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BACKGROUND: Surgical management of congenital heart disease (CHD) has increased worldwide, but healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) can threaten these efforts. AIM: To analyse the incidence of HAI, the impact of preventive interventions, and microbiological profiles in a paediatric cardiovascular surgery programme. METHODS: Cohort study including children aged <12 years with CHD who underwent cardiovascular surgery between 2010 and 2021 in Medellín, Colombia (a middle-income setting). Data were collected from medical and laboratory records and infection control programme databases. Impact of various preventive interventions was assessed using a Poisson model. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. FINDINGS: A total of 2512 surgeries were analysed. Incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) was 5.9%, followed by central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI; 4.7%), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI; 2.2%), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP; 1.4%). Most of the strategies focused on preventing SSI, resulting in a reduction from 9.5% in 2010 to 3.0% in 2021 (P = 0.030). Antibiotic prophylaxis based on patient weight and continuous infusion had an impact on reducing SSI (RR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.32-0.99). Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) in clean wounds reduced 100% of infections. No significant risk reduction was observed for other HAI with the implemented interventions. CONCLUSION: Preventive strategies effectively reduced SSI but no other infections, emphasizing the need for targeted approaches to address a broader spectrum of HAI successfully.

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In this study, neural networks and support vector regression (SVR) were employed to predict the degradation over three pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs): Ibuprofen (IBP), diclofenac (DCF), and caffeine (CAF) within a stirred reactor featuring a flotation cell with two non-concentric ultraviolet lamps. A total of 438 datapoints were collected from published works and distributed into 70% training and 30% test datasets while cross-validation was utilized to assess the training reliability. The models incorporated 15 input variables concerning reaction kinetics, molecular properties, hydrodynamic information, presence of radiation, and catalytic properties. It was observed that the Support Vector Regression (SVR) presented a poor performance as the ε hyperparameter ignored large error over low concentration levels. Meanwhile, the Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) model was able to provide rough estimations on the expected degradation of the pollutants without requiring information regarding reaction rate constants. The multi-objective optimization analysis suggested a leading role due to ozone kinetic for a rapid degradation of the contaminants and most of the results required intensification with hydrogen peroxide and Fenton process. Although both models were affected by accuracy limitations, this work provided a lightweight model to evaluate different Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) by providing general information regarding the process operational conditions as well as know molecular and catalytic properties.

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El queratoquiste es un quiste odontogénico en el cual se describen diferentes opciones terapéuticas tanto conservadores como agresivas, con diferentes tasas de éxito y recidivas. Dependiendo del tratamiento, las técnicas más agresivas presentan mejores resultados, pero involucran un mayor defecto óseo en la zona tratada versus las técnicas conservadoras. El propósito de este reporte de caso es documentar una técnica quirúrgica utilizada en un paciente masculino de 17 años que, tras un tratamiento descompresivo de 8 meses, fue sometido a cirugía con enucleación de la lesión remanente más curetaje mecánico perilesional y uso de solución de Carnoy no modificada, preservando la cortical ósea vestibular mandibular tratada con solución de Carnoy no modificada y reposicionando este segmento óseo mediante osteosíntesis. Se realizó seguimiento clínico e imagenológico postoperatorio de 1 año verificando la remisión del quiste y la neoformación ósea en la zona intervenida. El uso de esta alternativa terapéutica permite evitar el colapso de los tejidos blandos en el defecto óseo subyacente y aportar tejido óseo autógeno tratado que permite una funcionalidad de tramado óseo al cual pueden migrar los elementos celulares para aportar en la regeneración tisular local.

The keratocyst is an odontogenic cyst in which different conservative and aggressive therapeutic options are described, with different success rates and recurrences. Depending on the treatment, the most aggressive techniques present better results but involve a more significant bone defect in the treated area compared to conservative techniques. The purpose of this case report is to document a surgical technique used in a 17-year-old male patient who underwent surgery after eight months of decompressive treatment with enucleation of the remaining lesion plus perilesional mechanical curettage and use of Carnoy's solution unmodified, preserving the mandibular vestibular bone cortex treated with unmodified Carnoy's solution and repositioning this bone segment by osteosynthesis. A one-year postoperative clinical and imaging follow-up was carried out, verifying the remission of the cyst and the new bone formation in the operated area. This therapeutic alternative makes possible to avoid the collapse of the soft tissues in the underlying bone defect and provide treated autogenous bone tissue that allows a bone mesh functionality to which the cellular elements can migrate to contribute to local tissue regeneration.

