Copper and Antimicrobial Residues in the Liver and Kidney-Antimicrobial Resistance and Cu Tolerance Unrelated in from Piglets' Faeces.

Antimicrobials, widely used in livestock, have induced the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, prompting farmers to explore alternatives like copper. This study aims to determine antimicrobial residues and Cu concentrations in the liver and kidney of piglets and to investigate the correlation between Cu and antimicrobial use and the resistance to Cu and antimicrobials of isolated from piglets' faeces. Antimicrobial residues were quantified by UHPLC-ToF-MS; Cu was quantified using FAAS; microbiological methods were used for isolation, CuSO minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), and antimicrobial susceptibility; and to detect genes, Real-Time PCR was used.

Optimization of lignin precipitation from black liquor using organic acids and its valorization by preparing lignin nanoparticles.

This work focuses on the precipitation of lignin from kraft black liquor (BL) along with its valorization into lignin nanoparticles (LNP). Two organic acids namely, acetic acid, and lactic acid were used for the precipitation of lignin as an alternative to sulfuric acid. An optimization study was carried out to determine the effect of three key variables, namely acid type, temperature, and pH, on the isolation yield and purity of lignin.

Assessment of Zn and Cu in piglets' liver and kidney: impact in fecal Enterococcus spp.?

Zinc and copper have been used as growth promotors in alternative to antibiotics in pig's diet. The aim was the ascertainment of the Zn and Cu concentrations in piglets' liver and kidney and their impact in the reduced susceptibility to Zn, Cu, and antibiotics in enterococci, used as microbiota biomarker. Zn and Cu were determined in the livers and kidneys of 43 piglets slaughtered in Portugal, by flame atomic absorption spectrometry.

Antibiotic Residues and Zinc Concentrations in the Livers and Kidneys of Portuguese Piglets-Relationship to Antibiotic and Zinc Resistance in Intestinal Escherichia coli.

Metal ions such as zinc and copper have been used as alternatives to antibiotics, to improve animal health and growth rates in pig farming. This study aims to determine antibiotic residues and Zn concentration in piglets' livers (n = 56) and kidneys (n = 60); and to examine the correlation between the use of Zn and antibiotics, and resistance to Zn and antibiotics of Escherichia coli isolated from piglets' faeces (n = 60). Samples were collected from randomly selected healthy piglets (n = 60); antibiotic residues were quantified by ultra-high-performance-liquid-chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ToF-MS); Zn was quantified using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS); microbiological methods were used for E.

Exploiting the L. Aqueous Extracts and Essential Oil as Potential Preservatives in Food, Feed, Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Industries.

sea fennel, is a facultative halophyte used in salads, soups, and sauces, as well as used to prepare medicinal juices and aqueous extracts (AE) to treat several ailments. Its essential oil (EO) is used as a spice and aromatizing. In this work, the nutritional (crude protein, fiber, lipids, and ashes content) and HPLC-PDA phenolic profiles were determined.

Efficacy of Whey Protein Film Incorporated with Portuguese Green Tea ( L.) Extract for the Preservation of Latin-Style Fresh Cheese.

Fresh cheese composition favors the growth of microorganisms and lipid oxidation, leading to a short shelf life. Whey protein concentrates can be used to produce active films in which green tea ( L.) extract, rich in bioactive compounds, namely catechins, can be incorporated.

Beneficial use of lime mud from kraft pulp industry for drying and microbiological decontamination of sewage sludge.

Sewage sludge (SS) is a global environmental, social, and economic problem that requires a sustainable management approach. Still, the production of other industrial wastes, such as lime mud (LM), has recently gained considerable attention to avoid landfilling. This work aims to present a new approach for converting SS and LM into value-added products within the circular economy perspective.

Plasmid-Encoded AmpC and Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases in Multidrug-Resistant Isolated from Piglets in Portugal.

Considering the concept of "One Health," the aim of this study was to determine susceptibility profiles of in piglets' intestinal microbiota from different farms in Portugal. Beyond antimicrobial susceptibility, the occurrence of multiple antibiotic resistance and detection of phenotypic/genotypic extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and plasmid mediated AmpC beta-lactamases (pAmpC) were done. From 10 different pig farms, 340 isolates were obtained from 75 feces samples.

Effect of Thermal Drying and Chemical Treatments with Wastes on Microbiological Contamination Indicators in Sewage Sludge.

