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Abstract Background The Biological Isolation and Containment Unit (BICU) is a subunit of the Teaching Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Lisbon, Portugal, for the admission of animals with confirmed infectious diseases or under clinical suspicion and waiting for a diagnosis. As a high-risk environment for the transmission of infectious agents, it is extremely important to implement programs for the surveillance of nosocomial microorganisms in these facilities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of bacterial contamination of the BICU environmental surfaces and to implement corrective actions on disinfection protocols. Swab samples were collected from selected environmental surfaces in 3 different areas of the BICU (isolation, work, and preparatory rooms) to evaluate the total aerobic bacterial load and investigate the presence of 4 nosocomial microorganisms: vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp., methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, 3rd-generation cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli, and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Bacterial quantification was performed by using non-selective media, while specific selective media were used for the isolation of the target microorganisms. Isolates were identified based on their macro and microscopic characteristics and their biochemical profile. Subsequently, new disinfection protocols were implemented, and their effectiveness evaluated. Results The surfaces with the highest bacterial load in the isolation, preparatory, and worker’s rooms were the cages, hand-held sponge, and telephone, respectively. Regarding the 4 pathogens investigated, Enterococcus spp. were the most frequently isolated (11.3%), followed by E. coli (1.5%) and P. aeruginosa (1.5%). One of the P. aeruginosa isolates obtained was resistant to imipenem. In the end, new disinfection protocols were implemented, which proved to be effective in reducing bacterial counts by 99.99% in cages and the sponge, and by 90 to 99% on the telephone. Conclusions This study allows to conclude that the cages and the human contact surfaces were the most contaminated in the isolation rooms. Nevertheless, the new disinfection strategies seemed to be effective in reducing environmental contamination, including by some potentially nosocomial agents, although more samples must be analyzed for definitive conclusions. These results may contribute to highlight the importance of infection prevention and control measures, as fundamental tools to reduce the spread of infectious agents in the hospital environment.

Abstract Background Sepsis is a severe condition associated with high prevalence and mortality rates. Parvovirus enteritis is a predisposing factor for sepsis, as it promotes intestinal bacterial translocation and severe immunosuppression. This makes dogs infected by parvovirus a suitable study population as far as sepsis is concerned. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the differences between two sets of SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) criteria in outcome prediction: SIRS 1991 and SIRS 2001. The possibility of stratifying and classifying septic dogs was assessed using a proposed animal adapted PIRO (Predisposition, Infection, Response and Organ dysfunction) scoring system. Results The 72 dogs enrolled in this study were scored for each of the PIRO elements, except for Infection, as all were considered to have the same infection score, and subjected to two sets of SIRS criteria, in order to measure their correlation with the outcome. Concerning SIRS criteria, it was found that the proposed alterations on SIRS 2001 (capillary refill time or mucous membrane colour alteration) were significantly associated with the outcome (OR = 4.09, p

Salmonella 1,4,[5],12:i:- is presently considered one of the major serovars responsible for human salmonellosis worldwide. Due to its recent emergence, studies assessing the demographic characterization and spatial epidemiology of salmonellosis 1,4,[5],12:i:- at local- or country-level are lacking. In this study, a analysis was conducted over a 10 year period, from 2000 to the first quarter of 2011 at the Portuguese National Laboratory in Portugal mainland, with a total of 215 Salmonella 1,4,[5],12:i:- serotyped isolates obtained from human infections by a passive surveillance system. Data regarding source, year and month of sampling, gender, age, district and municipality of the patients were registered. Descriptive statistical analysis and a spatial scan statistic combined with a geographic information system were employed to characterize the epidemiology and identify spatial clusters. Results showed that most districts have reports of Salmonella 1,4,[5],12:i:-, with a higher number of cases at the Portuguese coastland, including districts like Porto (n = 60, 27.9%), Lisboa (n = 29, 13.5%) and Aveiro (n = 28, 13.0%). An increased incidence was observed in the period from 2004 to 2011 and most infections occurred during May and October. Spatial analysis revealed 4 clusters of higher than expected infection rates. Three were located in the north of Portugal, including two at the coastland (Cluster 1 [RR = 3.58, p ≤ 0.001] and 4 [RR = 10.42 p ≤ 0.230]), and one at the countryside (Cluster 3 [RR = 17.76, p ≤ 0.001]). A larger cluster was detected involving the center and south of Portugal (Cluster 2 [RR = 4.85, p ≤ 0.001]). The present study was elaborated with data provided by a passive surveillance system, which may originate an underestimation of disease burden. However, this is the first report describing the incidence and the distribution of areas with higher risk of infection in Portugal, revealing that Salmonella 1,4,[5],12:i:- displayed a significant geographic clustering and these areas should be further evaluated to identify risk factors in order to establish prevention programs. Keywords: Cluster analysis, Geographical information system (GIS), Portugal, Public health, Salmonella 1,4,[5],12:i:-

