Interaction between atypical microorganisms and E. coli in catheter-associated urinary tract biofilms

Most biofilms involved in catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are polymicrobial, with disease causing (eg Escherichia coli) and atypical microorganisms (eg Delftia tsuruhatensis) frequently inhabiting the same catheter. Nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge about the role of atypical microorganisms. Here, single and dual-species biofilms consisting of E. coli and atypical bacteria (D. tsuruhatensis and Achromobacter xylosoxidans), were evaluated. All species were good biofilm producers (Log 5.84–7.25 CFU cm−2 at 192 h) in artificial urine. The ability of atypical species to form a biofilm appeared to be hampered by the presence of E. coli. Additionally, when E. coli was added to a pre-formed biofilm of the atypical species, it seemed to take advantage of the first colonizers to accelerate adhesion, even when added at lower concentrations. The results suggest a greater ability of E. coli to form biofilms in conditions mimicking the CAUTIs, whatever the pre-existing microbiota and the inoculum concentration.This work was supported by the Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT), DNA mimics Research Project [Ref. PIC/IC/82815/2007] from the FCT and MCTES; PhD Fellowship [SFRH/BD/82663/2011]; and Postdoctoral Fellowship [SFRH/BPD/74480/2010]. The authors would like to thank to M. Fenice M and A. Steinbuchel for kindly providing the Delftia tsuruhatensis BM90 and Achromobacter xylosoxidans B3 species, respectively

Cystic fibrosis – Comparison between patients in paediatric and adult age

AbstractCystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common autosomal recessive disease in Caucasians. Although most cases are diagnosed in childhood, diagnosis in adults is apparently increasing.ObjectiveEvaluate the adult population with CF, comparing patients who were diagnosed before and after 18 years of age.MethodsRetrospective analysis of patients followed in three main medical centres in Portugal in 2012. Comparison of two groups: G1 – patients diagnosed at <18 years and G2 – patients diagnosed at ≥18 years.Results89 adults were identified: 61.8% in G1, 38.2% in G2. Gender distribution was similar in both groups. Average age in G2 was higher (38.3±8.4 vs. 26.8±6.1 years, p<0.001). Respiratory symptoms most frequently led to CF diagnosis in all patients, mainly in adulthood. There was a greater percentage of patients homozygous for the mutation delF508 in G1 (43.6 vs. 8.8%, p=0.02). Respiratory and pancreatic function, and body mass index (BMI) showed a higher severity in G1 (G1 vs. G2: FEV1: 54.6±27.3 vs. 29.9±64.6%, p=0.177; pancreatic insufficiency 72.7 vs. 26.5%, p<0.001; BMI 20.2±3.4 vs. 22.2±4.8, p=0.018). Pseudomonas aeruginosa and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus were the most frequently isolated microorganisms. Lung transplantation rate was higher in G2 (20.6 vs. 10.9%, p=0.231) while mortality rate was higher in G1 (0 vs. 3.6%, p=0.261). Hospital admission rate was higher in G1 as well as mortality rate.ConclusionThe results suggest that patients with CF diagnosed in childhood have characteristics that distinguish them from those diagnosed in adulthood, and these differences may have implications for diagnosis, prognosis and life expectancy

Púrpura de Henoch-Schönlein Associada a Adenocarcinoma do Pulmão

Introduction: The Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is an immunoglobulin A (IgA)-mediated smallvessel systemic vasculitis, rare in adults. The association with solid tumours has been described, especially with lung cancer. Case Report: We present the case of a 60-year-old Caucasian male, diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma that underwent surgical resection without (neo)adjuvant theraphy. Two months latter he was admitted for abdominal pain, purpuric rash on his lower extremities and acute kidney injury, with serum creatinine (Scr) of 2 mg/dl. Urinalysis revealed haematuria and 24h proteinuria (P24h) of 1.5 g. The serum protein electrophoresis, complement components C3 and C4, circulating immune complexes, cryoglobulins, ANCA, ANA, anti-dsDNA and the remaining immunologic study as screening for viral infections (HCV, HBV and HIV) were negative. Renal ultrasound was normal and kidney biopsy revealed mild mesangial proliferation; 2 cellular glomerular crescents and 1 fibrinoid necrosis lesion; large amounts of red blood cell casts; lymphocytic infiltration in the intertubular interstitial capillaries; moderate arteriolar hyalinosis. Immunofluorescence demonstrated mesangial and parietal deposits of IgA. The diagnosis of HSP was assumed, and the patient started prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day. Ten months after diagnosis the patient’s baseline Scr is 1.4 mg/dl with P24h of 0.18g, without haematuria. Conclusion: Although this is a rare association and the exact mechanism behind the disease is yet unknown, physicians should be aware of it. The early recognition and treatment may prevent renal disease progression

