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Acidophilic sulphate-reducing bacteria (aSRB) are widespread anaerobic microorganisms that perform dissimilatory sulphate reduction and have key adaptations to tolerate acidic environments (pH <5.0), such as proton impermeability and Donnan potential. This diverse prokaryotic group is of interest from physiological, ecological, and applicational viewpoints. In this review, we summarize the interactions between aSRB and other microbial guilds, such as syntrophy, and their roles in the biogeochemical cycling of sulphur, iron, carbon, and other elements. We discuss the biotechnological applications of aSRB in treating acid mine drainage (AMD, pH <3), focusing on their ability to produce biogenic sulphide and precipitate metals, particularly in the context of utilizing microbial consortia instead of pure isolates. Metal sulphide nanoparticles recovered after AMD treatment have multiple potential technological uses, including in electronics and biomedicine, contributing to a cost-effective circular economy. The products of aSRB metabolisms, such as biominerals and isotopes, could also serve as biosignatures to understand ancient and extant microbial life in the universe. Overall, aSRB are active components of the sulphur and carbon cycles under acidic conditions, with potential natural and technological implications for the world around us.
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Oxidación-Reducción , Sulfatos , Sulfatos/metabolismo , Bacterias/metabolismo , Bacterias/clasificación , Bacterias/genética , Bacterias/aislamiento & purificación , Biodiversidad , Bacterias Reductoras del Azufre/metabolismo , Bacterias Reductoras del Azufre/genética , Bacterias Reductoras del Azufre/clasificación , Concentración de Iones de Hidrógeno , Minería , Sulfuros/metabolismoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI) is an option for infections caused by MDR gram-negative bacilli. In this study, we aimed to analyze the in vitro antimicrobial activity of CAZ-AVI and other antimicrobial agents against gram-negative bacilli that were collected in Colombia between 2019 and 2021 from patients with bacteremia and skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs). METHODS: A total of 600 Enterobacterales and 259 P. aeruginosa strains were analyzed. The phenotypic resistance of isolates, particularly non-susceptibility to meropenem, multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates, and difficult-to-treat (DTR) P. aeruginosa, was evaluated according to CLSI breakpoints. RESULTS: Enterobacterales had the most susceptibility to CAZ-AVI (96.5 %) and tigecycline (95 %). Tigecycline and CAZ-AVI were the antimicrobial agents with the most in vitro activity against carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE). CAZ-AVI was the antimicrobial treatment with the most activity against P. aeruginosa. CONCLUSIONS: Tigecycline and CAZ-AVI were the antimicrobial agents with the most activity against CRE and MDR Enterobacterales. For P. aeruginosa, CAZ-AVI was the antimicrobial treatment with the most in vitro activity.
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Antibacterianos , Compuestos de Azabiciclo , Bacteriemia , Ceftazidima , Combinación de Medicamentos , Bacterias Gramnegativas , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Infecciones de los Tejidos Blandos , Tigeciclina , Humanos , Ceftazidima/farmacología , Infecciones de los Tejidos Blandos/microbiología , Infecciones de los Tejidos Blandos/tratamiento farmacológico , Colombia , Compuestos de Azabiciclo/farmacología , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Bacteriemia/microbiología , Bacteriemia/tratamiento farmacológico , Bacterias Gramnegativas/efectos de los fármacos , Tigeciclina/farmacología , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/efectos de los fármacos , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana Múltiple , Infecciones por Bacterias Gramnegativas/microbiología , Infecciones por Bacterias Gramnegativas/tratamiento farmacológico , Enterobacteriaceae/efectos de los fármacos , Enfermedades Cutáneas Bacterianas/microbiología , Enfermedades Cutáneas Bacterianas/tratamiento farmacológicoRESUMEN
Petroleum-based plastics dominate everyday life, necessitating the exploration of natural polymers as alternatives. Starch, abundant and biodegradable, is a promising raw material. However, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying starch plasticization has proven challenging. To address this, we employ molecular dynamics simulations, focusing on amylose as a model. Our comprehensive evaluation revealed that chain size affects solubility, temperature influenced diffusivity and elastic properties, and oleic acid expressed potential as an alternative plasticizer. Furthermore, blending glycerol or oleic acid with water suggested the enhancement amylose's elasticity. These findings contribute to the design of sustainable and improved biodegradable plastics.
