Virulence and antimicrobial resistance determinants of verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) and of ESBL-producing multidrug resistant E. coli from foods of animal origin illegally imported to Europe

Microbial risk due to illegal food import has not been investigated so far. Here we aimed to reveal frequency, phenotype and genotype of verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) and ESBL-producing multidrug resistant (MDR) E. coli isolated from foods of animal origin confiscated at the EU airport borders. Of the 1500 food samples confiscated at the airports of Austria, Germany and Slovenia, the most frequent were cheese and meat products primarily from Turkey and from Balkan countries. The VTEC bacteria were isolated using ISO 16654:2001 for O157 and Ridascreen® ELISA based PCR testing of stx genes or ISO/ TS13136 for non-O157 VTEC, resulting in 15 isolates of VTEC (1%). In addition 600 samples from the Vienna airport were also tested for ESBL-producing MDR E. coli, using cefotaxime-McConkey agar. We identified 14 E. coli strains as ESBL/MDR E. coli. (0,9%) for phenotyping for antimicrobial resistance and for genotypiing by microarray (Identibac®,AMR05). The 15 VTEC isolates were phenotyped as Stx toxin producing non-O157 strain. Only one isolate, from Turkish cheese, proved to be EHEC (O26:H46). The remaining 14 strains represent uncommon VTEC serotypes with stx1 and/or stx2 genes. Microarray analysis (Identibac®, Ec03) revealed a wide range of other non-LEE encoding virulence genes. Pulsed field electrophoresis (PFGE) showed high genetic diversity of the strains. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) established three new ST types (ST4505, 4506 and 4507) in the MLST database, and indicated the existence of 5 small clusters with no relation to origin or serotype/genotype of the strains, but representing several human-related ST types. All VTEC isolates were sensitive to 18 antimicrobials relevant to human and/or animal health, and did not contain resistance genes. ESB/MDR E. coli were resistant to at least 3 classes of antimicrobials. Microarray analysis detected TEM-1 in all but one strain and a variety of genes encoding resistances to other ESBLs (CTXM-1, OXA-1), trimethromprim, tetracycline, aminoglycosides and class1/class2 integrons (8/14 isolates). E.coli virulence microarray detected 2-6 virulence genes in all but one MDR E. coli, and one of the strains qualified as an atypical EPEC . Even though the frequency and attributes of isolated VTEC and ESBL/MDR E. coli did not represent an immediate major risk through illegal food import for the countries involved, it is suggested that the unusual serovars of VTEC as well as the virulence and antimicrobial resistance determinants of ESBL/MDR E. coli detected here, may indicate a future emerging threat by strains in illegally imported foods. Acknowledgement is due to: EU FP7 PROMISE (Grant No: 265877), to Dr. Mária Herpay, National Institute for Epidemiology, Budapest

Fast-timing measurements in the ground-state band of Pd114

Using a hybrid Gammasphere array coupled to 25 LaBr3(Ce) detectors, the lifetimes of the first three levels of the yrast band in Pd-114, populated via Cf-252 decay, have been measured. The measured lifetimes are tau(2+) = 103(10) ps, tau(4+) = 22(13) ps, and tau(6+) <= 10 ps for the 2(1)(+), 4(1)(+), and 6(1)(+) levels, respectively. Palladium-114 was predicted to be the most deformed isotope of its isotopic chain, and spectroscopic studies have suggested it might also be a candidate nucleus for low-spin stable triaxiality. From the lifetimes measured in this work, reduced transition probabilities B(E2; J -> J - 2) are calculated and compared with interacting boson model, projected shell model, and collective model calculations from the literature. The experimental ratio R-B(E2) = B(E2; 4(1)(+) -> 2(1)(+))/B(E2; 2(1)(+) -> 0(1)(+)) = 0.80(42) is measured for the first time in Pd-114 and compared with the known values R-B(E2) in the palladium isotopic chain: the systematics suggest that, for N = 68, a transition from gamma-unstable to a more rigid gamma-deformed nuclear shape occurs