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1. This study determined the antimicrobial resistance profile and the biofilm-forming ability of Salmonella enterica strains isolated from commercial broiler houses over a three-year period in southern Brazil.2. Of the 720 drag swabs analysed, 37 (5%) tested positive for non-typhoidal Salmonella spp. and S. Heidelberg was the most frequent serovar.3. Among the antimicrobial resistant strains (83.8%; 31/37), resistance was most common to tetracycline, ampicillin and nalidixic acid. Multidrug resistance was found in 65% (24/37) of the isolates, with a large proportion of multidrug resistant S. Heidelberg strains (81%; 13/16).4. In total, 65% (24/37) of the isolates showed the ability to produce biofilm and multiple antimicrobial resistance was negatively correlated with biofilm formation.5. Strains susceptible to all tested antimicrobials tended to form stronger biofilms than multidrug resistant ones. This suggested that Salmonella spp. with less antimicrobial resistance depend more on the protection provided by biofilm to survive in the farm environment.

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Mastitis is considered the main disease that affects dairy cattle worldwide, and it is caused mainly by Staphylococcus aureus and environmental Streptococcus spp. Eventually, nonconventional pathogens, as rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM), may also cause chronic mastitis, which will not be responsive to antibiotic treatments. Diagnosis of mastitis caused by RGM is a difficult task, and most of time this agent may be misdiagnosed. Here we describe a case of clinical mastitis caused by the RGM Mycobacteroides abscessus in a cow from Southern Brazil, confirmed by microbiological and molecular characterization. Our results reinforce the necessity of a detailed laboratorial identification of the agent and to include this agent in differential diagnosis of chronical clinical mastitis nonresponsive to treatment.

A mastite é considerada uma das principais doenças que afetam rebanhos leiteiros ao redor do mundo e é causada principalmente por Staphylococcus aureus e Streptococcus spp. ambientais. Eventualmente, patógenos não convencionais, como Mycobacterium de crescimento rápido (RGM), podem também causar mastite crônica, a qual não respondera ao tratamento com antimicrobianos. O diagnóstico de mastite causada por RGM é uma tarefa difícil, e a maioria das vezes esse agente pode ser subdiagnosticado. Neste relato, descreveu-se um caso de mastite clínica em uma vaca, no sul do Brasil, causada por RGM Mycobacteroides abscessus, confirmado por caracterização microbiológica e molecular. Os resultados reforçam a necessidade de um diagnóstico laboratorial detalhado para a identificação do agente e a inclusão deste como diagnóstico diferencial no reconhecimento de mastite crônica não responsiva ao tratamento.

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INTRODUCTION: Low muscle mass is a common condition in the critically ill population and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The primary aim of this study was to analyze the prognostic significance of low muscle mass using computed tomography (CT) scans in COVID-19 critically ill patients. A second objective was to determine the accuracy and agreement in low muscle mass identification using diverse markers compared to CT as the gold standard. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of COVID-19 critically ill patients. Skeletal muscle area at the third lumbar vertebra was measured. Clinical outcomes (intensive care unit [ICU] and hospital length of stay [LOS], tracheostomy, days on mechanical ventilation [MV], and in-hospital mortality) were assessed. Phase angle, estimated fat-free mass index, calf circumference, and mid-upper arm circumference were measured as surrogate markers of muscle mass. RESULTS: Eighty-six patients were included (mean age ± SD: 48.6 ± 12.9; 74% males). Patients with low muscle mass (48%) had a higher rate of tracheostomy (50 vs 20%, p = 0.01), prolonged ICU (adjusted HR 0.53, 95%CI 0.30-0.92, p = 0.024) and hospital LOS (adjusted HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.29-0.86, p = 0.014). Bedside markers of muscle mass showed poor to fair agreement and accuracy compared to CT-assessed low muscle mass. CONCLUSION: Low muscle mass at admission was associated with prolonged length of ICU and hospital stays. Further studies are needed to establish targeted nutritional interventions to halt and correct the catabolic impact of COVID-19 in critically ill patients, based on standardized and reliable measurements of body composition.