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Plásticos Biodegradables , Almidón , Amilosa , Ácido Oléico , Glicerol , Simulación de Dinámica Molecular , PlásticosRESUMEN
Introduction: Gastric outlet obstruction or pyloric syndrome can occur secondary to neoplastic involvement, and metastasis as an etiology is unusual. Breast neoplasms generally cause bone, liver, and lung metastases, rarely involving the gastrointestinal tract. Case presentation: A 69-year-old female patient with infiltrating lobular carcinoma of the right breast consulted for abdominal pain and postprandial emetic episodes with oral intolerance and dyspnea. Bilateral neoplastic breast involvement and dilation of the gastric chamber with thickening of the pylorus were recorded. She required antiemetic management and placement of a nasogastric tube. She was taken to an upper digestive tract endoscopy, which found an ulcerated lesion with an infiltrative appearance at the postpyloric level that circumferentially compromised the duodenal lumen. Then, a biopsy was taken, which was compatible with a breast carcinoma of a lobular type. This entity, called pyloric syndrome due to neoplasia, can be managed with gastrojejunostomy or an enteral prosthesis that improves the quality of life of patients with an ominous short-term prognosis. The patient in our case expressed advance directives not to receive invasive procedures, for which an uncovered metal prosthesis was placed for palliative purposes, achieving the re-establishment of the feeding route and resolution of dyspnea due to restriction. Conclusions: The metastatic involvement of neoplasms of the breast to the gastrointestinal tract is rare; however, it should be suspected in elderly patients with previously documented neoplasms.
Introducción: La obstrucción al tracto de salida gástrico o síndrome pilórico puede presentarse de manera secundaria a compromiso neoplásico, y es inusual el compromiso metastásico como etiología. Las neoplasias de la mama generalmente originan metástasis óseas, hepáticas y pulmonares, y es infrecuente el compromiso del tracto digestivo. Presentación del caso: Se trata de una paciente de 69 años con carcinoma lobulillar infiltrante de mama derecha que consultó por dolor abdominal y episodios eméticos posprandiales con intolerancia a la vía oral y disnea. Se registró un compromiso neoplásico mamario bilateral y dilatación de la cámara gástrica con engrosamiento del píloro. Se dio manejo antiemético y colocación de sonda nasogástrica. Fue llevada a una endoscopia de vías digestivas altas en la que se encontró una lesión ulcerada de aspecto infiltrativo a nivel pospilórico que comprometía de forma circunferencial la luz duodenal, y luego se tomó una biopsia a este nivel, que fue compatible con un carcinoma mamario de tipo lobulillar. Esta entidad, denominada síndrome pilórico por neoplasias, puede manejarse con gastroyeyunostomía o con prótesis enteral que mejore la calidad de vida en pacientes con pronóstico ominoso a corto plazo. La paciente de nuestro caso manifestó voluntades anticipadas para no recibir procedimientos invasivos, por lo cual se ofreció la colocación de una prótesis metálica descubierta con fines paliativos y se logró el restablecimiento de la vía de alimentación y resolución de la disnea por restricción. Conclusiones: El compromiso metastásico de neoplasias de la mama al tracto digestivo es poco frecuente; sin embargo, debe sospecharse en pacientes de edad avanzada y con neoplasias previamente documentadas.