Este estudo avalia a intercalação de esmectita dioctahédrica do Estado Acre com o sal quaternário de amônio brometo de hexadeciltrimetilamônio (HDTMA) em concentrações compreendidas entre 1 a 5 vezes ao valor de CTC da argila original e sua aplicabilidade na adsorção de fenol e benzeno em fase líquida. Os materiais foram caracterizados por microanálises de difração de raios X, microscopia eletrônica de varredura/espectroscopia com dispersão de energia e espectroscopia na região do infravermelho. Os processos de adsorção foram realizados em sistemas simples e as medidas das concentrações do fenol e benzeno foram efetuadas por espectrofotometria na região ultravioleta. Os resultados indicaram que a intercalação da esmectita com HDTMA propiciou cerca de 78,8% de expansão (variação de d001: 1,47 nm para 1,91 nm) e decréscimo acentuado dos elementos das posições interlamelares, como Na, Ca, Mg e K, acompanhado pela delaminação/esfoliação da argila original. Nos processos de adsorção do fenol e benzeno em HDTMA-arg 5 foram obtidos os seguintes resultados: q max= 4,44 e 35,8 mg.g-1; K L= 0,076 e 0,115 L.g-1; ΔGº = -16,85 e -18,38 kJ.mol-1, respectivamente. Estes dados indicaram que os processos de adsorção do benzeno e fenol em fase líquida na organoargila HDTMA-arg 5 foram favoráveis, espontâneos e com interações físicas.

We previously showed that lymphocytes and erythrocytes of HIV-1–infected patients, prior to antiretroviral therapy, presented significant changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]int) and membrane fluidity. The present study evaluates the same parameters after response to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Blood samples were collected from patients prior to and after antiretroviral therapy, and from control subjects. Membrane fluidity and [Ca2+]int were assessed by fluorescence spectroscopy measurements, using three different probes: TMA-DPH and DPH for membrane fluidity, and fura-2 for Ca2+. When compared with the control group, both untreated and treated patients presented increased lymphocyte [Ca2+]int and decreased lymphocyte membrane fluidity, without significant differences between the two groups of patients. On the contrary, the therapy reversed the membrane fluidity variations observed in erythrocytes. The decreased erythrocyte [Ca2+]int of untreated patients was not reversed by HAART. AIDS patients present changes in lymphocyte (mostly noninfected) and erythrocyte properties, partially reversed by HAART, consistent with a process of facilitated propagation of the infection to new cells, stimulation of virion production, and maintenance of a reservoir of erythrocyte-bound infectious virus. These observations can be related with the action of the HIV Nef protein in the cell's proteins and lipid composition, as well as with the recently observed cell infection by HIV-1 via endocytosis.

Salmonella Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i:- is a major serovar responsible for human salmonellosis whose biofilm-forming ability, influenced by environmental conditions like those found in the gastrointestinal tract, is one of the main contributing factors to its ability to persist in the host and thus one of the main causes of chronic relapsing infections. Most studies to evaluate biofilm formation are performed in microtiter assays using standard media. However, no reports are available on the ability of this serovar to produce biofilm under in vitro simulated gastrointestinal conditions which better correlate with the environment found in the gastrointestinal tract. To address this, a modified biofilm assay simulating intestinal fluid was conceived to assess the biofilm formation of 133 Salmonella Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i:- isolates with and without agitation and at three different time points (24 h, 48 h, and 72 h). The results were then compared to the existing microtiter method using conventional biofilm growth medium (Mueller Hinton Broth). Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the results obtained between the three protocols used. The simulated human intestinal environment impaired biofilm production demonstrating that conditions like pH, agitation or the presence of enzymes can influence biofilm production. Therefore, results from in vitro simulation of in vivo conditions may contribute to unravelling factors relating to biofilm formation and persistence in the context of the human host.