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The study of arsenic (As)-resistant microorganisms with high As removal capacity is fundamental for the development of economically sustainable technologies used for the treatment of water contaminated with metalloid. In the current study, four bacterial strains were isolated from As-contaminated water samples of the Xichu region, Mexico. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the isolated strains, Rhodococcus gordoniae, Microbacterium hydrocarbonoxydans, Exiguobacterium indicum, and Pseudomonas kribbensis were identified as potential As removal strains. R. gordoniae shows the highest growth capacity in both As(III) and As(V). R. gordoniae, M. hydrocarbonoxydans, and E. indicum removed approximately 81.6, 79.9, and 61.7% of As(III), as well as 77.2, 68.9, and 74.8% of As(V), respectively. P. kribbensis removed only about 80.2% of As(V). This study contributes to the possible detoxification mechanisms employed by these bacteria. Such insight could be crucial in the successful implementation of in situ bioremediation programs using these little-known bacteria.

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Introducción: La valoración del dolor del paciente critico se basa en indicadores conductuales. Actualmente existen diversas escalas con diferencias en la forma de puntuar la presencia de dolor. Objetivo: Determinar la concordancia entre mediciones del dolor según la Escala de conductas indicadoras de dolor (ESCID) y la Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS). Métodos: Estudio observacional en pacientes con ventilación mecánica. Se aplicaron la BPS y la ESCID en reposo y durante aspiración de secreciones, a fin de determinar su concordancia mediante el coeficiente Kappa de Cohen y el nivel de dolor de la ESCID. Resultados: La concordancia estadística entre la BPS y la ESCID fue 0.23 según el coeficiente Kappa de Cohen, considerada "regular" de acuerdo con Landis y Koch. La BPS determinó presencia de dolor en 93.4% de pacientes durante la aspiración de secreciones, y la ESCID lo detectó en el 100%, clasificando 80% en nivel moderado­grave. Limitaciones de estudio: Muestra de 15 pacientes. El estudio se realizó en dos momentos. Originalidad: El resultado obtenido no tiene comparación con otro estudio, pues sólo se ha estudiado la concordancia entre observadores. Conclusiones: La concordancia entre las mediciones del dolor con ambas escalas se considera baja. La ESCID muestra mayor sensibilidad, aunque los niveles de puntuaciones bajas pueden ser causados por factores no relacionados con dolor. BPS muestra menor sensibilidad, pues considera la presencia de dolor con puntajes sin clasificaciones intermedias. Este estudio apoya el uso de ESCID como una escala confiable en las valoraciones del dolor.

Introduction: Pain assessment in critical patients is based on behavioral indicators. Currently, there are various scales that differ in their pain-scoring systems. Objective: To determine the concordance between pain measurements according the Behavioural Indicators of Pain Scale (ESCID, by its acronym in Spanish) and Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS). Methods: Observational study in patients subjected to mechanical ventilation. The BPS and the ESCID were applied at rest and during aspiration of secretions, in order to determine their concordance using Cohen's kappa coefficient and pain level according to ESCID. Results: The statistical concordance between the BPS and ESCID was 0.23 according to Cohen's kappa coefficient, considered "regular" as stated by Landis and Koch. BPS determined the presence of pain in 93.4% of patients during aspiration of secretions, and ESCID detected it in 100% of patients, with 80% in the moderate-severe level. Study limitations: Sample of 15 patients. The study was performed two times. Originality: The obtained results have no comparison with other studies, since they only analyze inter-observer concordance. Conclusions: The concordance between pain measurements with both scales is considered low. ESCID shows higher pain sensitivity, although low score levels may be caused by factors not related to pain. BPS shows lower sensitivity, since it considers the presence of pain with scores without intermediate classifications. This study supports the use of ESCID as a reliable scale for pain assessment

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Chronic liver injury leads to advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Genetical cell treatment related to the use of adenovirus (Ads) has proven to be beneficial and efficient in the recovery of hepatic diseases. Nevertheless, they are highly immunogenic and trigger an immune response where interferons type 1 (IFN-I) play a very important role. Three shRNAs against the Interferon-1 receptor (IFNAR1) were designed and cloned in pENTR/U6 plasmid and amplified in DH5α cells. Huh7 cells were transfected with these plasmids in the presence or absence of 1 × 109 viral particles/ml of adenovirus containing the green fluorescent protein gene used as a reporter. Transfection with the shRNA plasmids partially inhibited the IFNAR1 expression. This inhibition substantially decreased antiviral response, demonstrated by the decrease of IFNAR1, IFN-α, and TNF-α gene expression, and the decrease at protein levels of IFNAR1, Protein kinase RNA-activated (PKR), and phosphorylated STAT1, allowing higher adenoviral transduction and transgene expression. Interestingly it was seen shRNA inhibited macrophage activation. These results suggest that the inhibition of the IFN-I pathway could be a strategy to minimize the immune response against Adenoviral vectors allowing higher Adenovirus transduction extending the transgene expression.

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