Liposomes-in-chitosan hydrogel boosts potential of chlorhexidine in biofilm eradication in vitro

Successful treatment of skin infections requires eradication of biofilms found in up to 90 % of all chronic wounds, causing delayed healing and increased morbidity. We hypothesized that chitosan hydrogel boosts the activity of liposomally-associated membrane active antimicrobials (MAA) and could potentially improve bacterial and biofilm eradication. Therefore, liposomes (∼300 nm) bearing chlorhexidine (CHX; ∼50 μg/mg lipid) as a model MAA were incorporated into chitosan hydrogel. The novel CHX-liposomes-in-hydrogel formulation was optimized for skin therapy. It significantly inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage and almost completely reduced biofilm formation. Moreover, it reduced Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa adherent bacterial cells in biofilm by 64.2–98.1 %. Chitosan hydrogel boosted the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of CHX

A retrospective study after 10 years (2010–2019) of meat inspection activity in a domestic swine abattoir in tuscany: The slaughterhouse as an epidemiological observatory

Veterinarians belonging to the Health Authorities are responsible for the safety of food of animal origin. The control activities performed at the slaughterhouse comprise inspections before and after slaughtering to verify the health and welfare of the animals and the wholesomeness of the animal products. In this study, data deriving from ten years (2010-2019) of meat inspection activity in a pig slaughterhouse in Tuscany (Italy) were analyzed to investigate the frequencies of death during transport of whole carcass and partial condemnations and their causes. In total 1,246,309 pigs from 8 different regions of Central and Northern Italy were slaughtered. The mortality rate was found to be lower than the threshold internationally recommended to ensure animal welfare and in line with the mortality values reported at the European level. Overalls 372 carcasses were condemned mainly due to erysipelas, generalized jaundice, lipomatous pseudohypertrophy, generalized abscesses, acute or generalized enteritis, and peritonitis. As regards partial condemnations, liver, lungs, and kidney were the most frequently condemned organs. The results of this study describe a non-worrying situation as regards to the investigated aspects and confirm the slaughterhouse as a privileged observation point for monitoring the trend of the main diseases over time, the results of the efforts for their control, and also the compliance with animal welfare standards

Ventilación natural. Estimación de parámetros sobre modelos a escala utilizando equipamiento de bajo costo

El siguiente trabajo muestra experiencias realizadas sobre modelos a escala y pruebas con humo con el objetivo de desarrollar una metodología de aproximación al análisis de los movimientos de aire por los espacios interiores en sistemas expuestos a ventilación natural utilizando equipamientos de bajo costo. Se relata acerca de los equipos empleados, las pruebas realizadas y la estimación alcanzada en relación con la identificación de patrones de flujo, velocidades externas e internas y posibles caudales. Por último con las Conclusiones se discuten los resultados obtenidos.The following paper show experiences made over scale model building employing tracer gas with the propose to develop a methodological approach to the analysis of internal flow patterns in spaces exposed to natural ventilation using low cost equipment. It is described the equipment used, tests made, and the reached estimates related in relation with to the identification of flow patterns, external and internal airflow speeds and airflow rates. In the Conclusions put on discussion about the actual results.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Ventilación natural. Estimación de parámetros sobre modelos a escala utilizando equipamiento de bajo costo

El siguiente trabajo muestra experiencias realizadas sobre modelos a escala y pruebas con humo con el objetivo de desarrollar una metodología de aproximación al análisis de los movimientos de aire por los espacios interiores en sistemas expuestos a ventilación natural utilizando equipamientos de bajo costo. Se relata acerca de los equipos empleados, las pruebas realizadas y la estimación alcanzada en relación con la identificación de patrones de flujo, velocidades externas e internas y posibles caudales. Por último con las Conclusiones se discuten los resultados obtenidos.The following paper show experiences made over scale model building employing tracer gas with the propose to develop a methodological approach to the analysis of internal flow patterns in spaces exposed to natural ventilation using low cost equipment. It is described the equipment used, tests made, and the reached estimates related in relation with to the identification of flow patterns, external and internal airflow speeds and airflow rates. In the Conclusions put on discussion about the actual results.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Ventilación natural. Estimación de parámetros sobre modelos a escala utilizando equipamiento de bajo costo

El siguiente trabajo muestra experiencias realizadas sobre modelos a escala y pruebas con humo con el objetivo de desarrollar una metodología de aproximación al análisis de los movimientos de aire por los espacios interiores en sistemas expuestos a ventilación natural utilizando equipamientos de bajo costo. Se relata acerca de los equipos empleados, las pruebas realizadas y la estimación alcanzada en relación con la identificación de patrones de flujo, velocidades externas e internas y posibles caudales. Por último con las Conclusiones se discuten los resultados obtenidos.The following paper show experiences made over scale model building employing tracer gas with the propose to develop a methodological approach to the analysis of internal flow patterns in spaces exposed to natural ventilation using low cost equipment. It is described the equipment used, tests made, and the reached estimates related in relation with to the identification of flow patterns, external and internal airflow speeds and airflow rates. In the Conclusions put on discussion about the actual results.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Tailored anti-biofilm activity – Liposomal delivery for mimic of small antimicrobial peptide

