Susceptibility of Gram-negative bacteria from blood cultures assessed by a rapid antimicrobial susceptibility assay, the VITEK® Reveal™: a preliminary study.

The timely administration of the effective therapy is an important factor for the favourable outcome of patients with sepsis. In this study, we evaluated a new rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) method, the Vitek®Reveal system, to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of 44 Gram-negative bacteria randomly isolated from blood. The results show a mean turnaround time of 5.

Olfactory and gustatory chemical sensor systems in the African turquoise killifish: Insights from morphology.

Smell and taste are extensively studied in fish species as essential for finding food and selecting mates while avoiding toxic substances and predators. Depending on the evolutionary position and adaptation, a discrete variation in the morphology of these sense organs has been reported in numerous teleost species. Here, for the first time, we approach the phenotypic characterization of the olfactory epithelium and taste buds in the African turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri), a model organism known for its short lifespan and use in ageing research.

Memory changes in patients with hippocampal sclerosis submitted to surgery to treat mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

Purpose: This study was performed with the purpose of analysing the relationship between epileptological and surgical variables and post-operative memory performance, following surgery for refractory mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) due to hippocampal sclerosis (HS).

Methods: Logical memory (LM) and visual memory (VM) scores for immediate and late follow-up of 201 patients operated for MTLE/HS were reviewed. Scores were standardized with a control group of 54 healthy individuals matched for age and education.

Fasting duration impacts ribosome protein 6 phosphorylation in zebrafish brain: New insights in aquatic organisms' welfare.

Background: Short- or mid-term fasting, full or partial, triggers metabolic response known to have in turn health effects in an organism. At central level, the metabolic stimulus triggered by fasting is known to be perceived firstly by hypothalamic neurons. In the field of neuroscience, ribosomal protein S6 (S6) phosphorylation is commonly used as a readout of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 signalling activation or as a marker for neuronal activity.

Odonate diversity of a highly urbanised region: An annotated checklist of the damselflies and dragonflies (Insecta, Odonata) of Lario and Brianza (Lombardy, N Italy).

Background: Given their sensitivity to environmental alterations, odonates act as reliable bioindicators to assess the effects of changes in freshwater ecosystems and associated terrestrial habitats. The region comprised between Lario and Brianza (Provinces of Como, Lecco and Monza and Brianza - Lombardy, N Italy) is one of the most urbanised of the Italian peninsula and large parts of its territory have been heavily altered, especially at low elevation. Despite this pervasive anthropogenisation, the area is still characterised by a considerable variety of freshwater habitats, possibly harbouring rich odonate communities, which, however, have been never thoroughly investigated.

Influence of Transportation on Stress Response and Cellular Oxidative Stress Markers in Juvenile Meagre ().

In aquaculture, the transportation of live fish is a crucial but stress-inducing practice, necessitating a thorough understanding of its impact on fish welfare. This study aimed to assess the physiological stress response of meagre () juveniles during a 24 h commercial transport by quantifying muscle cortisol levels using a specific radioimmunoassay. Additionally, an immunohistochemical approach was used to detect and localize the cellular distribution of oxidative-stress-related biomarkers within various tissues and organs.

Clinical validation and diagnostic accuracy of Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC compared to In-DTPA-octreotide in patients with neuroendocrine tumours: the LACOG 0214 study.

Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC is an easily available and cheaper radionuclide that could be used for somatostatin-receptor-based imaging of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC compared toIn-DTPA-octreotide in patients (pts) with NETs. We performed a prospective diagnostic study including pts with biopsy-confirmed NET and at least one visible lesion at conventional imaging.

How Do Alternative Protein Resources Affect the Intestine Morphology and Microbiota of Atlantic Salmon?

The availability and cost of fishmeal constitute a bottleneck in Atlantic salmon production expansion. Fishmeal is produced from wild fish species and constitutes the major feed ingredient in carnivorous species such as the Atlantic salmon. These natural stocks are at risk of depletion and it is therefore of major importance to find alternative protein sources that meet the nutritional requirements of the Atlantic salmon, without compromising the animals' health.

Motor and cognitive outcomes of neonates with low birth weight in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Data on the outcomes of preterm newborns in South American countries are scarce. Given the great effect of low birth weight (LBW) and/or prematurity on children's neurodevelopment, it is extremely necessary to conduct studies on these phenomena in greater depth in more heterogeneous populations such as those ones from countries with limited resources.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search on databases including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for articles published in Portuguese and English up to March 2021 involving children born and evaluated in Brazil.

The Impact of a Precision-Based Exercise Intervention in Childhood Hematological Malignancies Evaluated by an Adapted Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test.

During cancer treatments in childhood hematological malignancies, reduced exercise tolerance is one of the main hardships. Precision-based training programs help children, adolescents, and young adults and their families to resume regular physical activity, exercise, and sports once they return to their communities after the intensive phases spent in hospital. This study was aimed at verifying whether an intermittent recovery test, the Yo-Yo AD, could provide a simple and valid way to evaluate an individual’s capacity to perform repeated intense exercise and to follow up on the impact of tailored exercise in children, adolescents, and young adults with hematological malignancies.

Zika virus congenital microcephaly severity classification and the association of severity with neuropsychomotor development.

Background: Zika virus infection during pregnancy is linked to birth defects, most notably microcephaly, which is associated with neurodevelopmental delays.

Objective: The goals of the study were to propose a method for severity classification of congenital microcephaly based on neuroradiologic findings of MRI scans, and to investigate the association of severity with neuropsychomotor developmental scores. We also propose a semi-automated method for MRI-based severity classification of microcephaly.

