Biodiversity and technological potential of lactic acid bacteria isolated from spontaneously fermented amaranth sourdough.

Unlabelled: Spontaneous fermented sourdoughs prepared from amaranth flour were investigated for the presence of autochthonous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) predominating microbiota. The doughs were fermented with daily backslopping on a laboratory scale at 30°C for 10 days. LAB counts ranged from 2·60 to 8·54 log CFU g(-1) with a pH declined from 6·2 to 3·8 throughout fermentation.

Clinical predictors and microbiology of ventilator-associated pneumonia in the intensive care unit: a retrospective analysis in six Italian hospitals.

The purpose of this study was to assess the main clinical predictors and microbiological features of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) environment. This work is a retrospective analysis over one year from September 2010 to September 2011. Patients' risk factors, causes of admission, comorbidities and respiratory specimens collected in six Italian ICUs were reviewed.

Polymeric Nanoparticle-Based Photodynamic Therapy for Chronic Periodontitis in Vivo.

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is increasingly being explored for treatment of periodontitis. Here, we investigated the effect of aPDT on human dental plaque bacteria in suspensions and biofilms in vitro using methylene blue (MB)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic) (PLGA) nanoparticles (MB-NP) and red light at 660 nm. The effect of MB-NP-based aPDT was also evaluated in a clinical pilot study with 10 adult human subjects with chronic periodontitis.

Effect of Endodontic Retreatment on Push-out Bond Strength and Quality of Fiber Postbonding Interface of Resin Cements.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of endodontic retreatment on push-out bond strength and dentin interface of two resin cements used for fiber postcementation during endodontic retreatment.

Materials And Methods: The root canals of 40 extracted human canines were prepared, obturated and divided into four groups (n = 10). Gutta-percha was partially removed and fiber posts were immediately cemented in groups 1 and 2 using Panavia F with ED Primer and RelyX™ U200, respectively.

A cluster of Geotrichum clavatum (Saprochaete clavata) infection in haematological patients: a first Italian report and review of literature.

Invasive fungal infections, usually Aspergillus and Candida, represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with malignant haematological diseases, but in the last years rare fungal infections have more frequently been reported. Here, we report the clinical history of three patients affected with haematological malignancies who developed an infection caused by Geotrichum (G.) clavatum.

Analysis of a Spontaneous Non-Motile and Avirulent Mutant Shows That FliM Is Required for Full Endoflagella Assembly in Leptospira interrogans.

Pathogenic Leptospira strains are responsible for leptospirosis, a worldwide emerging zoonotic disease. These spirochetes are unique amongst bacteria because of their corkscrew-like cell morphology and their periplasmic flagella. Motility is reported as an important virulence determinant, probably favoring entry and dissemination of pathogenic Leptospira in the host.

Nanotechnology-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Photodynamic Therapy of Cancer: A Review.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising alternative approach for improved cancer treatment. In PDT, a photosensitizer (PS) is administered that can be activated by light of a specific wavelength, which causes selective damage to the tumor and its surrounding vasculature. The success of PDT is limited by the difficulty in administering photosensitizers (PSs) with low water solubility, which compromises the clinical use of several molecules.

Synergistic antimicrobial effect of photodynamic therapy and ciprofloxacin.

The occurrence of a variety of pathogens resistant to current antibiotics remains the major problem in medical care, especially when bacterial infections are established as biofilms. In this study, we propose the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a monotherapy and associated with antibiotic as an alternative treatment. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of PDT mediated by methylene blue (MB) on Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) in both biofilm and planktonic phases.

Biodiversity and technological-functional potential of lactic acid bacteria isolated from spontaneously fermented quinoa sourdoughs.

Aims: To analyse lactic acid bacteria (LAB) diversity and technological-functional and safety properties of strains present during spontaneous fermented quinoa sourdoughs.

Methods And Results: Fermentation was performed by daily backslopping at 30°C for 10 days. Autochthonous LAB microbiota was monitored by a biphasic approach combining random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR and rRNA gene sequencing with PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis.

Investigation of the Efficacy of Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation Versus Irrigation with Reciprocating Activation: An Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopic Study.

Introduction: The objective of this ex vivo study was to compare the efficacy of passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) versus a new activation system using reciprocating motion (EasyClean [EC]; Easy Equipamentos Odontológicos, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) to remove debris from the root canal walls at 6 predetermined apical levels using environmental scanning electron microscopy.

Methods: Mesiobuccal root canals of 10 mandibular molars were prepared with a 30/.05 final instrument.

Support to mothers of premature babies using NIDCAP method: a non-randomized controlled trial.

Background: The Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) is based on preterm infant's observation during hospitalization and considers infant's behavior as the key to evaluate the level of neurobehavioral maturation.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of NIDCAP program on mother's support and infant development.

Study Design: Non-randomized controlled study, including 43 infants of 32 weeks gestation receiving either a Standard Care (SC) or NIDCAP assessment.

Negligible elongation of mucin glycans with Gal β1-3 units distinguishes the laminated layer of Echinococcus multilocularis from that of Echinococcus granulosus.

The larval stages of the cestodes Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus cause the important zoonoses known as larval echinococcoses. These larvae are protected by a unique, massive, mucin-based structure known as the laminated layer. The mucin glycans of the E.

Structural Studies of Lipopolysaccharide-defective Mutants from Brucella melitensis Identify a Core Oligosaccharide Critical in Virulence.

