinical presentation as well as difficulties associated with its management it presents a number of challenges both from a therapeutic aspect as well as from public health perspective. Failure to diagnose this condition may give rise to a massive epidemic when the patient is in an institutional setting. We describe a case of crusted scabies which occurred in a nursing home leading to an institutional outbreak. She received a combination of oral ivermectin and topical scabicidal with good results. This case highlights the importance of being alert to the possible diagnosis of crusted scabies and gives an overview of the condition as well as management strategies.peer-reviewe

A Rede de Valor, O Modelo Delta e a Indústria Aeronáutica

This article intends to analyze the possibilities of applying strategies based upon the value net to the aeronautics industry. To do so, we have employed the dimensions suggested by the Delta Model since this typology of strategy considers not only the company, its customers and suppliers, but also its complementors. By studying a single although highly representative case in the global aeronautics industry, we have found out that strategies focused on the value net strongly support the business model of the company under investigation. Moreover, these strategies are the means by which the organization studied obtains and sustains competitive advantages. Strategies focused on the value net seem to fit well into the risk-sharing business model employed by Embraer, and the effective management of the value net simultaneously allows each participant to get the most out of the system and strongly contribute to increase system performance. Besides providing all participants with above average economic returns, strategies based upon the value net strengthen the bonding among them while locking them in and competitors out.Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar las posibilidades de implementar estrategias basadas en la red de valor en la industria aeronáutica. Para ello, utilizamos las dimensiones sugeridas en el Modelo Delta, ya que este tipo de estrategia tiene en cuenta no sólo la empresa, clientes y proveedores, sino también sus complementarias. A través de un estudio de caso único, pero muy representativa de la industria mundial de la aviación (Embraer), se encontró que las estrategias basadas en los valores de red, apoyamos firmemente el modelo de negocio de la empresa investigada. Estas estrategias son el medio por el cual la organización estudiada obtiene y mantiene una ventaja competitiva. Las estrategias basadas en los valores de la red parecen encajar en el modelo de negocio de distribución de riesgos adoptada por Embraer. La gestión eficaz de la red de valores al mismo tiempo permite que cada participante al máximo disfrutar del sistema y contribuye decisivamente a aumentar el rendimiento del sistema. Además de llevar a los participantes sobre el rendimiento económico promedio, estas estrategias fortalecer el vínculo entre ellos, manteniendo a sus competidores.Este artigo pretende analisar as possibilidades de aplicação de estratégias baseadas na rede de valores na indústria aeronáutica. Para este fim, usamos as dimensões sugeridas no Modelo Delta, visto que este tipo de estratégia não considera apenas a companhia, os clientes e fornecedores, mas também seus complementadores. Por meio de um estudo de caso único, porém altamente representativo na indústria aeronáutica global (Embraer), verificou-se que estratégias baseadas na rede de valores sustentam fortemente o modelo de negócios da companhia pesquisada. Essas estratégias são os meios pelos quais a organização estudada obtém e sustenta vantagens competitivas. As estratégias baseadas na rede de valores parecem se adequar ao modelo de negócios de compartilhamento de riscos adotado pela Embraer. O gerenciamento efetivo da rede de valores simultaneamente permite que cada participante aproveite o sistema ao máximo e contribui incisivamente para incrementar o desempenho do sistema. Além de trazerem aos participantes retorno econômico acima da média, tais estratégias fortalecem a ligação entre eles enquanto mantém fora os competidores.DOI:10.5585/riae.v11i2.187

Virus-Free CRISPR CAR T cells induce solid tumor regression

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has shown promising efficacy in treating hematologic malignancies and has led to the FDA-approval of three CAR T cell products. However, there has been little success in treating solid tumors, as clinical trials to date have yielded little to no responses and no improvement in survival. Current methods of CAR T cell production typically involve the use of viral vectors which can give rise to complications such as insertional mutagenesis, leading to gene silencing or oncogene activation. In addition, GMP-grade viral vector manufacturing can be expensive with lengthy wait times for new batches. Here we have developed a virus-free strategy in primary T cells that has eliminated the use of viral vectors through the use of CRISPR-Cas9 to precisely edit the chimeric antigen receptor into the TRAC gene1. Our method of virus free production begins through the generation of a double stranded DNA (dsDNA) template produced by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This template is then combined with a SpCas9-single guide RNA to create a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. Isolated human primary T cells from adult healthy donors are then nucleofected with the RNP and dsDNA template on day 2 of ex vivo expansion. Flow cytometry is then utilized to immunophenotype the cell product and analyze the percent of efficiency of CAR gene transfer. Within the cell product, the editing efficiencies are \u3e95% TCR knockout and 35% CAR+. Transcriptional profiling indicates that the virus-free CART cells have a favorable memory-like phenotype. In addition to our in vitro work, in vivo mice studies with anti-GD2 CART products demonstrate regression of GD2+ solid tumors upon virus-free CART treatment, showing similar potency and survival to viral-produced CAR T cells. The production of virus-free CAR T cells has high potential to enable the rapid and flexible manufacturing of highly defined and highly potent CAR T cell products for the treatment of solid tumors. 1 Mueller, K. et al. CRISPR-mediated insertion of a chimeric antigen receptor produces nonviral T cell products capable of inducing solid tumor regression. bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.08.06.455489 (2021)

Updating the mediterranean diet pyramid towards sustainability: focus on environmental concerns