The precision agriculture scientific field employs increasingly innovative techniques to optimize inputs, maximize profitability, and reduce environmental impacts. Therefore, obtaining a high number of soil samples to make precision agriculture feasible is challenging. This data bottleneck has been overcome by identifying sub-regions based on data obtained through proximal soil sensing equipment. These data can be combined with freely available remote sensing data to create more accurate maps of soil properties. Furthermore, these maps can be optimally aggregated and interpreted for soil heterogeneity through management zones. Thus, this work aimed to create and combine soil management zones from proximal soil sensing and remote sensing data. To this end, data on electrical conductivity and magnetic susceptibility, both apparent, were measured using the EM38-MK2 proximal soil sensor and the contents of the thorium and uranium elements, both equivalent, via the Medusa MS1200 proximal soil sensor for a 72-ha grain-producing area in São Paulo, Brazil. The proximal soil sensing attributes were mapped using ordinary kriging (OK). Maps were also made using kriging with external drift (KED), and the proximal soil sensor attributes data, combined with remote sensing data, such as Landsat-8, Aster, and Sentinel-2 images, in addition to 10 terrain covariables derived from the digital elevation model Alos Palsar. As a result, three management zone maps were produced via the k-means clustering algorithm: using data from proximal sensors (OK), proximal sensors combined with remote sensors (KED), and remote sensors. Seventy-two samples (0–10 cm in depth) were collected and analyzed in a laboratory (1 sample per hectare) for concentrations of clay, calcium, organic carbon, and magnesium to assess the capacity of the management zone maps created using analysis of variance. All zones created using the three data groups could distinguish the different treatment areas. The three data sources used to map management zones produced similar map zones, but the zone map using a combination of proximal and remote data did not show an improvement in defining the management zones, and using only remote sensing data lowered the significance levels of differentiating each zone compared to the OK and KED maps. In summary, this study not only underscores the global applicability of proximal and remote sensing techniques in precision agriculture but also sheds light on the nuances of their integration. The study’s findings affirm the efficacy of these advanced technologies in addressing the challenges posed by soil heterogeneity, paving the way for more nuanced and site-specific agricultural practices worldwide.

The scientific field of precision agriculture employs increasingly innovative techniques to optimize inputs, maximize profitability, and reduce environmental impact. However, obtaining a high number of soil samples is challenging in order to make precision agriculture viable. There is a trade-off between the amount of data needed and the time and resources spent to obtain these data compared to the accuracy of the maps produced with more or fewer points. In the present study, the research was based on an exhaustive dataset of apparent electrical conductivity (aEC) containing 3906 points distributed along 26 transects with spacing between each of up to 40 m, measured by the proximal soil sensor EM38-MK2, for a grain-producing area of 72 ha in São Paulo, Brazil. A second sparse dataset was simulated, showing only four transects with a 400 m distance and, in the end, only 162 aEC points. The aEC map via ordinary kriging (OK) from the grid with 26 transects was considered the reference, and two other mapping approaches were used to map aEC via sparse grid: kriging with external drift (KED) and geographically weighted regression (GWR). These last two methods allow the increment of auxiliary variables, such as those obtained by remote sensors that present spatial resolution compatible with the pivot scale, such as data from the Landsat-8, Aster, and Sentinel-2 satellites, as well as ten terrain covariates derived from the Alos Palsar digital elevation model. The KED method, when used with the sparse dataset, showed a relatively good fit to the aEC data (R2 = 0.78), with moderate prediction accuracy (MAE = 1.26, RMSE = 1.62) and reasonable predictability (RPD = 1.76), outperforming the GWR method, which had the weakest performance (R2 = 0.57, MAE = 1.78, RMSE = 2.30, RPD = 0.81). The reference aEC map using the exhaustive dataset and OK showed the highest accuracy with an R2 of 0.97, no systematic bias (ME = 0), and excellent precision (RMSE = 0.56, RPD = 5.86). Management zones (MZs) derived from these maps were validated using soil texture data from clay samples measured at 0–10 cm depth in a grid of 72 points. The KED method demonstrated the highest potential for accurately defining MZs for irrigation, producing a map that closely resembled the reference MZ map, thereby providing reliable guidance for irrigation management.

