Geographical variation in antimicrobial use and multiresistant pathogens in Brazilian intensive care units: a nationwide study

Introduction: Geographical analyses of antibiotic use identify regions with the highest consumption and help design policies for strategic patient groups.Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional study based on official data available in July 2022 from Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). Antibiotics are reported as a defined daily dose (DDD) per 1,000 patient-days, and central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is defined according to Anvisa criteria. We also considered multi-drug resistant (MDR) as the critical pathogens the World Health Organization listed. We measured antimicrobial use and CLABSI trends per ICU bed using the compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Results: we evaluated the regional variation in CLABSI by multidrug-resistant pathogens and the antimicrobial use in 1,836 hospital intensive care units (ICUs). In 2020, the leader in use in intensive care units (ICUs) in the North was piperacillin/tazobactam (DDD = 929.7) in the Northeast. Midwest and South were meropenem (DDD = 809.4 and DDD = 688.1, respectively), and Southeast was ceftriaxone (DDD = 751.1). The North has reduced polymyxin use (91.1%), and ciprofloxacin increased (439%) in the South. There was an increase in CLABSI by carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the North region (CAGR = 120.5%). Otherwise, CLABSI by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) increased in all regions except the North (CAGR =-62.2%), while that carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii increased in the Midwest (CAGR = 27.3%). Conclusions: we found heterogeneity in antimicrobial use patterns and CLABSI etiology among Brazilian ICUs. Although Gram-negative bacilli were the primary responsible agent, we observed a notable increase trend of CLABSI by VRE

Doença Hepática Poliquística Isolada

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

ATENA–A Novel Rapidly Manufactured Medical Invasive Ventilator Designed as a Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Testing Protocol, Safety, and Performance Validation

Background: The urgent need for mechanical ventilators to support respiratory insufficiency due to SARS-CoV-2 led to a worldwide effort to develop low-cost, easily assembled, and locally manufactured ventilators. The ATENA ventilator project was developed in a community-based approach targeting the development, prototyping, testing, and decentralized manufacturing of a new mechanical ventilator. Objective: This article aims to demonstrate ATENA's adequate performance and safety for clinical use. Material: ATENA is a low-cost ventilator that can be rapidly manufactured, easily assembled, and locally produced anywhere in the world. It was developed following the guidelines and requirements provided by European and International Regulatory Authorities (MHRA, ISO 86201) and National Authorities (INFARMED). The device was thoroughly tested using laboratory lung simulators and animal models. Results: The device meets all the regulatory requirements for pandemic ventilators. Additionally, the pre-clinical experiences demonstrated security and adequate ventilation and oxygenation, in vivo. Conclusion: The ATENA ventilator had a good performance in required tests in laboratory scenarios and pre-clinical studies. In a pandemic context, ATENA is perfectly suited for safely treating patients in need of mechanical ventilation.Financial support and sponsorship by CEiiA, INOV4COVID program, donations from scientific patronage, and commercial sales

Multiplex PCR for detection of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance determinants, mcr-1, mcr-2, mcr-3, mcr-4 and mcr-5 for surveillance purposes

Background and aim: Plasmid-mediated colistin resistance mechanisms have been identified worldwide in the past years. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol for detection of all currently known transferable colistin resistance genes (mcr-1 to mcr-5, and variants) in Enterobacteriaceae was developed for surveillance or research purposes. Methods: We designed four new primer pairs to amplify mcr-1, mcr-2, mcr-3 and mcr-4 gene products and used the originally described primers for mcr-5 to obtain a stepwise separation of ca 200 bp between ampli-cons. The primer pairs and amplification conditions allow for single or multiple detection of all currently described mcr genes and their variants present in Enterobacteriaceae. The protocol was validated testing 49 European Escherichia coli and Salmonella isolates of animal origin. Results: Multiplex PCR results in bovine and porcine isolates from Spain, Germany, France and Italy showed full concordance with whole genome sequence data. The method was able to detect mcr-1, mcr-3 and mcr-4 as singletons or in different combinations as they were present in the test isolates. One new mcr-4 variant, mcr-4.3, was also identified. Conclusions: This method allows rapid identification of mcr-positive bacteria and overcomes the challenges of phenotypic detection of colistin resistance. The multiplex PCR should be particularly interesting in settings or laboratories with limited resources for performing genetic analysis as it provides information on the mechanism of colistin resistance without requiring genome sequencing. © 2018, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). All rights reserved

Isomorphic diffuse glioma is a morphologically and molecularly distinct tumour entity with recurrent gene fusions of MYBL1 or MYB and a benign disease course

The “isomorphic subtype of diffuse astrocytoma” was identified histologically in 2004 as a supratentorial, highly differentiated glioma with low cellularity, low proliferation and focal diffuse brain infiltration. Patients typically had seizures since childhood and all were operated on as adults. To define the position of these lesions among brain tumours, we histologically, molecularly and clinically analysed 26 histologically prototypical isomorphic diffuse gliomas. Immunohistochemically, they were GFAP-positive, MAP2-, OLIG2- and CD34-negative, nuclear ATRX-expression was retained and proliferation was low. All 24 cases sequenced were IDH-wildtype. In cluster analyses of DNA methylation data, isomorphic diffuse gliomas formed a group clearly distinct from other glial/glio-neuronal brain tumours and normal hemispheric tissue, most closely related to paediatric MYB/MYBL1-altered diffuse astrocytomas and angiocentric gliomas. Half of the isomorphic diffuse gliomas had copy number alterations of MYBL1 or MYB (13/25, 52%). Gene fusions of MYBL1 or MYB with various gene partners were identified in 11/22 (50%) and were associated with an increased RNA-expression of the respective MYB-family gene. Integrating copy number alterations and available RNA sequencing data, 20/26 (77%) of isomorphic diffuse gliomas demonstrated MYBL1 (54%) or MYB (23%) alterations. Clinically, 89% of patients were seizure-free after surgery and all had a good outcome. In summary, we here define a distinct benign tumour class belonging to the family of MYB/MYBL1-altered gliomas. Isomorphic diffuse glioma occurs both in children and adults, has a concise morphology, frequent MYBL1 and MYB alterations and a specific DNA methylation profile. As an exclusively histological diagnosis may be very challenging and as paediatric MYB/MYBL1-altered diffuse astrocytomas may have the same gene fusions, we consider DNA methylation profiling very helpful for their identification

Improving the design of virtual reality devices applying an ergonomics guideline

A methodology with the objective of evaluating the aesthetics and ergonomics of virtual reality glasses is presented. Many developers apply best practices taking into account hardware features, physiological considerations and interactive patterns that provide a safe and comfortable user experience. Usually, the user tests a virtual reality application in laboratory conditions. In this work, authors are paying attention to the first time that a user tries virtual reality glasses. In this initial phase, it is necessary to analyse the first impression considering the comfort of glasses on the face and head of the user. Using ergonomics principles, this work shows the creation of heuristics inside a guideline with the aim of improving the design of low-cost virtual reality glasses.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version