Assessment of pharmacokinetic changes of meropenem during therapy in septic critically ill patients

Background: Meropenem is a carbapenem antibiotic commonly used in critically ill patients to treat severe infections. The available pharmacokinetic (PK) data has been mostly obtained from healthy volunteers as well as from clinical studies addressing selected populations, often excluding the elderly and also patients with renal failure. Our aim was to study PK of meropenem in a broader population of septic critically ill patients. Methods: We characterized the PK of meropenem in 15 critically ill patients during the first 36 hrs of therapy. Aditionally, whenever possible, we collected a second set of late plasma samples after 5 days of therapy to evaluate PK intra-patient variability and its correlation with clinical course. Patients received meropenem (1 g every 8 hrs IV). Drug plasma profiles were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The PK of meropenem was characterized and compared with clinical parameters. Results: Fifteen septic critically ill patients (8 male, median age 73 yrs) were included. The geometric mean of the volume of distribution at the steady state (V-ss)/weight was 0.20 (0.15-0.27) L/kg. No correlation of Vss/weight with severity or comorbidity scores was found. However the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score correlated with the Vss/ weight of the peripheral compartment (r(2) = 0.55, p = 0.021). The median meropenem clearance (Cl) was 73.3 (45-120) mL/min correlated with the creatinine (Cr) Cl (r(2)=0.35, p = 0.033). After 5 days (N = 7) although Vss remained stable, a decrease in the proportion of the peripheral compartment (V-ss2) was found, from 61.3 (42.5-88.5)\% to 51.7 (36.6-73.1)\%. No drug accumulation was noted. Conclusions: In this cohort of septic, unselected, critically ill patients, large meropenem PK heterogeneity was noted, although neither underdosing nor accumulation was found. However, Cr Cl correlated to meropenem Cl and the Vss2 decreased with patient's improvement.publishersversionpublishe

Technological cooperation network in biotechnology: Analysis of patents with Brazil as the priority country

Purpose – The establishment of partnerships between companies, government and universities aims to enhance innovation and the technological development of institutions. The biotechnology sector has grown in recent years mainly driven by its cooperative business model. Compared to other countries, this sector is slowly advancing in Brazil, with delays in science, technology and innovation, especially in the private sector. This paper aims to examine, through social network analysis, the collaborative networks between institutions that filed patents in biotechnology – medicinal preparations from plants – whose inventions had Brazil as the priority country. Design/methodology/approach – The study of technological cooperation using patent documents is a reliable approach as they serve as good indicators of the interactions between organizations that focus on innovation and development of new product. Social network analysis of cooperation networks helps to understand the connections between patent assignees, and how they establish relationships. Findings – Results show that public universities are the institutions that most deposit patents, as well as those that co-operate the most, especially Universidade of Campinas. The study also reveals the critical role of Research Support Agencies in stimulating research and technological development, which result in new technologies. Originality/value – The study applied the social network analysis to provide an overview of the interactions among Brazilian institutions with the purpose of helping in decision-making and inciting public policies to leverage the biotechnology sector

Improvement of Student Attention Monitoring Supported by Precision Sensing in Learning Management Systems

A Learning Management Systems (LMS) can benefit from the inclusion Computer-Mediated-Communications (CMC) software for delivering materials. Incorporating CMC tools in virtual classrooms or implementing educational blogs, can be very effective in e-learning platforms. In such student-centered interaction scenarios, it is important to monitor and manage student attention in a precise way to enhance student performance. Sensing with precision through 6G/7G technology allows to include electronic and software devices to produce such monitoring. This chapter contextualizes and describes an abstraction application scenario of sensing and monitoring student attention with high precision in Learning Management System with new communication systems. In that context, technology (e.g. sensors), is used to perform automatic attention monitoring, helping to manage students in e-Learning. Additionally, the document presents a possible scenario which supports intelligent services to the monitoring of student attention during e-learning activities in the context of Smart HEI (Higher Education Institutes)

Grape juice increases the BDNF levels but not alter the S100B levels in hippocampus and frontal cortex from male Wistar rats