Regeneration of Carapa guianensis (Aublet.) seedings in two forest types in Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil.

Extractive use of Carapa guianensis (andiroba), a multi-use species, provides an alternative for sustainable resource use. The objective of this study was to investigate the mortality of seedlings and saplings of Carapa guianensis, comparing two forest types (upland and occasionally inundated forest) at Embrapa’s experimental forest reserve in Acre, Brazil

Quadrados mínimos parciais uni e multivariado aplicados na seleção genômica para características de carcaça em suínos.

A principal contribuição da genética molecular é a utilização direta das informações de DNA no processo de identifi cação de indivíduos geneticamente superiores. Sob esse enfoque, idealizou-se a seleção genômica ampla (Genome Wide Selection - GWS), a qual consiste na análise de marcadores SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) amplamente distribuídos no genoma. Devido a esse grande número de SNPs, geralmente maior que o número de indivíduos genotipados, e à alta colinearidade entre eles, métodos de redução de dimensionalidade são requeridos. Dentre estes, destaca-se o método de regressão via Quadrados Mínimos Parciais (Partial Least Squares - PLS), que além de solucionar tais problemas, permite uma abordagem multivariada, considerando múltiplos fenótipos. Diante do exposto, objetivouse aplicar e comparar a regressão PLS univariada (UPLS) e multivariada (MPLS) na GWS para características de carcaça em uma população F2 de suínos Piau×Comercial. Os resultados evidenciaram a superioridade do método MPLS, uma vez que este proporcionou maiores valores de acurácia em relação à abordagem univariada

Nefrite Túbulo-Intersticial Hipocomplementémica Idiopática

Background: Tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) is a common cause of kidney injury typically seen in association with drug exposure, infection or autoimmune diseases. However, TIN with interstitial immune complex deposition, without glomerular injury, is rarely observed. Case: We report a case of a 64-yearold Indian woman admitted for dialysis-requiring renal failure, without involvement of other organs. Urinalysis showed blood 3+ and 24h proteinuria of 1.5 g. Renal ultrasound revealed normal sized kidneys with loss of parenchymal-sinus differentiation. Laboratory tests disclosed low C3, positive ANA but negative anti-dsDNA, SSA and SSB. Serum protein electrophoresis was normal. The renal biopsy showed tubulointerstitial nephritis with positive immunoglobulin staining involving the interstitium and tubular basement membrane with glomerular sparing. The patient started prednisolone (1mg/kg/day) without recovery of the renal function. Conclusion: Idiopathic hypocomplementaemic tubulointerstitial nephritis is a rare disease with few cases described in the literature. To our knowledge this is the first case reported in Portugal

Digestibilidade "in situ" da matéria seca da silagem de capim elefante (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum) com diferentes níveis de cunha (Clitoria ternatea, L).

Para as condições em que este trabalho foi conduzido, pode-se concluir que, A degradabilidade da matéria seca de todas as silagens foi em media 67,76%, caracterizando silagens de bom valor nutritivo

Fuel cell and hydrogen storage development for a wheel chair

In this paper are presented, the recent advances of a demonstration project that focuses on the implementation of a hybrid system for a wheel chair incorporating a fuel cell and a metal hydride hydrogen storage system. Advantages regarding weight reduction and greater autonomy are emphasized, apart from the use of clean energy and the drastic reduction in charging time, when compared with the system before conversion