The eradication of bacteria embedded in biofilms is among the most challenging obstacles in the management of chronic wounds. These biofilms are found in most chronic wounds; moreover, the biofilm-embedded bacteria are considerably less susceptible to conventional antimicrobial treatment than the planktonic bacteria. Antimicrobial peptides and their mimics are considered attractive candidates in the pursuit of novel therapeutic options for the treatment of chronic wounds and general bacterial eradication. However, some limitations linked to these membrane-active antimicrobials are making their clinical use challenging. Novel innovative delivery systems addressing these limitations represent a smart solution. We hypothesized that incorporation of a novel synthetic mimic of an antimicrobial peptide in liposomes could improve its anti-biofilm effect as well as the anti-inflammatory activity. The small synthetic mimic of an antimicrobial peptide, 7e-SMAMP, was incorporated into liposomes (~280 nm) tailored for skin wounds and evaluated for its potential activity against both biofilm formation and eradication of pre-formed biofilms. The 7e-SMAMP-liposomes significantly lowered inflammatory response in murine macrophages (~30 % reduction) without affecting the viability of macrophages or keratinocytes. Importantly, the 7e-SMAMP-liposomes completely eradicated biofilms produced by Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli above concentrations of 6.25 μg/mL, whereas in Pseudomonas aeruginosa the eradication reached 75 % at the same concentration. Incorporation of 7e-SMAMP in liposomes improved both the inhibition of biofilm formation as well as biofilm eradication in vitro, as compared to non-formulated antimicrobial, therefore confirming its potential as a novel therapeutic option for bacteria-infected chronic wounds

Evaluación energética de las primeras mejoras constructivas realizadas sobre un laboratorio de la Universidad Nacional de Luján–UNLU

Un recinto constituido por un único espacio dentro de la Universidad de Luján es convertido en prototipo experimental por el grupo de trabajo. Interesa de este lugar su posición exenta en relación con el resto de los edificios, sus características constructivas y el mal comportamiento térmico frente al clima del verano, donde las altas temperaturas internas convierten al lugar en inhabitable. Con el objetivo de acumular experiencia que sea aplicable a viviendas económicas con comportamientos similares, se propone realizar una serie de mejoras sucesivas de bajo costo que puedan ser evaluadas en sus resultados en forma paulatina. Para ello se parte de las mediciones y balances realizados sobre el prototipo en su versión original y se comparan resultados con las mismas mediciones y balances hechos una vez concretada la primera etapa de las mejoras previstas. De todo ello se muestra la metodología empleada, los resultados obtenidos y se sacan conclusiones.A building constituted by one single zone, located into the University of Luján is turned an experimental prototype by the work group. It's interesting of this place his particular location without relationship with the rest of the buildings, its constructive characteristics and very poor thermal behavior on summer weather, where the high internal temperatures turn the place inhabitable. With the intention of accumulate experience useful for economic houses with similar behaviors; we set out a series of successive low cost improvements, suitable to be evaluated by their results in gradual way. We start with measurements and balances made on the prototype in its original version and then compare results with the same measurements and balances done after the first stage of the predicted improvements. Of all the proceeding, we show the methodology used, the results obtained and the conclusions.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Evaluación energética de las primeras mejoras constructivas realizadas sobre un laboratorio de la Universidad Nacional de Luján–UNLU

Un recinto constituido por un único espacio dentro de la Universidad de Luján es convertido en prototipo experimental por el grupo de trabajo. Interesa de este lugar su posición exenta en relación con el resto de los edificios, sus características constructivas y el mal comportamiento térmico frente al clima del verano, donde las altas temperaturas internas convierten al lugar en inhabitable. Con el objetivo de acumular experiencia que sea aplicable a viviendas económicas con comportamientos similares, se propone realizar una serie de mejoras sucesivas de bajo costo que puedan ser evaluadas en sus resultados en forma paulatina. Para ello se parte de las mediciones y balances realizados sobre el prototipo en su versión original y se comparan resultados con las mismas mediciones y balances hechos una vez concretada la primera etapa de las mejoras previstas. De todo ello se muestra la metodología empleada, los resultados obtenidos y se sacan conclusiones.A building constituted by one single zone, located into the University of Luján is turned an experimental prototype by the work group. It's interesting of this place his particular location without relationship with the rest of the buildings, its constructive characteristics and very poor thermal behavior on summer weather, where the high internal temperatures turn the place inhabitable. With the intention of accumulate experience useful for economic houses with similar behaviors; we set out a series of successive low cost improvements, suitable to be evaluated by their results in gradual way. We start with measurements and balances made on the prototype in its original version and then compare results with the same measurements and balances done after the first stage of the predicted improvements. Of all the proceeding, we show the methodology used, the results obtained and the conclusions.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Evaluación energética de las primeras mejoras constructivas realizadas sobre un laboratorio de la Universidad Nacional de Luján–UNLU

Un recinto constituido por un único espacio dentro de la Universidad de Luján es convertido en prototipo experimental por el grupo de trabajo. Interesa de este lugar su posición exenta en relación con el resto de los edificios, sus características constructivas y el mal comportamiento térmico frente al clima del verano, donde las altas temperaturas internas convierten al lugar en inhabitable. Con el objetivo de acumular experiencia que sea aplicable a viviendas económicas con comportamientos similares, se propone realizar una serie de mejoras sucesivas de bajo costo que puedan ser evaluadas en sus resultados en forma paulatina. Para ello se parte de las mediciones y balances realizados sobre el prototipo en su versión original y se comparan resultados con las mismas mediciones y balances hechos una vez concretada la primera etapa de las mejoras previstas. De todo ello se muestra la metodología empleada, los resultados obtenidos y se sacan conclusiones.A building constituted by one single zone, located into the University of Luján is turned an experimental prototype by the work group. It's interesting of this place his particular location without relationship with the rest of the buildings, its constructive characteristics and very poor thermal behavior on summer weather, where the high internal temperatures turn the place inhabitable. With the intention of accumulate experience useful for economic houses with similar behaviors; we set out a series of successive low cost improvements, suitable to be evaluated by their results in gradual way. We start with measurements and balances made on the prototype in its original version and then compare results with the same measurements and balances done after the first stage of the predicted improvements. Of all the proceeding, we show the methodology used, the results obtained and the conclusions.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES