Candidemia by Species of the Candida parapsilosis Complex in Children’s Hospital: Prevalence, Biofilm Production and Antifungal Susceptibility

Opportunistic infections are an increasingly common problem in hospitals, and the yeast Candida parapsilosis has emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen. The aims of this study were to determine and compare (i) the prevalence rate among C. parapsilosis complex organisms isolated from blood in a public children’s hospital in São Paulo state, (ii) the ability of the complex C. parapsilosis species identified to produce biofilm and (iii) the antifungal susceptibility profiles. Forty-nine (49) specimens of isolated blood yeast were analyzed, previously identified as C. parapsilosis by conventional methods. After the molecular analysis, the isolates were characterized as C. parapsilosis sensu stricto (83.7 %), C. orthopsilosis (10.2 %) and C. metapsilosis (6.1 %). All species were able to form biofilm. The species with the highest biofilm production was C. parapsilosis sensu stricto, followed by C. orthopsilosis and further by C. metapsilosis. All of the strains have demonstrated similar susceptibility to fluconazole, caspofungin, voriconazole, cetoconazole and 5-flucytosine. Only one strain of C. parapsilosis was resistant to amphotericin B. Regarding itraconazole, 66.6 and 43.9 % isolates of C. metapsilosis and C. parapsilosis, respectively, have demonstrated to be susceptible dose-dependent, with one isolate of the latter species resistant to the drug. Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto has demonstrated to be the less susceptible, mainly to amphotericin B, caspofungin and “azoles” such as fluconazole. Therefore, C. metapsilosis and C. orthopsilosis are still involved in a restricted number of infections, but these data have become essential for there are very few studies of these species in Latin America.     

Reef fishes foraging facilitation behavior: increasing the access to a food resource

Fishes associated in schools acquire adaptive advantages by grouping together, e.g., access to a larger variety of food resources, foraging sites, and protection against potential predators. This work presents the first record of a feeding association between the bucktooth parrotfish, Sparisoma radians and the sailor’s grunt Haemulon parra, on Tamandaré reefs, Southwestern Atlantic. Through this association, S. radians gained access to otherwise unavailable food resources to be found inside territorial damselfish domain, thus characterizing an event of foraging facilitation.     

Unexpected microanatomical variation among Eocene Antarctic stem penguins (Aves: Sphenisciformes)

The microanatomical and histological structure of Eocene Antarctic stem penguin tarsometatarsi is examined in order to characterise the bone microstructure. Eight adult tarsometatarsi belonging to eight fossil species (Palaeeudyptes gunnari, Palaeeudyptes klekowskii, Anthropornis grandis, Anthropornis nordenskjoeldi, Archaeospheniscus wimani, Marambiornis exilis, Delphinornis arctowskii and Delphinornis larseni) collected from the Antarctic A. nordenskjoeldi Biozone (La Meseta Formation, ～34.2 Ma) were examined. The thin sections revealed a distinctive microanatomical variation among taxa. Whereas Anthropornis spp., A. wimani and P. gunnari possess massive, clearly osteosclerotic bones (medullary cavities absent or strongly reduced), the bones of Delphinornis spp., P. klekowski and M. exilis exhibit well-developed medullary cavities. The cortical bone in all the specimens consists of primary, well-vascularised fibro-lamellar bone and variable amounts of secondary bone. Medullary cavities are coated by a thick layer of lamellar bone tissue and coarse compacted cancellous bone. Although several causes can explain the striking microanatomical variation (e.g. ontogeny), we interpret that such variation is related to differential adaptations to the aquatic life, for which taxa with more massive bones were possibly adapted to deeper and more prolonged diving excursions.     

A new hadrosaurid dentary from the latest Maastrichtian of the Pyrenees (north Spain) and the high diversity of the duck-billed dinosaurs of the Ibero-Armorican Realm at the very end of the Cretaceous

In the latest Maastrichtian, the European hadrosauroid fauna was more diverse than those of North America and Asia. The European record of hadrosaurid dentaries is an example of this diversity, and most of the sites with mandibular remains are located in the Ibero-Armorican Realm. Within the Iberian Peninsula, most of the remains are located in the Tremp Basin (South Central Pyrenees). Two of the three valid hadrosaurid taxa defined in this basin are from the Blasi sites (Arén, Huesca province): Arenysaurus ardevoli (Blasi-3) and Blasisaurus canudoi (Blasi-1). A new locality in Blasi (Blasi 3.4) has provided a new dentary from an indeterminate euhadrosaurid. This dentary presents some characters intermediate between Arenysaurus and Blasisaurus, some characters similar to Pararhabdodon isonensis (from the nearby province of Lleida), and some characters of its own. Nevertheless, due to its fragmentary character, without dentition or its edentulous anterior part, it cannot be determined above the level of Euhadrosauria. It thus represents a fourth Iberian euhadrosaurian taxon in the Ibero-Armorican Realm, different from Arenysaurus, Blasisaurus and Pararhabdodon, increasing the diversity of hadrosauroids in this realm at the very end of the Cretaceous.     