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This topic review aims to present a global vision of multilevel analysis models' applicability to health research, explaining its theoretical, methodological, and statistical foundations. We describe the basic steps to build these models and examples of their application according to the data hierarchical structure. It ir worth noticing that before using these models, researchers must have a rationale for needing them, and a statistical evaluation accounting for the variance percentage explained by the observations grouping effect. The requirements to conduct this type of analysis depends on special conditions such as the type of variables, the number of units per level, or the type of hierarchical structure. We conclude that multilevel analysis models are a useful tool to integrate information, considering the complexity of the relationships and interactions involved in most health conditions, including the loss of independence between observation units.
Este trabajo tiene como objetivo presentar una mirada global de la aplicabilidad de los modelos de análisis multinivel en el ámbito de la investigación sanitaria. Ofrece información sobre los fundamentos teóricos, metodológicos y estadísticos y, además, menciona los pasos básicos para la construcción de estos modelos, y da ejemplos de su uso, según la estructura jerárquica de los datos. Cabe resaltar que, antes de utilizar estos modelos, se requiere contar con un soporte teórico sobre la necesidad de uso y una valoración estadística que dé cuenta del porcentaje de varianza explicada por el efecto de agrupación de las observaciones. Los requisitos para llevar a cabo este tipo de análisis dependen de condiciones especiales como el tipo de variables, la cantidad de unidades por nivel o el tipo de estructura jerárquica. Se concluye que los modelos de análisis multinivel son una herramienta útil para lograr la integración de información, dadas la complejidad de las relaciones y las interacciones que determinan la mayoría de las condiciones de salud, incluida la pérdida de independencia entre las unidades de observación.
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Perchlorate has been described as an emerging pollutant that compromises water sources and human health. In this study, a new electrotrophic perchlorate reducing microorganism (EPRM) isolated from the Atacama Desert, Dechloromonas sp. CS-1, was evaluated for perchlorate removal in water in a bioelectrochemical reactor (BER) with a chemically modified electrode. BERs were operated for 17 days under batch mode conditions with an applied potential of -500 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. Surface analysis (i.e., SEM, XPS, FT-IR, RAMAN spectroscopy) on the modified electrode demonstrated heterogeneous transformation of the carbon fibers with the incorporation of nitrogen functional groups and the oxidation of the carbonaceous material. The BERs with the modified electrode and the presence of the EAM reached high cathodic efficiency (90.79 ± 9.157%) and removal rate (0.34 ± 0.007 mol m-3-day) compared with both control conditions. The observed catalytic enhancement of CS-1 was confirmed by a reduction in the charge transfer resistance obtained by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Finally, an electrochemical kinetic study revealed an eight-electron perchlorate bioreduction reaction at -638.33 ± 24.132 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. Therefore, our results show the synergistic effect of EPRM and chemically modified electrodes on perchlorate removal in a BER.
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Nitrógeno , Percloratos , Humanos , Espectroscopía Infrarroja por Transformada de Fourier , Nitrógeno/metabolismo , Electrodos , Oxidación-ReducciónRESUMEN
Introduction: Happiness is understood as the perception of subjective well-being, it can be a quality, a result, or a state characterized by well-being or satisfaction that every person wants to achieve. In older adults, this satisfaction is a sum of lifelong achievements and triumphs; However, some factors influence this ideal. Objective: Analyze demographic, family, social, personal, and health factors associated with the subjective perception of happiness in older adults, using data from a study conducted in five cities in Colombia, in order to make a theoretical contribution in the search for improvement of their physical, mental and social health. Materials and methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional, analytical study was carried out, using primary source information, obtained with 2,506 surveys from voluntary participants aged 60 and over, who had no cognitive impairment, and who reside in urban areas but not in long-term centers. The variable happiness (classified as high or moderate/low) was used for: (1) A univariate explorative characterization of older adult, (2) a bivariate estimation of the relationships with the factors studied, and (3) a multivariate construction of profiles through multiple correspondences. Results: 67.2% reported high happiness levels, with differences by city: Bucaramanga (81.6%), Pereira (74.7%), Santa Marta (67.4), Medellín (64%), and Pereira (48.7%). Happiness was explained by the absence of risk of depression and little hopelessness, strengthened psychological well-being, a perception of high quality of life, and living in a functional family. Conclusion: This study provided an overview of possible factors that can be enhanced and strengthened with public policies (structural determinant), community empowerment, family strengthening (intermediate determinant), and educational programs (proximal determinant). These aspects are included in the essential functions of public health, in favor of mental and social health in older adults.
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Municipal and industrial wastewater discharges in coastal and marine environments are of major concern due to their high carbon and nitrogen loads and the resulted phenomenon of eutrophication. Bioelectrochemical reactors (BERs) for simultaneous nitrogen and carbon removal have gained attention owing to their cost efficiency and versatility, as well as the possibility of electrochemical enrich specific groups. This study presented a scalable two-chamber BERs using graphite granules as electrode material. BERs were inoculated and operated for 37 days using natural seawater with high concentrations of ammonium and acetate. The BERs demonstrated a maximum current density of 0.9 A m-3 and removal rates of 7.5 mg NH4+-N L-1 d-1 and 99.5 mg L-1 d-1 for total organic carbon (TOC). Removals observed for NH4+-N and TOC were 96.2% and 68.7%, respectively. The results of nutrient removal (i.e., ammonium, nitrate, nitrite and TOC) and microbial characterization (i.e., next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and fluorescence in situ hybridization) showed that BERs operated with a poised cathode at -260 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) significantly enriched nitrifying microorganisms in the anode and denitrifying microorganisms and planctomycetes in the cathode. Interestingly, the electrochemical enrichment did not increase the total number of microorganisms in the formed biofilms but controlled their composition. Thus, this work shows the first successful attempt to electrochemically enrich marine nitrifying and denitrifying microorganisms and presents a technique to accelerate the start-up process of BERs to remove dissolved inorganic nitrogen and total organic carbon from seawater.
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Compuestos de Amonio , Grafito , Nitrógeno/química , Desnitrificación , Nitrificación , Aguas Residuales , Carbono , Nitratos , Reactores Biológicos , ARN Ribosómico 16S , Nitritos , Hibridación Fluorescente in Situ , Agua de MarRESUMEN
This study evaluated the electrochemical capacity of four perchlorate-reducing microorganisms (PRMs) isolated from an Altiplanic Andean watershed naturally pressured with perchlorate. Three-electrode electrochemical cells were used to test the electrochemical activity of the obtained isolates. Electrochemical evaluation (i.e., cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, chronoamperometry) revealed that two isolates identified as Dechloromonas sp. CS-1 and Clostridioides sp. CS-2 are electrochemically active PRMs. Bacterial isolates exhibiting cathodic peaks at -651 mV and -303 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) for CS-1 and CS-2, respectively. Electrotrophic perchlorate removal was demonstrated by a 6-days chronoamperometry with removal rates of 27 and 17 mg L-1 day-1 and cathodic efficiencies of 93% and 45%, for CS-1 and CS-2, respectively. Chemical and electrochemical results suggest two different mechanisms of electrotrophic perchlorate removal, a complete eight-electron bio-reduction (i.e., perchlorate to chloride) for CS-1 and a partial two-electron bio-reduction (i.e., perchlorate to chlorate) for CS-2. The observed differences could be linked to their enzymatic differences, as in their membrane compositions. Thus, the results of this work increase the limited number of known electrotrophic microorganisms and expand the application of bioelectrochemical systems to develop new perchlorate treatment and remediation technologies.