Several studies have shown that a high consumption of vegetables and fruits is consistently associated with a low risk of oxidative stress-induced diseases, which includes some degenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer and Parkinson. Therefore, the objective of this study is to verify the effects of conventional and organic grape juice in the modulation of the neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and astrocytic markers protein (S100B) in hippocampus and frontal cortex of Wistar rats. In this study, 24 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups. To the first one, it was given organic purple grape juice; to the second, conventional grape juice, while the last one received only saline. After 30 days, all rats were sacrificed and hippocampus and frontal cortex were dissected. The animals that received organic and conventional grape juice showed, in frontal cortex, an elevated BNDF levels in relation to saline group. However, S100B levels did not change. These results showed that grape juices are able to modulate important marker in brain tissue, and could be an important factor to prevent brain diseases

Muon Array with RPCs for Tagging Air showers (MARTA)

We discuss the concept of an array with Resistive Plate Chambers (RPC) for muon detection in ultra-high energy cosmic ray (UHECR) experiments. RPC have been used in particle physics experiments due to their fast timing properties and spatial resolution. The operation of a ground array detector poses challenging demands, as the RPC must operate remotely under extreme en- vironments, with limited power and minimal maintenance. In its baseline configuration, each MARTA unit includes one 1.5x1.2 m 2 RPC, with 64 pickup electrodes (pads). The DAQ sys- tem is based on an ASIC, allowing one to read out the high number of channels with low power consumption. Data are recorded using a dual technique: single particle counting with a simple threshold on the signal from each pad and charge integration for high occupancy. The RPC, DAQ, High Voltage and monitoring systems are enclosed in an aluminum-sealed case, providing a com- pact and robust unit suited for outdoor environments, which can be easily deployed and connected. The RPCs developed at LIP-Coimbra are able to operate using very low gas flux, which allows running them for few years with a small gas reservoir. Several full-scale units are already installed and taking data in several locations and with different configurations, proving the viability of the MARTA concept. By shielding the detector units with enough slant mass to absorb the electro- magnetic component in the air showers, a clean measurement of the muon content is allowed, a concept to be implemented in a next generation of UHECR experiments. The specificities of a MARTA unit are presented, which include particle counting with high efficiency, time resolu- tion and spatial segmentation. The potential of the MARTA concept for muon measurements in air showers is assessed, as well as tentative methods for calibration and cross-calibrations with existing detectors.Peer Reviewe

Insights Into Limnothrix sp. Metabolism Based on Comparative Genomics

Currently only four genome sequences for Limnothrix spp. are publicly available, and information on the genetic properties of cyanobacteria belonging to this genus is limited. In this study, we report the draft genome of Limnothrix sp. CACIAM 69d, isolated from the reservoir of a hydroelectric dam located in the Amazon ecosystem, from where cyanobacterial genomic data are still scarce. Comparative genomic analysis of Limnothrix revealed the presence of key enzymes in the cyanobacterial central carbon metabolism and how it is well equipped for environmental sulfur and nitrogen acquisition. Additionally, this work covered the analysis of Limnothrix CRISPR-Cas systems, pathways related to biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and assembly of extracellular polymeric substances and their exportation. A trans-AT PKS gene cluster was identified in two strains, possibly related to the novel toxin Limnothrixin biosynthesis. Overall, the draft genome of Limnothrix sp. CACIAM 69d adds new data to the small Limnothrix genome library and contributes to a growing representativeness of cyanobacterial genomes from the Amazon region. The comparative genomic analysis of Limnothrix made it possible to highlight unique genes for each strain and understand the overall features of their metabolism

The cytotoxicity of 3-bromopyruvate in breast cancer cells depends on extracellular pH

