Efecto de la emulsificación sobre la actividad antimicrobiana del carvacrol

Este trabajo se basa en la emulsificación del carvacrol para su incorporación a jugos con el objetivo de retener su actividad antimicrobiana y mejorar la estabilidad del aceite en sistemas acuosos. El carvacrol se emulsificó (CA-E) utilizando capsul® (emulsión1:2) y la actividad antimicrobiana se determinó sobre Escherichia coli y Lactobacillus plantarum. El efecto combinado de CA-E y la reducción del pH a 4,5 se evaluó en diferentes jugos. La emulsión no afectó la sensibilidad de L. plantarum al carvacrol; sin embargo, E. coli presentó mayor concentración mínima inhibitoria. Los tratamientos combinados incrementaron el efecto, 0,5 µL/mL CA-E aumentó desde 0,2 a 2,1 reducciones log de E. coli. La emulsión de carvacrol (1,0 µL/mL) inactivó exitosamente a E. coli en jugos de manzana y naranja, alcanzando niveles indetectables (<1 log UFC/mL). La eficacia de la emulsión de carvacrol aumentó por la acidificación, permitiendo su uso en bajas dosis en alimentos ácidos, constituyendo una alternativa para múltiples aplicaciones en alimentos.This work focuses on the emulsification of carvacrol for its incorporation into juices with the aim of retaining antimicrobial activity while enhancing the stability of the oil in aqueous systems. Carvacrol was emulsified (CA-E) using capsul® (1:2 emulsion) and its antimicrobial activity was determined on Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus plantarum. The combined effect of CA-E and pH reduction to 4.5 was assessed on different juices. The sensitivity of L. plantarum to carvacrol was not affected by emulsification, whereas E. coli presented higher minimal inhibitory concentrations. Combined treatments improved the effect: 0.5 µL/mL CA-E increased from 0.2 to 2.1 log reductions of E. coli. Carvacrol emulsion (1.0 µL/mL) successfully inactivated E. coli in apple and orange juices, attaining undetectable levels (<1 log CFU/mL). The efficacy of carvacrol emulsion was improved by acidification; therefore, its incorporation at low doses in acidic foods may be a useful alternative for multiple applications.Fil: Char, Cielo Dolores. Universidad de Chile; Chile. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Cisternas, Lorena. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Perez, Francisco. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Guerrero, Sandra N.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Industrias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Clozapine as add-on medication in the maintenance treatment of bipolar and schizoaffective disorders - A case series

Atypical neuroleptics are increasingly used in the treatment of bipolar and schizoaffective disorders. Currently, numerous controlled short-term studies are available for clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone or quetiapine, but long-term data are still missing. Three patients (2 with bipolar disorder, 1 with schizoaffective disorder) are described who showed a marked reduction of affective symptomatology after clozapine had been added to mood stabilizer pretreatment. The patients were seen once a month before and after the introduction of clozapine for at least 6 months. Treatment response was evaluated using different rating scales (IDS, YMRS; GAF; CGIBP) and the NIMH Life Chart Methodology. All patients showed a marked improvement after the add-on treatment with clozapine had been initiated. Clozapine was tolerated well with only transient and moderate weight gain and fatigue as only side effects. This case series underlines the safety and efficacy of clozapine as add-on medication in the treatment of bipolar and schizoaffective disorders. Copyright (C) 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

The Stanley Foundation Bipolar Network: Results of the naturalistic follow-up study after 2.5 years of follow-up in the German centres

The Stanley Foundation Bipolar Network (SFBN) is an international, multisite network investigating the characteristics and course of bipolar disorder. Methods (history, ratings and longitudinal follow-up) are standardized and equally applied in all 7 centres. This article describes demographics and illness characteristics of the first 152 German patients enrolled in them SFBN as well as the results of 2.5 years of follow-up. Patients in Germany were usually enrolled after hospitalisation. More than 72% of the study population suffered from bipolar I disorder and 25% from bipolar 11 disorder. The mean +/- SD age of the study participants was 42.08 +/- 13.5 years, and the mean SD age of onset 24.44 +/- 10.9 years. More than 40% of the sample reported a rapid-cycling course in history, and even more a cycle acceleration overtime. 37% attempted suicide at least once. 36% had an additional Axis I disorder, with alcohol abuse being the most common one, followed by anxiety disorders. During the follow-up period, only 27% remained stable, 56% had a recurrence, 12.8% perceived subsyndromal symptoms despite treatment and regular visits. 27% suffered from a rapid-cycling course during the follow-up period. Recurrences were significantly associated with bipolar I disorder, an additional comorbid Axis I disorder, rapid cycling in history, a higher number of mood stabilizers and the long-term use of typical antipsychotics. Rapid cycling during follow-up was only associated with a rapidcycling course in history, a higher number of mood stabilizers and at least one suicide attempt in history. Copyright (c) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel

Educating Nursing Students on Emergency Preparedness: A Pilot Program

The purpose of this project was to determine if a disaster preparedness educational intervention for nursing students’ could engage students in personal preparedness and enhance their willingness to respond during a public health emergency. The United States (U.S.) is among the top five countries in the world that experience frequent natural disasters (Guha-Sapir et al., 2012). With over 3.1 million nurses in the U.S. (AACN, 2011) and their importance to healthcare, the nursing profession plays a crucial role in the ability of the nation to prepare for and respond to disasters. Currently, however, nurses in the U.S. lack the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to effectively respond to disasters, thereby placing the public at risk. A pilot program was developed that introduced the topic of disaster preparedness to senior level nursing students through a one-hour course. The pilot program utilized a pre- and post-survey method to evaluate the effect of the education on nursing students. A convenience sample of 18 students participated in the class, course evaluation and pre-survey, and 14 students responded to the post- survey request. Data were collected and analyzed on the course evaluation, measuring how well the course objectives were met and the appropriateness of the teaching strategies. Pre- and post- survey results were compared to determine the effectiveness of the pilot program. The results indicated that the course encouraged nursing students to engage in preparedness, and to be willing to respond. No increased in pre-registration with a professional emergency preparedness organization was noted. Implications from this pilot program include the need for further studies regarding best methods for educating nursing students. Also, advance practice registered nurses need to lead the nursing profession in emergency preparedness to increase the resilience of the United States during disasters

Method Development and Validation of Total Mercury Content in Effluent Wastewater by Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectroscopy

The presence and concentration of ambient mercury contamination in our natural environment and workplaces will continue to be closely monitored and regulated as it imposes grave implications and serious risks to human health. Ongoing quantitative analysis has already become a routine part of industrial chemical plants’ in-process and end-stage testing. Mercury contamination in waste generated by these chemical processes can present substantial operational hurdles, as compliance must be demonstrated by treatment, accurate measurement, and timely reporting of waste materials against stringently low limits before release into natural bodies of water or the municipal water supply. An accurate and reliable low-level method of analysis for the chemical detection and quantitation of total mercury content in effluent wastewater from an industrial chemical plant has been validated and deemed suitable for its intended use. The method validation parameters included an assessment of selectivity, linearity (range), accuracy, precision, and robustness. Acceptable system suitability and sample results for all experiments were demonstrated according to current acceptable practices and limits laid forth in a pre-determined validation plan

American Expatriates\u27 Experiences of Stress and Burnout while Teaching in International Schools within Southeast Asia: A Phenomenological Study

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe and understand American expatriates’ perceptions of their lived experiences with burnout and stress while teaching in international schools in Southeast Asia. The theories guiding this study were Hans Selye’s (1951) theory of stress, as it explains the physiological stages of stress the body goes through, and Christine Maslach’s (1997) theory of burnout, which explains the factors associated with burnout. The present study was guided by five research questions, including a single central research question, to discover the participants’ lived experiences with stress and burnout. Four additional subquestions explored emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, decreased sense of personal accomplishment, and responses to stress in the workplace. The participants of this study were 11 American expatriates who have experienced stress and burnout in their past positions as international educators in Southeast Asia. Data collected for this study included Maslach’s Burnout Inventory for Educators (MBI-ES), individual interviews, a single focus group interview, and documents. Data were analyzed through bracketing and analysis to identify themes, and by synthesizing data to write thick, rich descriptions. The phenomenological data analysis revealed participants’ lived experiences with burnout and stress included frustration, feeling overwhelmed, and anxiety. Participants described how job expectations, workloads, and their own commitments to job performance affected them

Faces of Feminism in Early Twentieth Century Egypt

In the first half of the twentieth century, during Egypt\u27s liberal age, middle- and upper- class Egyptian women carved a place for themselves in the public sphere. For the first time, women publically demanded social and political rights that had been withheld in Egypt\u27s traditionally patriarchal society. Female figures emerged as leaders of the Egyptian women\u27s movement, and the media followed the actions of these leaders and attempted to glimpse parts of their private affairs. As pioneering feminists, they were the first generation of women to be publically scrutinized by the media. Although the feminist movement during this period was typically associated with a few upper-class women, feminist activism had a variety of manifestations, or faces. This thesis explores the lives of three of these faces of feminism: Huda Shaarawi, Doria Shafik, and Umm Kulthum. By using their personal memoirs and writings, newspaper articles, and a number of secondary sources, it attempts to reconstruct their individual lives and to discern the ways in which each woman handled constant public attention, particularly the degree to which they allowed the media access into their private lives. Although they came from different socioeconomic backgrounds and had varying feminist visions and strategies, regular public scrutiny impacted the line between their public endeavors and private affairs. The separation between public and private varied for each feminist: while Shaarawi and Shafik maintained a fluid boundary between public and private, allowing for the exposure of certain aspects of their private lives, Umm Kulthum attempted to harden the line between her public career and private life. Ultimately, each woman\u27s life presents a prism through which to discern the opportunities open for women during Egypt\u27s liberal age, as well as the challenges they faced. Shaarawi, Shafik, and Umm Kulthum represent different experiences within the women\u27s movement, and all three women contributed to the transformation of women\u27s roles in Egyptian society