Early physiologic changes after awake prone positioning predict clinical outcomes in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.

Purpose: The optimal physiologic parameters to monitor after a session of awake prone positioning in patients with acute respiratory failure are not well understood. This study aimed to identify which early physiologic changes after the first session of awake prone positioning are linked to the need for invasive mechanical ventilation or death in patients with acute respiratory failure.

Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study of adult patients with acute respiratory failure related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treated with awake prone positioning.

Evaluation of Rheological Properties of Asphalt Binder Modified with Biochar from Oat Hulls.

In this study, the effect of biochar from oat hulls (BO) on the rheological properties of a PG 64-22 asphalt binder was evaluated using a full factorial design, which included the following factors: pyrolysis temperature (PT) (300 °C and 500 °C), BO particle size (<20 µm and <75 µm), and the amount of BO (2.5%, 5%, and 7.5%).

Effect of Biochar from Oat Hulls on the Physical Properties of Asphalt Binder.

The purpose of this study was to verify the feasibility of using biochar from oat hulls (BO) as a potential bio-modifier to improve the physical properties of conventional asphalt binder. The BO and asphalt binder were characterized by confocal (fluorescence) laser microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Then, an asphalt binder modification procedure was established and modifications with 2.

Association between sepsis at ICU admission and mortality in patients with ICU-acquired pneumonia: An infectious second-hit model.

Purpose: We explore the hypothesis that critically ill patients developing ICU-acquired pneumonia (ICU-AP) have worse outcomes and an altered inflammatory response if their ICU admission was sepsis-related.

Methods: Prospective cohort study in two centers. Patients with ICU-AP were evaluated according to their previous exposure to sepsis at ICU-admission.

Performance of a continuous stirred tank bioreactor employing an immobilized actinobacteria mixed culture for the removal of organophosphorus pesticides.

In this study, we evaluated polyurethane foam (PF), volcanic rock (VR), and a modified plastic cap (MPC) as supports for the immobilization of organophosphorus (OP) pesticide-degrading actinobacterial strains. The colonization and activity of four streptomycetes were favoured by PF, which was selected as the carrier to use in a continuous stirred tank bioreactor (CSTR) that can be operated at increasing inflows of a pesticide mixture that contains the insecticides chlorpyrifos (CP) and diazinon (DZ). Our results demonstrate that the CSTR can be operated at flow rates of 10 and 40 mL h with greater than 85% removal of the pesticides in the short term.

Synthesis of calcium borate nanoparticles and its use as a potential foliar fertilizer in lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and zucchini (Cucurbita pepo).

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of foliar sprays containing boron (B) nano-fertilizer (NF) on the growth and physiology of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and zucchini (Cucurbita pepo). Plants were grown under greenhouse conditions for 60 days on a modified Hoagland solution with the presence and absence of boron (+B or -B). A synthesized B-NF foliar spray and a commercial B foliar fertilizer (Bortrac™ 150, BT) was applied at a concentration of 30 mg B L at 10-d intervals throughout the experiment.

Effects of three biochars on copper immobilization and soil microbial communities in a metal-contaminated soil using a metallophyte and two agricultural plants.

Biochar (BC) is a porous, carbonaceous material produced by slow pyrolysis of biomass under oxygen-limited conditions. BC production has been attracting research interest because it modifies soil physicochemical characteristics and improves the growth of plants in problem soils. These benefits may be best actualized for soils contaminated by metals, where remediation is hampered by metal toxicity to both plants and soil microbial communities.

Enzymatic esterification of oleic acid by Candida rugosa lipase immobilized onto biochar.

The immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) onto biochar was studied in a series of batch experiments. CRL sorption behavior was evaluated as a function of pH, enzyme concentration, temperature and ionic strength. As the immobilized lipase was used for the catalytic esterification of oleic acid, its resistance to solvents and thermal stability were evaluated.

Copper immobilization by biochar and microbial community abundance in metal-contaminated soils.

Biochar (BC) is gaining attention as a soil amendment that can remediate metal polluted soils. The simultaneous effects of BC on copper (Cu) mobility, microbial activities in soil using metallophytes have scarcely been addressed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of biochar BCs on Cu immobilization and over soil microbial communities in a Cu-contaminated soil evaluated over a two-year trial.

Microscopic and spectroscopic characterization of humic substances from a compost amended copper contaminated soil: main features and their potential effects on Cu immobilization.

We characterized humic substances (HS) extracted from a Cu-contaminated soil without compost addition (C) or amended with a wheat straw-based compost (WSC) (H1), co-composted with FeO (H2), or co-composted with an allophane-rich soil (H3). Extracted HS were characterized under electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (X-EDS), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. In addition, HS extracted from WSC (H4) were characterized at pH 4.