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Bioprospección , Percloratos , Electrodos , Electrones , Oxidación-ReducciónRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) often have keratopathy. However, the compromise of the corneal endothelium in type 1 DM (T1DM) and type 2 DM (T2DM) has so far not been well characterized. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search to find articles on humans combining T1DM and/or T2DM and the corneal endothelium. The period was from inception to June 2020. The meta-regression evaluated the role of each type of DM on corneal endothelial cell density (CED) and pachymetry. The statistical models included age as a modulator to discriminate between the normal changes due to age and the effect of the disease and to determine the impact of the disease duration. RESULTS: The initial search identified 752 records, of which 17 were included in the meta-regression. Patients with T1DM had, on average, 193 cells/mm 2 lesser than control patients ( P < 0.00001). Patients with T2DM had 151 cells/mm 2 less compared with control patients ( P < 0.00001). The loss of corneal endothelial cells was expected because the aging was similar in patients with T1DM and T2DM and their control groups. Patients with T1DM and T2DM showed an increase in pachymetry versus control patients, and in both groups, it was associated with the duration of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Both types of DM reduced CED and increased pachymetry. These differences were higher in patients with T1DM versus control patients than patients with T2DM versus control patients. In T1DM, CED reduction was not correlated with the time from diagnosis. In both groups, patients had CED reduction due to aging similar to that of their matched control patients.
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Enfermedades de la Córnea , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1 , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Enfermedades de la Córnea/complicaciones , Enfermedades de la Córnea/diagnóstico , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/complicaciones , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/complicaciones , Células Endoteliales , Endotelio Corneal , HumanosRESUMEN
Resumen Introducción. La Brucelosis bovina, es una enfermedad bacteriana e infecto contagiosa, causada por Brucella abortus. Se transmite a través de la ingestión de forrajes y aguas contaminadas con descargas vaginales infectadas, que conlleva a una patología del sistema reproductor en bovinos, que impactan la sanidad pecuaria y la economía de la agroindustria. Objetivo. Evaluar el comportamiento de la brucelosis bovina en el municipio de Aguazul, Casanare (Colombia) y los factores asociados al desarrollo de esta enfermedad. Metodología. Estudio descritptivo de 26.187 muestras de suero sanguíneo de ganado bovino evaluadas, que corresponden a 260 predios del municipio de Aguazul. Se empleó técnicas serológicascomo rosa de bengala, fluorescencia polarizada y ELISA competitiva para la evaluación de positividad a Brucella abortus y se evaluaron las pérdidas económicas asociadas a positividad en los ensayos de laboratorio. Resultados y conclusiones. La positividad a brucelosis bovina correspondió al 1%, que corresponde a hembras menores de 24 meses de edad y entre 37 a 48 meses y, machos entre los 57 a 68 meses de edad. Se sugiere consolidar esfuerzos en investigación para evaluar los factores que contribuyen a la seropositividad en el ganado y el riesgo para la propagación y mantenimiento de la enfermedad.
Abstract Introduction. Bovine brucellosis is a contagious bacterial and infectious disease caused by Brucella abortus. It is transmitted through the ingestion of forage and water contaminatedwith infected vaginal discharges, which leads to a pathology of the reproductive system inbovines, which impacts livestock health and the economy of agribusiness. Aim. To evaluatethe behavior of bovine brucellosis in the municipality of Aguazul, Casanare (Colombia) and the factors associated with the development of this disease. Methodology. Descriptive study of 26,187 bovine blood serum samples evaluated, corresponding to 260 farms in the municipality of Aguazul. Serological techniques such as rose bengal, polarized fluorescence, and competitive ELISA were used to evaluate positivity to Brucella abortus and the economic losses associated with positivity in laboratory tests were evaluated. Results and conclusions. The positivity to bovine brucellosis corresponded to 1%, which corresponds to females under 24 months of age and between 37 to 48 months and males between 57 to 68 months of age. It is suggested to consolidate research efforts to evaluate the factors that contribute to seropositivity in cattle and the risk for the spread and maintenance of the disease
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Humanos , Animales , Bovinos , Brucelosis Bovina , Brucella abortus , Enfermedades Transmisibles , AgroindustriaRESUMEN
La diabetes mellitus es considerada como una de las enfermedades crónicas más alarmantes del siglo XXI. De no ser tratada correctamente, los pacientes pueden presentar daños en distintos órganos, entre ellos, los ojos. Un reciente estudio de la Universidad del Rosario encontró que la córnea, además de la retina, también se deteriora en los casos de diabetes, y en los pacientes con el Tipo 1 se lesiona más rápido que en los pacientes con el Tipo 2.