The structures of the lipooligosaccharides fromBrucella melitensismutants affected in the WbkD and ManBcoreproteins have been fully characterized using NMR spectroscopy. The results revealed that disruption ofwbkDgives rise to a rough lipopolysaccharide (R-LPS) with a complete core structure (β-d-Glcp-(1→4)-α-Kdop-(2→4)[β-d-GlcpN-(1→6)-β-d-GlcpN-(1→4)[β-d-GlcpN-(1→6)]-β-d-GlcpN-(1→3)-α-d-Manp-(1→5)]-α-Kdop-(2→6)-β-d-GlcpN3N4P-(1→6)-α-d-GlcpN3N1P), in addition to components lacking one of the terminal β-d-GlcpN and/or the β-d-Glcpresidues (48 and 17%, respectively). These structures were identical to those of the R-LPS fromB.

Genome Sequence of Acidovorax avenae Strain T10_61 Associated with Sugarcane Red Stripe in Argentina.

Red stripe of sugarcane in Argentina is a bacterial disease caused by Acidovorax avenae. The genome sequence from the first isolate of this bacterium in Argentina is presented here. The draft genome of the A.

Effects of Glide Path on the Centering Ability and Preparation Time of Two Reciprocating Instruments.

Introduction: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of establishing glide path on the centering ability and preparation time of two single-file reciprocating systems in mesial root canals of mandibular molars.

Methods And Materials: Sixty extracted mandibular molars with curvatures of 25-39 degrees and separate foramina for the mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals, were divided into four groups (n=15); WaveOne+glide path; WaveOne; Reciproc+glide path and Reciproc. Non-patent canals were excluded and only one canal in each tooth was instrumented.

In vitro comet and micronucleus assays do not predict morphological transforming effects of silica particles in Syrian Hamster Embryo cells.

Crystalline silica particles and asbestos have both been classified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). However, because of the limited data available, amorphous silica was not classifiable. In vitro, the carcinogenic potential of natural crystalline and amorphous silica particles has been revealed by the Syrian Hamster Embryo (SHE) cell transformation assay.

Micro-Computed Tomographic Evaluation of 2 Nickel-Titanium Instrument Systems in Shaping Root Canals.

Introduction: Cleaning and shaping without making procedural errors have always been a challenge in endodontics, particularly when the root canals are curved. Several rotary instruments have been developed to minimize such errors. The purpose of this study was to compare the shaping ability of 2 rotary file systems, BioRace (BR; FKG, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) and ProTaper Next (PTN; Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), during the preparation of curved root canals in extracted teeth using micro-computed tomographic imaging.

Evaluation of the galactogogue effect of silymarin on mothers of preterm newborns (<32 weeks).

Hypogalactia has a relative high frequency in women having delivered preterm infants, who often have difficulties in maintaining a sufficient production of milk for their infants' needs over prolonged periods of time. Recent studies have shown a potential galactogogue effect of silymarin on milk production in animal models (cows and rats) and in humans (mothers of term newborns); nonetheless, none of the studies conducted on humans consisted of double-blind randomized clinical trials and no data are available concerning mothers who delivered preterm infants. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of silymarin (BIO-C®) as galactogogue and its tolerability in mothers who delivered preterm infants.

Peptide KSL-W-Loaded Mucoadhesive Liquid Crystalline Vehicle as an Alternative Treatment for Multispecies Oral Biofilm.

Decapeptide KSL-W shows antibacterial activities and can be used in the oral cavity, however, it is easily degraded in aqueous solution and eliminated. Therefore, we aimed to develop liquid crystalline systems (F1 and F2) for KSL-W buccal administration to treat multispecies oral biofilms. The systems were prepared with oleic acid, polyoxypropylene (5) polyoxyethylene (20) cetyl alcohol (PPG-5-CETETH-20), and a 1% poloxamer 407 dispersion as the oil phase (OP), surfactant (S), and aqueous phase (AP), respectively.

The assembly and annotation of the complete Rufous-bellied thrush mitochondrial genome.

Among known bird species, oscines are one of the few groups that produce complex vocalizations due to vocal learning. One of the most conspicuous oscine passerines in southeastern South America is the Rufous-bellied Thrush, Turdus rufiventris. The complete mitochondrial genome of this species was sequenced with the Illumina HiSeq platform (Illumina Inc.

The Effect of Foraminal Enlargement of Necrotic Teeth with the Reciproc System on Postoperative Pain: A Prospective and Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the postoperative pain that followed root canal treatments performed with a single-file reciprocating system on asymptomatic uniradicular necrotic teeth with and without foraminal enlargements (FEs).

Methods: Forty-six volunteers were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the established working lengths. The FE group had a working length of 0.

Neurodevelopmental outcome of extremely low birth weight infants at 24 months corrected age: a comparison between Griffiths and Bayley Scales.

Background: The availability of accurate assessment tools for the early detection of infants at risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes is a major issue. The purpose of this study is to compare the outcomes of the Bayley Scales (Bayley-II vs Bayley-III) in a cohort of extremely low birth weight infants at 24 months corrected age, to define which edition shows the highest agreement with the Griffiths Mental Development Scales Revised.

Methods: We performed a single-centre cohort study.

DRD4 and SLC6A3 gene polymorphisms are associated with food intake and nutritional status in children in early stages of development.

Variants of dopamine system genes such as the DRD4 and the SLC6A3 genes may be involved in food intake regulation because the dopaminergic system influences food reward. We investigated an association of polymorphisms in the DRD4 (exon 3 VNTR) and SLC6A3 (3'UTR VNTR, rs2550948, rs2652511 and rs1048953) genes with food intake and nutritional status in children. This prospective cohort study recruited 359 children at birth.

Microbiologic characteristics and predictors of mortality in bloodstream infections in intensive care unit patients: A 1-year, large, prospective surveillance study in 5 Italian hospitals.

Background: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) from multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria cause morbidity and mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients worldwide. This study investigated the incidence of BSIs in 5 adult general ICUs in Rome, Italy, and evaluated the mortality rate and risk factors associated with these infections.

Methods: Over a 12-month period, 1,318 patients were enrolled.