Abstract In 2020, multiple lionfish (Pterois spp.) records along the equatorial Southwestern (SW) Atlantic revealed a new expansion of these potentially damaging invasive populations, which could impact over 3500 km of Brazilian coastline over the next few years, as well as unique ecosystems and marine protected areas in its path. To assess the taxonomic status, invasion route, and correlation with other centres of distribution, we investigated the genetic diversity patterns of lionfish caught in 2022 at the Amazonia, Northeastern Brazil, and Fernando de Noronha and Rocas Atoll ecoregions, using two molecular markers, the mitochondrial COI and the nuclear S7 RP1. The data indicate that all studied lionfish belong to what is generally accepted as P. volitans, and share the same genetic signature as lionfish present in the Caribbean Sea. The shared haplotypes and alleles indicate that the SW Atlantic invasion derives from an active movement of adult individuals from the Caribbean Sea into the Brazilian coast. The Amazon mesophotic reefs likely served as a stepping-stone to overcome the biogeographical barrier represented by the Amazon-Orinoco River plume. New alleles found for S7 RP1 suggest the onset of local genetic diversification, heightening the environmental risks as this bioinvasion heads towards other South Atlantic ecoregions.

Summary: Background: Most cancer drugs enter the US market first. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals of new cancer drugs may influence regulatory decisions in other settings. The study examined whether characteristics of available evidence at FDA approval influenced time-to-marketing authorisation (MA) in Brazil, and price differences between the two countries. Methods: All new FDA-approved cancer drugs from 2010 to 2019 were matched to drugs with MA and prices approved in Brazil by December 2020. Characteristics of main studies, availability of randomised controlled trials (RCTs), overall survival (OS) benefit, added therapeutic benefit, and prices were compared. Findings: Fifty-six FDA-approved cancer drugs with matching indications received a MA at the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) after a median of 522 days following US approval (IQR: 351–932). Earlier authorisation in Brazil was associated with availability of RCT (median: 506 vs 760 days, p = 0.031) and evidence of OS benefit (390 vs 543 days, p = 0.019) at FDA approval. At Brazilian marketing authorisation, a greater proportion of cancer drugs had main RCTs (75% vs 60.7%) and OS benefit (42.9% vs 21.4%) than that in the US. Twenty-eight (50%) drugs did not demonstrate added therapeutic benefit over drugs for the same indication in Brazil. Median approved prices of new cancer drugs were 12.9% lower in Brazil compared to the US (adjusted by Purchasing Power Parity). However, for drugs with added therapeutic benefit median prices were 5.9% higher in Brazil compared to the US, while 17.9% lower for those without added benefit. Interpretation: High-quality clinical evidence accelerated the availability of cancer medicines in Brazil. The combination of marketing and pricing authorisation in Brazil may favour the approval of cancer drugs with better supporting evidence, and more meaningful clinical benefit albeit with variable degree of success in achieving lower prices compared to the US. Funding: None.

This work is mainly concerned with the improved photoelectrothermal (IPET) modeling of an extra-high current (EHC) and extra-high luminous flux (up to 60 klm) solid-state light source based on a chip-on-board (COB) light-emitting diode (LED). The studied COB technology presents the particular challenge of extremely small thermal resistances, with extra-high current levels through the lamp (up to 12 A). Considering the unique thermal characteristics of such devices, an improved PET modeling and its respective experimental methodology are detailed. Accurate techniques are also proposed to estimate the device junction temperature. The studied method is very suitable to represent EHC COB devices, since it includes the main thermal parameters variation into a novel model, optimizing the flux prediction for this technology. In this context, the static flux and efficacy are analyzed by means of experimental tests and theoretical model, where the improvement of the employed method is highlighted.