Diabetes mellitus is considered one of the most alarming chronic diseases of the 21st century. If not treated correctly, patients may present damage to different organs, including the eyes. A recent study from the Universidad del Rosario found that the cornea, in addition to the retina, also deteriorates in cases of diabetes, and in patients with Type 1 it is damaged faster than in patients with Type 2.
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HumanosRESUMEN
Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus development and is characterized by an abnormal expansion of adipose tissue and low-grade chronic inflammation that contribute to insulin resistance. Although there are multiple treatments, most therapies can produce undesirable side effects and therefore, new and effective treatments with fewer side effects are necessary. Previously, we demonstrated that a natural extract from the leaves of Eucalyptus tereticornis (OBE100) has anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities. The major compounds identified in OBE100 were three pentacyclic triterpenoids, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and ursolic acid lactone. Triterpenoids have shown multiples biological activities. This current study compared the biological effect produced by OBE100 with five different reconstituted mixtures of these triterpenoids. Different cell lines were used to evaluate cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species production, inflammatory cytokine expression, glucose uptake induction, leptin and adiponectin expression, and lipid accumulation. OBE100 treatment was the most efficacious and none of the formulated triterpenoid mixtures significantly improved on this. Moreover, OBE100 was less toxic and reduced reactive oxygen species production. Our study showed that the proven beneficial properties of triterpenoids may be enhanced due to the interaction with minor secondary metabolites present in the natural extract improving their anti-inflammatory properties.
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Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Eucalyptus , Resistencia a la Insulina , Triterpenos , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Triterpenos/farmacologíaRESUMEN
Not applicable.
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COVID-19 , Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso , Humanos , SARS-CoV-2 , SíndromeRESUMEN
Introducción: Las infecciones urinarias nosocomiales constituyen una complicación frecuente e importante problema de salud debido complicaciones y recidivas frecuentes. Se pretende identificar los microorganismos implicados en las infecciones urinarias nosocomiales, su relación con el uso de sonda y estancia hospitalaria. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivoretrospectivo. Se revisaron bases de vigilancia epidemiológica restringiendo a infección de vías urinarias de origen hospitalario; se describieron las características generales y se exploraron diferencias entre los tiempos de estancia por microorganismo por Kluskal Wallis para un nivel de significancia del 95%. Resultados: Se encontraron 167 de infección de vías urinarias de origen hospitalario, la mediana de edad fue de 75 años; la mayoría de género femenino (58%), 34,1% asociadas al uso de sonda; 10% fallecieron en la hospitalización, la mayoría provenían de la unidad de cuidados intensivos adultos. El microorganismo más frecuentemente aislado fue Escherichia coli (46,1%); los pacientes aportaron una mediana de estancia de 20 días. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en los tiempos de estancia por microorganismo aislado en infección urinaria asociada a sonda, el microorganismo relacionado con los mayores tiempos de estancia fue Proteus mirabillis; el resto de diferencias no fueron significativas. Conclusiones: El microorganismo más frecuentemente aislado fue Escherichia coli, el Proteus mirabillis se encontró fue el más relacionado con uso sonda y tiempo de estancia, se requieren estudios adicionales para determinar asociaciones entre la estancia hospitalaria y fenotipos de resistencia, los protocolos de tratamiento empírico disponibles a la fecha, concuerdan los microorganismos aislados.