Antimicrobial effects of terpinen-4-ol against oral pathogens and its capacity for the modulation of gene expression

Abstract

This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of terpinen-4-ol against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus and its influence on gbpA (S. mutans) and slpA (L. acidophilus) gene expression. As measured by XTT assay, the concentrations of terpinen-4-ol that effectively inhibited the biofilm were 0.24% and 0.95% for S. mutans and L. acidophilus, respectively. Confocal microscopy revealed the presence of a biofilm attached to the enamel and dentin block surfaces with significant terpinen-4-ol effects against these microorganisms. The expression of the gbpA and slpA genes involved in adherence and biofilm formation was investigated using RT-PCR. Expression of these genes decreased after 15?min with 0.24% and 0.95% terpinen-4-ol in S. mutans and L. acidophilus, respectively. These findings demonstrate the antimicrobial activity of terpinen-4-ol and its ability to modulate the expression of gbpA and slpA genes, emphasizing the therapeutic capacity of terpinen-4-ol as an alternative to inhibit adherence in biofilm.     

Biofouling control using microparticles carrying a biocide

This study presents a new technological approach to minimize the use of antimicrobial (AMB) agents and their deleterious effects, based on the principle of drug-delivery systems whereby the AMB chemicals are transported on microparticles. The efficacy of microparticles carrying the quaternary ammonium compound (QAC), benzyldimethyldodecyl ammonium chloride (BDMDAC), was assessed against Pseudomonas fluorescens in both the planktonic and the biofilm state. The microparticles were prepared using a layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly technique. Oppositely charged molecules of polyethyleneimine (PEI), sodium polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), and BDMDAC were assembled on polystyrene (PS) cores. BDMDAC-coated particles were observed by CryoSEM and their composition analyzed by X-ray microanalysis. Zeta potential measurements indicated that changes in surface charge were compatible with a BDMDAC/particle interaction. This biocidal carrier structure had significant stability, verified by the release of only 15% of the BDMDAC when immersed in water for 18 months. Biocidal carrier activity was evaluated by determining the survival ratio of P. fluorescens planktonic and biofilm cells after different exposure periods to BDMDAC-coated particles. Tests with biofilm cells were also performed with the free QAC. An efficient AMB effect (minimum bactericidal concentration) against suspended cells was found for a concentration of 9.2 mg l^?1 of BDMDAC on coated particles after incubation for 30 min and 6.5 mg l^?1 of BDMDAC on coated particles after 60 min. Exposure of biofilms to PS-PEI/PSS/BDMDAC (0.87 mg l^?1) resulted in a decrease in viability of 60.5% and 66.5% of the total biofilm population for 30 and 60 min exposure times, respectively. Exposure for 60 min to 6.33 mg l^?1 and 11.75 mg l^?1 of BDMDAC in PS-PEI/PSS/BDMDAC particles promoted inactivation of 80.6% and 87.2% of the total population, respectively. The AMB effects obtained with the application of free BDMDAC were statistically similar to those promoted by the application of BDMDAC coated particles. The overall results indicate that this novel AMB strategy has potential for the control of microbial growth of planktonic cells and biofouling. Moreover, the technique allows the reuse of AMB molecules and consequently reduces the environmental risks associated with excessive use of AMB agents, thereby providing real benefits to public health.     