The HIV-1 Vpr Protein: A Multifaceted Target for Therapeutic Intervention.

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vpr protein is an attractive target for antiretroviral drug development. The conservation both of the structure along virus evolution and the amino acid sequence in viral isolates from patients underlines the importance of Vpr for the establishment and progression of HIV-1 disease. While its contribution to virus replication in dividing and non-dividing cells and to the pathogenesis of HIV-1 in many different cell types, both extracellular and intracellular forms, have been extensively studied, its precise mechanism of action nevertheless remains enigmatic.

Influence of glutathione availability on cell damage induced by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 viral protein R.

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) encodes for accessory viral protein R (Vpr), which arrests the cell cycle of host cells at G2 and causes mitochondrial dysfunction and alterations in glycolysis. High-level expression of Vpr protein correlates with increased viral production and disease progression. Vpr causes structural and functional injury in many types of eukaryotic cells, whether or not they are permissive for viral replication; among them is the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Vpu Protein: The Viroporin Encoded by HIV-1.

Viral protein U (Vpu) is a lentiviral viroporin encoded by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and some simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) strains. This small protein of 81 amino acids contains a single transmembrane domain that allows for supramolecular organization via homoligomerization or interaction with other proteins. The topology and trafficking of Vpu through subcellular compartments result in pleiotropic effects in host cells.

HIV-1 Vpu protein mediates the transport of potassium in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vpu is an integral membrane protein that belongs to the viroporin family. Viroporins interact with cell membranes, triggering membrane permeabilization and promoting release of viral particles. In vitro electrophysiological methods have revealed changes in membrane ion currents when Vpu is present; however, in vivo the molecular mechanism of Vpu at the plasma membrane is still uncertain.

Lung function and organ dysfunctions in 178 patients requiring mechanical ventilation during the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic.

Introduction: Most cases of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) infection are self-limited, but occasionally the disease evolves to a severe condition needing hospitalization. Here we describe the evolution of the respiratory compromise, ventilatory management and laboratory variables of patients with diffuse viral pneumonitis caused by pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) admitted to the ICU.

Method: This was a multicenter, prospective inception cohort study including adult patients with acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) admitted to 20 ICUs in Argentina between June and September of 2009 during the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic.

Is BaF3 bioassay useful to identify patients with bioinactive growth hormone?

We analyzed the ability of the BaF3 cell line bioassay to select patients with biologically inactive GH. We first evaluated the biological response of the Ba/F3-hGHR cells to rhGH additional doses from 10 to 5000 pg/ml. The concentration points corresponding to the linear part of the curve were selected.

Antiviral activity of lauryl gallate against animal viruses.

Background: Antiviral compounds are needed in the control of many animal and human diseases.

Methods: We analysed the effect of the antitumoural drug lauryl gallate on the infectivity of the African swine fever virus among other DNA (herpes simplex and vaccinia) and RNA (influenza, porcine transmissible gastroenteritis and Sindbis) viruses, paying attention to its effect on the viability of the corresponding host cells.

Results: Viral production was strongly inhibited in different cell lines at non-toxic concentrations of the drug (1-10 microM), reducing the titres 3->5 log units depending on the multiplicity of infection.

Herpes simplex virus-associated acute liver failure: a difficult diagnosis with a poor prognosis.

We report 5 cases of acute liver failure related to herpes simplex (HSV) infection in 1 immunocompetent and 4 immunosuppressed patients. One patient was too ill for liver transplantation indication. Three patients, among the 4 listed, underwent liver transplantation.

Regulation of HIV-1 env mRNA translation by Rev protein.

We have examined the effect of Rev on the regulation of the expression of RRE containing mRNAs when they were synthesised in the nucleus or directly in the cytoplasm. In the nuclear expression system, Rev enhanced env mRNA transport by about 1.6-fold, while translation of this mRNA was increased more than a 100-fold.

Isolation of Candida famata from a patient with acute zonal occult outer retinopathy.

The etiology of a number of retinopathies, such as acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR), remains undetermined. Candida famata was isolated from conjunctival exudates of a patient diagnosed with AZOOR. This yeast was very abundant, particularly in the more affected eye, while no other pathogens or fungal species were in evidence.

Viroporins.

Viroporins are a group of proteins that participate in several viral functions, including the promotion of release of viral particles from cells. These proteins also affect cellular functions, including the cell vesicle system, glycoprotein trafficking and membrane permeability. Viroporins are not essential for the replication of viruses, but their presence enhances virus growth.