Introduction: The nosocomial urinary tract infections are a common complication and a major health problem due to complications and frequent recurrences. It aims to identify microorganisms involved in nosocomial urinary infections, their relationship with the use of probe and hospital stay. Materials & methods: A descriptive retrospective study. Surveillance bases restricting urinary tract infections hospital origins were reviewed; general characteristics were described and differences between the lengths of time of stay were screened by microorganism Kluskal Wallis for a significance level of 95%. Results: 167 urinary tract infections were found of hospital origin, the median age was found to be of 75; most females (58%), 34.1% associated with the use of probe; 10% died in the hospital, most came from the adult intensive care unit. The most frequently isolated microorganism was Escherichia coli (46.1%); patients contributed a median stay of 20 days. Significant differences in length of stay by microorganism isolated in catheter-associated urinary tract infection was found, the microorganism related to the greatest length of stay was Proteus mirabilis; the remaining differences were not significant. Conclusions: The most frequently isolated microorganism was Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis was found to be related to probe the use and length of stay, additional studies are required to determine associations between hospital stay and resistance phenotypes empirical treatment protocols available to the date, consistent microorganisms isolated.
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Humanos , Enfermedades Urogenitales Masculinas , Sistema de Transporte , InfeccionesRESUMEN
Obesity has a strong relationship to insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disease that alters many physiological functions. Naturally derived drugs have aroused great interest in treating obesity, and triterpenoids are natural compounds with multiple biological activities and antidiabetic mechanisms. Here, we evaluated the bioactivity of ursolic acid lactone (UAL), a lesser-known triterpenoid, obtained from Eucalyptus tereticornis. We used different cell lines to show for the first time that this molecule exhibits anti-inflammatory properties in a macrophage model, increases glucose uptake in insulin-resistant muscle cells, and reduces triglyceride content in hepatocytes and adipocytes. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, UAL inhibited the expression of genes involved in adipogenesis and lipogenesis, enhanced the expression of genes involved in fat oxidation, and increased AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation. The range of biological activities demonstrated in vitro indicates that UAL is a promising molecule for fighting diabetes.
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Eucalyptus/química , Lactonas/química , Lactonas/farmacología , Triterpenos/química , Células 3T3-L1 , Adipocitos/efectos de los fármacos , Adipocitos/metabolismo , Animales , Hepatocitos/efectos de los fármacos , Hepatocitos/metabolismo , Macrófagos , Ratones , Células Musculares/efectos de los fármacos , Fosforilación/efectos de los fármacos , Triglicéridos/metabolismo , Triterpenos/farmacología , Ácido UrsólicoRESUMEN
ETNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. (Eu) is a plant species used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes mellitus. Eu leaf extracts have been shown to regulate immuno-metabolic activities that are associated with obesity and insulin resistance. OBE100 and OBE104 are two natural Eu extracts that are rich in pentacyclic triterpenes. The major compounds identified in OBE100 are ursolic acid (UA), oleanolic acid (OA), and ursolic acid lactone (UAL), and the major compounds identified in OBE104 are UA and OA. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the effects of two extracts from Eu leaves with different triterpene composition in a nutritional animal model of prediabetes. METHODS: A mouse model of diet-induced obesity was used to analyze the effects of the OBE100 and OBE104 treatments on metabolic markers and gene expression in liver and visceral adipose tissue. RESULTS: Treating the prediabetic mouse model with OBE100 and OBE104 increased glucose tolerance. However, only the Eu extract that contained three triterpenes reduced mouse body weight, hepatic and adipose fat content, and plasma lipid levels. OBE100 treatment also led to decreased hepatic mRNA levels of PPARA, CPT1A, and SERBP1. In visceral adipose tissue, OBE100 treatment reduced expression of PPARA and ACACA and increased UCP1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that developing a new multitargeting bioactive compound from the natural extract from Eu may help combat obesity and diabetes. Treatment with OBE100 had better effects than OBE104 in a diet-induced obesity mouse model, suggesting that the OBE100 extract, which contains three triterpenes, may be beneficial in combating obesity.