Although the anti-cancer properties of 3BP have been described previously, its selectivity for cancer cells still needs to be explained. In the work reported here we characterized the kinetic parameters of radiolabelled [14C]-3BP uptake in three breast cancer cell lines that display different levels of resistance to 3BP: ZR-75-1 < MCF-7 < SK-BR-3. At pH 6.0 the affinity of cancer cells for 3BP transport, correlates with their sensitivity, a pattern that does not occur at pH 7.4. In the three cell lines, the uptake of 3BP is dependent on the proton motive force and is decreased by MCTs inhibitors. In the SK-BR-3 cell line, a sodium-dependent transport also occurs. Butyrate promotes the localization of MCT-1 at the plasma membrane and increases the level of MCT-4 expression, leading to a higher sensitivity for 3BP. Here, we demonstrate that this phenotype is accompanied by an increase in affinity for 3BP uptake. Our results confirm the role of MCTs, especially MCT-1 in 3BP uptake and the importance of CD147 glycosylation in this process. We find that the affinity for 3BP transport is higher when the extracellular milieu is acid. This is a typical phenotype of tumor microenvironment and explains the lack of secondary effects of 3BP already described in in vivo studies.FEDER (Fundo Europeu deDesenvolvimento Regional), through POFC (Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade) – COMPETE, and by Portuguese National Funds from FCT (Fundac¸˜ao para a Ciˆencia e Tecnologia) in the scope of the project PEst-OE/BIA/U14050/2014. JAS [grant number SFRH/BD/76038/2011] received a fellowship from the Portuguese government from the FCT through FSE (Fundo Social Europeu) and POPH (Programa Operacional Potencial Humano)

Avaliação das diferentes unidades de fotoativação na microdureza das resinas injetáveis

A evolução das técnicas envolvendo a aplicação das resinas injetáveis e o impacto das diferentes unidades de fotoativação com diferentes intensidades de luz sobre a microdureza dos compósitos de resinas fluidas, vem promovendo grandes avanços na Odontologia. Porém, existem alguns desafios para que ela alcance todo seu potencial, como o grau inadequado de conversão e baixas propriedades mecânicas devido a uma polimerização ineficiente que pode resultar em falhas na restauração. Com isso, é necessária uma polimerização adequada, e a escolha da unidade de fotoativação utilizada pode influenciar. O objetivo desse estudo, consiste em avaliar as diferentes unidades de fotopolimerização, com diferentes intensidades de luz, na microdureza das resinas injetáveis. Foram selecionadas quatro unidades de fotoativação (Radii cal (SDI), Bluephase Style (Ivoclar Vivadent), Valo Grand (Ultradent) e o Poly Wireless (Kavo) e foram medidas suas intensidades de luz por um radiômetro. A resina composta injetável escolhida foi a Beautifil Flow Plus F00. Para o teste de microdureza Vickers, os corpos de prova foram preparados e polimerizados por 40s no total, e polidos com os discos Soflex em 3 granulações. Após 24h de armazenamento no seco e no escuro, foi realizada a leitura no microdurômetro. Ao todo, foram realizadas 60 leituras nos corpos de prova de acordo com os grupos experimentais. O único grupo que obteve uma diferença estatisticamente significante dos demais foi o grupo Valo Grand, onde os valores de microdureza foram maiores. As diferentes intensidades de luz influenciam na microdureza das resinas injetáveis, porém, este não é o único fator contribuinte

Análise dos pacientes com Câncer Renal no Hospital Geral de Fortaleza no período de 2017 a 2022

Introdução: Dentre as neoplasias urológicas, o câncer de rim é considerado o mais letal, com 17% dos pacientes apresentando metástase a distância no momento do diagnóstico e aproximadamente 40% dos pacientes morrendo devido à progressão da doença. Objetivo: Analisar o perfil clínico e epidemiológico dos pacientes diagnosticados com câncer renal submetidos a nefrectomia radical ou parcial no Hospital Geral de Fortaleza no período de julho de 2017 a junho de 2022. Método: Coorte retrospectivo utilizando dados secundários disponibilizados pelo Departamento de Estatística do Hospital e análise de prontuários médicos. Resultados: Foram analisados 102 procedimentos cirúrgicos, dos quais 63,1 % corresponderam a nefrectomia radical e 30,1% nefrectomia parcial. A proporção entre homens e mulheres foi de 1,5:1. Houve predomínio de incidência na sexta e sétima década de vida. A maioria dos pacientes foram tratados em estágios iniciais da doença, com 60% apresentando estadio I ao diagnóstico. O subtipo histológico mais comum foi o carcinoma renal de células claras. As complicações pós-operatórias foram raras. Conclusão: O presente trabalho apresentou resultados similares aos apresentados nos estudos epidemiológicos mais recentes a respeito das neoplasias renais. Estudos retrospectivos como este podem contribuir para a compreensão das características dos pacientes portadores de câncer renal atendidos no estado do Ceará