O ler e o escrever na construção do conhecimento matemático no Ensino Médio

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo investigar a utilização de diferentes estratégias de Leitura e Escrita no ensino de Matemática do Ensino Médio, e de instrumentos nos quais os alunos externaram as suas percepções durante o processo de ensino e aprendizagem. Para tanto, realizou-se uma pesquisa qualitativa com análise interpretativa sobre as atividades e os instrumentos propostos, os quais foram organizados em um Portfólio. A formulação e a aplicação da pesquisa, bem como a análise dos resultados e as conclusões foram baseadas no enfoque histórico-cultural de Vigotski e estudos sobre a linguagem matemática e a utilização da Leitura e Escrita nas aulas de Matemática, de diversos pesquisadores. As categorias emergentes da análise dos dados foram: a construção do conhecimento matemático, a semântica dos termos matemáticos, os valores demonstrados pelos alunos e a potencialidade das atividades. Os resultados, considerando-se todas as categorias, indicam que o processo pode tornar a relação professor-aluno e aluno-aluno mais interativa e mais efetiva para a construção do conhecimento matemático

Cumulative Prognostic Score Predicting Mortality in Patients Older Than 80 Years Admitted to the ICU.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a scoring system model that predicts mortality within 30 days of admission of patients older than 80 years admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: A total of 306 ICUs from 24 European countries. PARTICIPANTS: Older adults admitted to European ICUs (N = 3730; median age = 84 years [interquartile range = 81-87 y]; 51.8% male). MEASUREMENTS: Overall, 24 variables available during ICU admission were included as potential predictive variables. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of 30-day mortality. Model sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were evaluated with receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: The 30-day-mortality was 1562 (41.9%). In multivariable analysis, these variables were selected as independent predictors of mortality: age, sex, ICU admission diagnosis, Clinical Frailty Scale, Sequential Organ Failure Score, invasive mechanical ventilation, and renal replacement therapy. The discrimination, accuracy, and calibration of the model were good: the area under the curve for a score of 10 or higher was .80, and the Brier score was .18. At a cut point of 10 or higher (75% of all patients), the model predicts 30-day mortality in 91.1% of all patients who die. CONCLUSION: A predictive model of cumulative events predicts 30-day mortality in patients older than 80 years admitted to ICUs. Future studies should include other potential predictor variables including functional status, presence of advance care plans, and assessment of each patient's decision-making capacity

Proteome sequence features carry signatures of the environmental niche of prokaryotes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Prokaryotic environmental adaptations occur at different levels within cells to ensure the preservation of genome integrity, proper protein folding and function as well as membrane fluidity. Although specific composition and structure of cellular components suitable for the variety of extreme conditions has already been postulated, a systematic study describing such adaptations has not yet been performed. We therefore explored whether the environmental niche of a prokaryote could be deduced from the sequence of its proteome. Finally, we aimed at finding the precise differences between proteome sequences of prokaryotes from different environments.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We analyzed the proteomes of 192 prokaryotes from different habitats. We collected detailed information about the optimal growth conditions of each microorganism. Furthermore, we selected 42 physico-chemical properties of amino acids and computed their values for each proteome. Further, on the same set of features we applied two fundamentally different machine learning methods, Support Vector Machines and Random Forests, to successfully classify between bacteria and archaea, halophiles and non-halophiles, as well as mesophiles, thermophiles and mesothermophiles. Finally, we performed feature selection by using Random Forests.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>To our knowledge, this is the first time that three different classification cases (domain of life, halophilicity and thermophilicity) of proteome adaptation are successfully performed with the same set of 42 features. The characteristic features of a specific adaptation constitute a signature that may help understanding the mechanisms of adaptation to extreme environments.</p

Allergic sensitization: screening methods

Experimental in silico, in vitro, and rodent models for screening and predicting protein sensitizing potential are discussed, including whether there is evidence of new sensitizations and allergies since the introduction of genetically modified crops in 1996, the importance of linear versus conformational epitopes, and protein families that become allergens. Some common challenges for predicting protein sensitization are addressed: (a) exposure routes; (b) frequency and dose of exposure; (c) dose-response relationships; (d) role of digestion, food processing, and the food matrix; (e) role of infection; (f) role of the gut microbiota; (g) influence of the structure and physicochemical properties of the protein; and (h) the genetic background and physiology of consumers. The consensus view is that sensitization screening models are not yet validated to definitively predict the de novo sensitizing potential of a novel protein. However, they would be extremely useful in the discovery and research phases of understanding the mechanisms of food allergy development, and may prove fruitful to provide information regarding potential allergenicity risk assessment of future products on a case by case basis. These data and findings were presented at a 2012 international symposium in Prague organized by the Protein Allergenicity Technical Committee of the International Life Sciences Institute’s Health and Environmental Sciences Institute