Background: Nowadays the food production, supply and consumption chain represent a major cause of ecological pressure on the natural environment, and diet links worldwide human health with environmental sustainability. Food policy, dietary guidelines and food security strategies need to evolve from the limited historical approach, mainly focused on nutrients and health, to a new one considering the environmental, socio-economic and cultural impact—and thus the sustainability—of diets. Objective: To present an updated version of the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid (MDP) to reflect multiple environmental concerns. Methods: We performed a revision and restructuring of the MDP to incorporate more recent findings on the sustainability and environmental impact of the Mediterranean Diet pattern, as well as its associations with nutrition and health. For each level of the MDP we provided a third dimension featuring the corresponding environmental aspects related to it. Conclusions: The new environmental dimension of the MDP enhances food intake recommendations addressing both health and environmental issues. Compared to the previous 2011 version, it emphasizes more strongly a lower consumption of red meat and bovine dairy products, and a higher consumption of legumes and locally grown eco-friendly plant foods as much as possible

Virus-Free CRISPR CAR T cells induce solid tumor regression

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has shown promising efficacy in treating hematologic malignancies and has led to the FDA-approval of three CAR T cell products. However, there has been little success in treating solid tumors, as clinical trials to date have yielded little to no responses and no improvement in survival. Current methods of CAR T cell production typically involve the use of viral vectors which can give rise to complications such as insertional mutagenesis, leading to gene silencing or oncogene activation. In addition, GMP-grade viral vector manufacturing can be expensive with lengthy wait times for new batches. Here we have developed a virus-free strategy in primary T cells that has eliminated the use of viral vectors through the use of CRISPR-Cas9 to precisely edit the chimeric antigen receptor into the TRAC gene1. Our method of virus free production begins through the generation of a double stranded DNA (dsDNA) template produced by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This template is then combined with a SpCas9-single guide RNA to create a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. Isolated human primary T cells from adult healthy donors are then nucleofected with the RNP and dsDNA template on day 2 of ex vivo expansion. Flow cytometry is then utilized to immunophenotype the cell product and analyze the percent of efficiency of CAR gene transfer. Within the cell product, the editing efficiencies are \u3e95% TCR knockout and 35% CAR+. Transcriptional profiling indicates that the virus-free CART cells have a favorable memory-like phenotype. In addition to our in vitro work, in vivo mice studies with anti-GD2 CART products demonstrate regression of GD2+ solid tumors upon virus-free CART treatment, showing similar potency and survival to viral-produced CAR T cells. The production of virus-free CAR T cells has high potential to enable the rapid and flexible manufacturing of highly defined and highly potent CAR T cell products for the treatment of solid tumors. 1 Mueller, K. et al. CRISPR-mediated insertion of a chimeric antigen receptor produces nonviral T cell products capable of inducing solid tumor regression. bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.08.06.455489 (2021)

The effect of seasoning with herbs on the nutritional, safety and sensory properties of reduced-sodium fermented Cobrançosa cv. table olives

This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of seasoning Cobrancosa table olives in a brine with aromatic ingredients, in order to mask the bitter taste given by KCl when added to reduced-sodium fermentation brines. Olives were fermented in two different salt combinations: Brine A, containing 8% NaCl and, Brine B, a reduced-sodium brine, containing 4% NaCl + 4% KCl. After the fermentation the olives were immersed in seasoning brines with NaCl (2%) and the aromatic herbs (thyme, oregano and calamintha), garlic and lemon. At the end of the fermentation and two weeks after seasoning, the physicochemical, nutritional, organoleptic, and microbiological parameters, were determined. The olives fermented in the reduced-sodium brines had half the sodium concentration, higher potassium and calcium content, a lower caloric level, but were considered, by a sensorial panel, more bitter than olives fermented in NaCl brine. Seasoned table olives, previously fermented in Brine A and Brine B, had no significant differences in the amounts of protein (1.23% or 1.11%), carbohydrates (1.0% or 0.66%), fat (20.0% or 20.5%) and dietary fiber (3.4% or 3.6%). Regarding mineral contents, the sodium-reduced fermented olives, presented one third of sodium, seven times more potassium and three times more calcium than the traditional olives fermented in 8% NaCl. Additionally, according to the panelists' evaluation, seasoning the olives fermented in 4% NaCl + 4% KCl, resulted in a decrease in bitterness and an improvement in the overall evaluation and flavor. Escherichia coli and Salmonella were not found in the olives produced.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

High-accuracy determination of the neutron flux in the new experimental area n_TOF-EAR2 at CERN

A new high flux experimental area has recently become operational at the n_TOF facility at CERN. This new measuring station, n_TOF-EAR2, is placed at the end of a vertical beam line at a distance of approximately 20m from the spallation target. The characterization of the neutron beam, in terms of flux, spatial profile and resolution function, is of crucial importance for the feasibility study and data analysis of all measurements to be performed in the new area. In this paper, the measurement of the neutron flux, performed with different solid-state and gaseous detection systems, and using three neutron-converting reactions considered standard in different energy regions is reported. The results of the various measurements have been combined, yielding an evaluated neutron energy distribution in a wide energy range, from 2meV to 100MeV, with an accuracy ranging from 2%, at low energy, to 6% in the high-energy region. In addition, an absolute normalization of the n_TOF-EAR2 neutron flux has been obtained by means of an activation measurement performed with 197Au foils in the beam.Peer reviewe