Asunto(s)
Eucalyptus/química , Obesidad/tratamiento farmacológico , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Estado Prediabético/tratamiento farmacológico , Triterpenos/farmacología , Animales , Dieta , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Resistencia a la Insulina , Grasa Intraabdominal/efectos de los fármacos , Grasa Intraabdominal/metabolismo , Lípidos/sangre , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Obesidad/fisiopatología , Extractos Vegetales/química , Triterpenos/aislamiento & purificaciónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Allergic diseases are under-investigated and overlooked health conditions in developing countries. We measured the prevalence of food allergy (FA), airborne allergic disease, and allergic sensitisation among adolescents living in 2 socio-demographically disparate regions in Ecuador. We investigated which risk factors are associated with these conditions. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involved 1338 students (mean age: 13 ± 0.9 years old) living in Cuenca (n = 876) and Santa Isabel (n = 462). History of allergic symptoms (noted by parents or doctor) to food, house dust mites (HDM), pollen, and pets were recorded. Sociodemographic characteristics, environmental exposures, and parental history of allergic disorders data were collected. Sensitisation to 19 food and 20 aeroallergens was measured by skin-prick testing (SPT). FA and airborne allergic diseases (to HDM, pollen, cat, or dog) were defined as a report of allergic symptoms noted by doctor, together with a positive SPT (wheal size ≥3 mm). Logistic regression models were used to identify environmental and parental factors associated with allergic conditions. RESULTS: FA was prevalent among 0.4% (95% CI 0.2%-0.9%), and food sensitisation among 19.1% of the adolescents. Shrimp was the most frequent food linked with FA and food sensitisation. Risk factors associated with FA could not be evaluated due to the low prevalence. Food sensitisation was higher among adolescents exposed to family smoking (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.14-2.34, p = 0.008) and those with parental history of allergic disorders (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.13-2.49, p = 0.01), but less common among adolescents owning dogs (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.41-0.84, p = 0.003).Airborne allergic diseases were prevalent amongst 12.0% of the adolescents (95% CI: 10.4-13.9, n = 1321), with HDM as the primary allergen (11.2%). Airborne allergic diseases were less common among adolescents with more siblings (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.65-0.96, p = 0.02) and those who lived with farm animals in the first year of life (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.23-0.95, p = 0.04), but, most common among adolescents with a smoking family (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.04-2.70, p = 0.03) and with a parental history of allergic disorders (OR self-perceived: 2.62, 95% CI 1.46-4.71, p = 0.001; OR diagnosed by a doctor: 4.07, 95% CI 2.44-6.80, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: FA and airborne allergies are less prevalent in Ecuador than in developed regions; there is a great dissociation between the prevalence of allergic disease and allergic sensitisation. Shrimp and HDM were the most prevalent allergens. Risk factors identified in this study to be related to allergic diseases should be considered by physicians, health practitioners, and epidemiologists in Ecuador.
RESUMEN
Chlorate has been described as an emerging pollutant that compromises water sources. In this study, bioelectrochemical reactors (BERs) using Dechloromonas agitata CKB, were evaluated as a sustainable alternative for chlorate removal. BERs were operated under flow-recirculation and batch modes with an applied cell-voltage of 0.44 V over a resistance of 1 kΩ. Results show chlorate removal up to 607.288 mg/L. After 115 days, scanning electron microscopy showed biofilm development over the electrodes, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed the biocatalytic effect of CKB. The theoretical chlorate bioreduction potential (ε° = 0.792 V) was proven, and a kinetic study indicated that 6 electrons were involved in the reduction mechanism. Finally, a hypothetical bioelectrochemical mechanism for chlorate reduction in a BER was proposed. This research expands upon current knowledge of novel electrochemically active microorganisms and widens the scope of BER applications for chlorate removal.