Relationship between the Clinical Frailty Scale and short-term mortality in patients ≥ 80 years old acutely admitted to the ICU: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) is frequently used to measure frailty in critically ill adults. There is wide variation in the approach to analysing the relationship between the CFS score and mortality after admission to the ICU. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of modelling approach on the association between the CFS score and short-term mortality and quantify the prognostic value of frailty in this context. METHODS: We analysed data from two multicentre prospective cohort studies which enrolled intensive care unit patients ≥ 80 years old in 26 countries. The primary outcome was mortality within 30-days from admission to the ICU. Logistic regression models for both ICU and 30-day mortality included the CFS score as either a categorical, continuous or dichotomous variable and were adjusted for patient's age, sex, reason for admission to the ICU, and admission Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score. RESULTS: The median age in the sample of 7487 consecutive patients was 84 years (IQR 81-87). The highest fraction of new prognostic information from frailty in the context of 30-day mortality was observed when the CFS score was treated as either a categorical variable using all original levels of frailty or a nonlinear continuous variable and was equal to 9% using these modelling approaches (p < 0.001). The relationship between the CFS score and mortality was nonlinear (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Knowledge about a patient's frailty status adds a substantial amount of new prognostic information at the moment of admission to the ICU. Arbitrary simplification of the CFS score into fewer groups than originally intended leads to a loss of information and should be avoided. Trial registration NCT03134807 (VIP1), NCT03370692 (VIP2)

Narrativas de Práticas Pedagógicas de Professoras que Ensinam Matemática na Educação Infantil

Este artigo identifica a produ&#231;&#227;o, o reconhecimento e a ressignifica&#231;&#227;o de conhecimentos metodol&#243;gicos e matem&#225;ticos que se revelaram nas narrativas orais e escritas de professoras da Educa&#231;&#227;o Infantil, quando reunidas em um grupo de estudo colaborativo sobre a Educa&#231;&#227;o Matem&#225;tica na inf&#226;ncia. Trata-se de uma pesquisa de cunho qualitativo que, pela an&#225;lise de conte&#250;do, evidenciou ind&#237;cios de desenvolvimento profissional manifestados pelas participantes do grupo em processo de forma&#231;&#227;o continuada. Identificaram-se, a partir das narrativas, as abordagens metodol&#243;gicas redimensionadas pelas professoras no processo de forma&#231;&#227;o no grupo; os conhecimentos matem&#225;ticos poss&#237;veis de trabalhar a partir de jogos; e os aspectos da aprendizagem colaborativa que ocorreu no grupo. Em s&#237;ntese, destaca-se que as narrativas reflexivas produzidas pelas professoras se revelaram como um elemento de reflex&#227;o e forma&#231;&#227;o docente, pois puderam tomar mais consci&#234;ncia de sua pr&#243;pria pr&#225;tica, refletir, avaliar e aprimorar seu trabalho pedag&#243;gico

Comparative Transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 Variants Delta and Alpha in New England, USA

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta variant quickly rose to dominance in mid-2021, displacing other variants, including Alpha. Studies using data from the United Kingdom and India estimated that Delta was 40-80% more transmissible than Alpha, allowing Delta to become the globally dominant variant. However, it was unclear if the ostensible difference in relative transmissibility was due mostly to innate properties of Delta\u27s infectiousness or differences in the study populations. To investigate, we formed a partnership with SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance programs from all six New England US states. By comparing logistic growth rates, we found that Delta emerged 37-163% faster than Alpha in early 2021 (37% Massachusetts, 75% New Hampshire, 95% Maine, 98% Rhode Island, 151% Connecticut, and 163% Vermont). We next computed variant-specific effective reproductive numbers and estimated that Delta was 58-120% more transmissible than Alpha across New England (58% New Hampshire, 68% Massachusetts, 76% Connecticut, 85% Rhode Island, 98% Maine, and 120% Vermont). Finally, using RT-PCR data, we estimated that Delta infections generate on average ∼6 times more viral RNA copies per mL than Alpha infections. Overall, our evidence indicates that Delta\u27s enhanced transmissibility could be attributed to its innate ability to increase infectiousness, but its epidemiological dynamics may vary depending on the underlying immunity and behavior of distinct populations