Virucidal Action Mechanism of Alcohol and Divalent Cations Against Human Adenovirus.

Hygiene and disinfection practices play an important role at preventing spread of viral infections in household, industrial and clinical settings. Although formulations based on >70% ethanol are virucidal, there is a currently a need to reformulate products with much lower alcohol concentrations. It has been reported that zinc can increase the virucidal activity of alcohols, although the reasons for such potentiation is unclear.

Impact of a dry inoculum deposition on the efficacy of copper-based antimicrobial surfaces.

Background: The introduction of antimicrobial surfaces into healthcare environments is believed to impact positively on the rate of healthcare-associated infections by significantly decreasing pathogen presence on surfaces.

Aim: To report on a novel efficacy test that uses a dry bacterial inoculum to measure the microbicidal efficacy of antimicrobial surfaces.

Methods: An aerosolized dry inoculum of Staphylococcus aureus or Acinetobacter baumannii was deposited on copper alloy surfaces or a hospital-grade stainless-steel surface.

Use of a small-scale, portable test chamber for determining the bactericidal efficacy of aerosolized glycol formulations.

This study aimed to understand the efficacy and mechanisms of action of an aerosolized glycol-ethanol formulations against bacteria. We validated a small-scale in-house test chamber to determine the microbicidal efficacy of four aerosolized formulations combining dipropylene glycol and ethanol against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli embedded in alginate. The aerosolized glycol/ethanol formulation decreased bacterial viability by 3 log and was more efficacious than an ethanol only control formulation.

S100 negative granular cell tumor of the oral cavity: dermoscopy and surgical approach.

We report the case of a 47-year-old male patient with S100 negative granular cell tumor of the oral cavity, focusing on dermoscopic features as well as surgical approach, not previously reported in the literature. The study contributes to the literature on dermoscopy and surgical treatment for this tumor and provides a practical approach to differentiating non-neural granular cell tumors and granular cell tumors.

Astroglial role in the pathophysiology of status : an overview.

Status epilepticus is a medical emergency with elevated morbidity and mortality rates, and represents a leading cause of epilepsy-related deaths. Though status epilepticus can occur at any age, it manifests more likely in children and elderly people. Despite the common prevalence of epileptic disorders, a complete explanation for the mechanisms leading to development of self-limited or long lasting seizures (as in status epilepticus) are still lacking.

Astrocyte´s RAGE: More Than Just a Question of Mood.

Background: Adequate function of the nervous system depends on the balance of glianeuron complex interactions. Astrocytes, in particular, are key elements in this process due to the significant participation of these cells in essential properties of the nervous system such as neuroinflammation, regulation of neurotransmitters, release of gliotransmitters and control of synaptic plasticity, among others. Astrocytes express the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) which is very important in the recognition of endogenous molecules released in the context of infection, physiological stress or chronic inflammation.

Assessing the effects of tertiary treated wastewater reuse on a Mediterranean river (Llobregat, NE Spain): pathogens and indicators [corrected].

Purpose: Need, coupled with advances in water treatment technology, is motivating a growing interest in augmenting drinking water supplies with reclaimed water. Using reclaimed water to increase the flow of the Llobregat River upstream the water catchment site of the complex multi-step drinking water treatment plant of Sant Joan Despí has been considered. The impact of reclaimed water discharges on the load of E.