Modeling the Life Cycle of the Intramitochondrial Bacterium " Midichloria mitochondrii" Using Electron Microscopy Data.

" Midichloria mitochondrii" is a Gram-negative bacterium that lives in strict intracellular symbiosis with the hard tick Ixodes ricinus, forming one of the most intriguing endosymbiosis described to date. The bacterium is capable of durably colonizing the host mitochondria, a peculiar tropism that makes ". Midichloria mitochondrii" a very interesting tool to study the physiology of these cellular organelles.

Effects of non-invasive respiratory support on sleep in preterm infants evaluated by actigraphy.

Objective: Few studies have evaluated sleep in preterm infants under non-invasive ventilatory support in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in the sleep of premature babies.

Material And Methods: Crossover study in a NICU.

Increased Glucose Activity in Subgenual Anterior Cingulate and Hippocampus of High Performing Older Adults, Despite Amyloid Burden.

Background: Individuals at 80 years of age or above with exceptional memory are considered SuperAgers (SA), an operationalized definition of successful cognitive aging. SA showed increased thickness and altered functional connectivity in the anterior cingulate cortex as a neurobiological signature. However, their metabolic alterations are yet to be uncovered.

Muscle Cortisol Levels, Expression of Glucocorticoid Receptor and Oxidative Stress Markers in the Teleost Fish Exposed to Transport Stress.

Fish commercial transport is an ordinary practice in the aquaculture industry. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a 48 h transport stress on stress response of meagre () juveniles. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) and Real-Time PCR were used to evaluate muscle cortisol levels and to assess glucocorticoid receptor () gene expression in fish muscle and liver, respectively.

Left Hemisphere Lateralization of Epileptic Focus Can Be More Frequent in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Surgical Patients with No Consensus Associated with Depression Lateralization.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is considered to be the most common form of epilepsy, and it has been seen that most patients are refractory to antiepileptic drugs. A strong association of this ailment has been established with psychiatric comorbidities, primarily mood and anxiety disorders. The side of epileptogenic may contribute to depressive and anxiety symptoms; thus, in this study, we performed a systematic review to evaluate the prevalence of depression in TLE in surgical patients.

Identification of a Novel Strain With Insecticidal Activity Against Larvae.

Bacterial species able to produce proteins that are toxic against insects have been discovered at the beginning of the last century. However, up to date only two of them have been used as pesticides in mosquito control strategies targeting larval breeding sites: var. and .

Effect of individual- versus collective-based nutritional-lifestyle intervention on the atherogenic index of plasma in children with obesity: a randomized trial.

Background: The Atherogenic Index of Plasma is a predictive biomarker of atherosclerosis in adults but there is a lack of studies in paediatric population aimed at evaluating the longitudinal changes of the AIP and of the cardiometabolic blood profile related to nutritional interventions. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of individual- versus collective-based nutritional-lifestyle intervention on the Atherogenic Index of Plasma in schoolchildren with obesity.

Methods: One-hundred sixty-four children aged 6-12 years with Body Mass Index z-score > 2 referred to the Paediatric Obesity Clinic, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy, were consecutively enrolled and randomized to undergo to either an individual- (n = 82) or a collective- (n = 82) based intervention promoting a balanced normo-caloric diet and physical activity.

Salinity, Temperature and Ammonia Acute Stress Response in Seabream () Juveniles: A Multidisciplinary Study.

The present study aimed to investigate the acute response of gilthead seabream () juveniles exposed to temperature, salinity and ammonia stress. Radioimmunoassay was used to evaluate cortisol levels, whereas insulin-like growth factors ( and ), myostatin (), heat-shock protein 70 () and glucocorticoid receptor () gene expression was assessed trough Real-Time PCR. The presence and localization of IGF-I and HSP70 were investigated by immunohistochemistry.

Epilepsy after congenital zika virus infection: EEG and neuroimaging features.

Purpose: To describe epilepsy after congenital Zika virus infection (ZIKV) and its relationship with structural neuroimaging findings.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in children (aged 13-42 months) who were born with microcephaly due to ZIKV infection between 2015-2017. Patients underwent a brain imaging scan (magnetic resonance) and a video-EEG study.

Precision-based exercise as a new therapeutic option for children and adolescents with haematological malignancies.

Children and adolescents with haematological malignancies (PedHM) are characterized by a severe loss of exercise ability during cancer treatment, lasting throughout their lives once healed and impacting their social inclusion prospects. The investigation of the effect of a precision-based exercise program on the connections between systems of the body in PedHM patients is the new frontier in clinical exercise physiology. This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of 11 weeks (3 times weekly) of combined training (cardiorespiratory, resistance, balance and flexibility) on the exercise intolerance in PedHM patients.

How Different Stocking Densities Affect Growth and Stress Status of Early Stage Larvae.

In the present study, a multidisciplinary approach was used in order to evaluate growth, muscle development, and stress status in Siberian sturgeon larvae at schooling (T1) and complete yolk sac absorption (T2), reared at three stocking densities (low, medium, and high). Larvae growth, morphological muscle development, and whole-body cortisol levels were assessed. The expression of genes involved in the growth process ( and ), in the myogenesis (), and in the regulation of cellular stress (, , , and ) was analyzed using a quantitative PCR.

Productive Results, Oxidative Stress and Contaminant Markers in European Sea Bass: Conventional vs. Organic Feeding.

In the present study European sea bass () subjected to two different diets (organic vs. conventional) were evaluated in terms of growing performances, oxidative stress, and contaminant markers. Growing performances were evaluated using biometric measures and condition factor (K), whereas insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I and IGF-II) levels were assessed trough Real-Time PCR analysis.