This work aims to evaluate the microbiological contamination of sewage sludge (SS) collected in urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) from Portugal. Two types of SS were considered: urban mixed (UM) and from anaerobic digestion (AD). The two types of samples were characterized in relation to the main physical and chemical parameters, as well as the microbiological contamination ( and spp).

Studies of antimicrobial resistance in rare mycobacteria from a nosocomial environment.

Background: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous in nature and recognized agents of opportunistic infection, which is often aggravated by their intrinsic resistance to antimicrobials, poorly defined therapeutic strategies and by the lack of new drugs. However, evaluation of their prevalence in anthropogenic environments and the associated antimicrobial resistance profiles have been neglected. In this work, we sought to determine minimal inhibitory concentrations of 25 antimicrobials against 5 NTM isolates recovered from a tertiary-care hospital surfaces.

Study of rdxA and frxA genes mutations in metronidazole-resistant and -susceptible Helicobacter pylori clinical isolates from the central region of Portugal.

Objectives: Helicobacter pylori is one of the most prevalent global pathogens colonising an estimated 50% of the world's population. Although metronidazole (MTZ) is an important antibiotic playing a relevant role in various H. pylori eradication therapies, its frequent consumption results in an increased frequency of resistance with a consequent negative impact on treatment efficacy.

Optimization of levofloxacin-loaded crosslinked chitosan microspheres for inhaled aerosol therapy.

The aim of this work was the development of innovative levofloxacin-loaded swellable microspheres (MS) for the dry aerosol therapy of pulmonary chronicPseudomonas aeruginosainfections in Cystic Fibrosis patients. In a first step, a factorial design was applied to optimize formulations of chitosan-based MS with glutaraldehyde as crosslinker. After optimization, other crosslinkers (genipin, glutaric acid and glyceraldehyde) were tested.

Beyond Maastricht IV: are standard empiric triple therapies for Helicobacter pylori still useful in a South-European country?

Background: Empiric triple treatments for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are increasingly unsuccessful. We evaluated factors associated with failure of these treatments in the central region of Portugal.

Multidrug and extensive drug resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates from a Portuguese central hospital: 10-year survey.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates are increasing worldwide and greatly limit therapeutic options, particularly when considering extensively drug-resistant (XDR) or pandrug-resistant isolates. The resistance profile of P. aeruginosa isolates from a Portuguese central hospital was surveyed during 10 years (n=3,778).

Correlation of Helicobacter pylori genotypes with gastric histopathology in the central region of a South-European country.

Background: Outcome of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection results from interaction of multiple variables including host, environmental and bacterial-associated virulence factors.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the correlation of cagA, cagE, vacA, iceA and babA2 genotypes with gastric histopathology and disease phenotype in the central region of a South-European country.

Triple therapy with high-dose proton-pump inhibitor, amoxicillin, and doxycycline is useless for Helicobacter pylori eradication: a proof-of-concept study.

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori resistance to antibiotics is steadily increasing and multidrug-resistant strains are common and difficult to eliminate, mainly in countries where bismuth, tetracycline, furazolidone, and rifabutin are unavailable.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a triple therapy with proton-pump inhibitor (PPI), amoxicillin, and doxycycline in patients with multidrug-resistant H. pylori.

Acute lower respiratory illness in under-five children in Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil: prevalence and risk factors.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of acute lower respiratory illness and to identify associated factors among children less than five years of age in the city of Rio Grande, southern Brazil. Using a cross-sectional survey, a standardized household questionnaire was applied to mothers or guardians. Information was collected on household conditions, socioeconomic status, and parental smoking.

Metallo-beta-lactamase VIM-2 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from a cystic fibrosis patient.

The increased incidence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) along with an increase in its multidrug resistance makes therapeutic management very problematic. Careful identification and accurate studies of susceptibility to antibiotics are critical for improving therapeutic measures and for facilitating our understanding of the epidemiology of this pathogen. Fifteen P.

[Respiratory illnesses in children younger than 5 years of age in southern Brazil: the influence of the home environment].

Objective: To determine the prevalence of acute lower respiratory tract infections and the risk factors associated with living conditions among children up to 5 years of age in the city of Rio Grande, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out with 775 children. A standardized questionnaire was administered to the mother or other caregiver at the child's home in order to collect information on housing conditions, socioeconomic status, and smoking in the home.

Metallo-beta-lactamase VIM-2 in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Portugal.

Resistance to carbapenems is emerging, and it is a great problem to therapeutics. Three isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from a Portuguese hospital identified in urine and sputum, in 1995, presented a high-level resistance to imipenem (> 32 mg/L). Afterward, one isolate of P.