The effects of sea surface temperature anomalies on oceanic coral reef systems in the southwestern tropical Atlantic

In 2010, high sea surface temperatures that were recorded in several parts of the world and caused coral bleaching and coral mortality were also recorded in the southwest Atlantic Ocean, between latitudes 0°S and 8°S. This paper reports on coral bleaching and diseases in Rocas Atoll and Fernando de Noronha archipelago and examines their relationship with sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies recorded by PIRATA buoys located at 8°S30°W, 0°S35°W, and 0°S23°W. Adjusted satellite data were used to derive SST climatological means at buoy sites and to derive anomalies at reef sites. The whole region was affected by the elevated temperature anomaly that persisted through 2010, reaching 1.67 °C above average at reef sites and 1.83 °C above average at buoys sites. A significant positive relationship was found between the percentage of coral bleaching that was observed on reef formations and the corresponding HotSpot SST anomaly recorded by both satellite and buoys. These results indicate that the warming observed in the ocean waters was followed by a warming at the reefs. The percentage of bleached corals persisting after the subsidence of the thermal stress, and disease prevalence increased through 2010, after two periods of thermal stress. The in situ temperature anomaly observed during the 2009–2010 El Niño event was equivalent to the anomaly observed during the 1997–1998 El Niño event, explaining similar bleaching intensity. Continued monitoring efforts are necessary to further assess the relationship between bleaching severity and PIRATA SST anomalies and improve the use of this new dataset in future regional bleaching predictions.     

Forward head posture is associated with pressure pain threshold and neck pain duration in university students with subclinical neck pain

Abstract

Objective: The aims of this study are to investigate the association between: (i) forward head posture (FHP) and pressure pain thresholds (PPTs); (ii) FHP and maladaptive cognitive processes; and (iii) FHP and neck pain characteristics in university students with subclinical neck pain.

Materials/methods: A total of 140 university students, 90 asymptomatic and 50 with subclinical neck pain, entered the study. Demographic data, anthropometric data, FHP, and PPTs were collected for both groups. In addition, pain characteristics, pain catastrophizing, and fear of movement were assessed for participants with neck pain. FHP was characterized by the angle between C7, the tragus of the ear, and the horizontal line. Correlation analysis and multivariate regression analysis were conducted.

Results: Participants with subclinical neck pain showed significantly lower PPTs than participants without neck pain (p?<?.05), but similar FHP (p?>?.05). No significant association was found between FHP and PPTs in the asymptomatic group. In the group of participants with subclinical neck pain, PPTs at the right trapezius and neck pain duration explained 19% of the variance of FHP (R²?=?0.23; adjusted R²?=?0.19; p?<?.05).

Conclusion: This study suggests that FHP is not associated with PPTs in asymptomatic university students. In university students with subclinical neck pain, increased FHP was associated with right trapezius hypoalgesia and with neck pain of shorter duration. These findings are in contrast with current assumptions on the association between neck pain and FHP.     

Impact of unilateral spatial neglect on chronic patient's post-stroke quality of life

Abstract

Background: Unilateral spatial neglect (USN) is the prevalent feature in patients with right-sided stroke. It is diagnosed through the behavior inattention test (BIT) and has a negative impact on patients affecting both their functional capacity and quality of life.

Objective: Here, we aimed to evaluate the impact of USN on the quality of life of patients in the chronic phase of stroke.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with stroke patients with USN. After confirming the presence of stroke through neuroimaging examinations and of USN through the BIT, patients’ quality of life was evaluated by using the EUROQOL scale. Spearman’s correlation was used to validate the correlation between patients’ USN and quality of life, with a p?<?.05 representing significant results.

Results: Eighteen individuals were included. When correlating the value of each domain of the EUROQOL scale with the results of the BIT, we observed a negative correlation between mobility (r?=?–0.97; p?=?.000), self-care (r?=?–0.82; p?=?.013), usual activities (r?=?–0.87; p?=?.005); pain or discomfort (r?=?–0.88; p?=?.004), anxiety or depression (r?=?–0.97; p?=?.000), and EUROQOL total score (r?=?–0.97, p?=?.000).

Conclusion: After a correlation between the overall EUROQOL and BIT scores, we suggest that the higher the USN degree is in stroke patients, the worse their perceived quality of life tends to be.     

Morphological and molecular species delimitation within the Holarctic Ilybius angustior complex with a focus on Beringia (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)

A fourth species of the Holarctic Ilybius angustior complex, Ilybius minakawai n. sp., is described from the Island of Sakhalin in the Russian far east. Male genitalia are diagnostic within this species complex, although from body size and shape the new species cannot be separated from I. churchillensis Wallis from north Alaska and the Canadian low arctic. The small and narrow body characteristic of these two species represents an extreme of the cold climate form of the widespread I. angustior (Gyllenhal). Low variation within the studied large ribosomal and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I mitochondrial genes suggest that speciation events within the I. angustior-complex are fairly recent. In combination with known geographical ranges, the low genetic variation within this species complex suggest speciation within Pleistocene refugia including Beringia.