Evaluation of Zhuhai DL Biotech's BT24 automated blood culture system.

Introduction: For the microbiological diagnosis of bacteremia and fungemia, it is essential to use automated blood culture systems that guarantee good performance in the detection of microorganisms. We evaluated the BT24 system for blood cultures by comparing it with the BACTEC™ FX system in detection of positive spiked blood cultures (BC) and bottles, subsequent growth of the microorganism, and time to detection (TTD).

Methods: The parallel analysis of both systems was performed with 160 strains of 31 different species, each inoculated under the same conditions and simultaneously in six blood culture bottles.

Homoleptic ruthenium(II) complexes bearing imidazol(in)ium-2-dithiocarboxylate ligands: synthesis, characterization, and redox properties.

Five cationic ruthenium(II) chelates with the generic formula [Ru(SC·NHC)](PF) were readily obtained upon cleavage of the [RuCl(-cymene)] dimer with representative imidazol(in)ium-2-dithiocarboxylate zwitterions (NHC·CS) in the presence of KPF. The homoleptic complexes were fully characterized by various analytical techniques and the molecular structure of one of them was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. As expected, it featured an octahedral RuS core surrounded by three imidazol(in)ium rings and their nitrogen substituents.

Nickel(II)-Catalyzed Formal [3+2] Cycloadditions between Indoles and Donor-Acceptor Cyclopropanes.

This article describes the development of a nickel-catalyzed regio- and diastereoselective formal [3+2] cycloaddition between -substituted indoles and donor-acceptor cyclopropanes to synthesize cyclopenta[]indoles. Optimized reaction conditions provide the desired nitrogen-containing cycloadducts in up to 93% yield and 8.6:1 with complete regioselectivity.

Rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing (RAST) of blood cultures in enterobacteria with inducible chromosomal AmpC-type β-lactamase.

Introduction: Early and adequate treatment of bloodstream infections decreases patient morbidity and mortality. The objective is to develop a preliminary method for rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing (RAST) in enterobacteria with inducible chromosomal AmpC.

Methods: RAST was performed directly on spiked blood cultures of 49 enterobacteria with inducible chromosomal AmpC.

Community Emergence of Cefixime-Resistant Belonging to ST12 with Chromosomal AmpC Hyperproduction.

isolates that are resistant to cefixime and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, but apparently susceptible to cefuroxime, with no ESBL identified, were initially detected in Madrid from urine samples in 2019. Throughout 2020 and 2021, all cases of community UTI by from six health areas in Madrid were studied. A representative sample of 23 cases was selected for further studies.

Nickel, copper, and zinc dinuclear helicates: how do bulky groups influence their architecture?

The ligand design factors that may influence the isolation of metallosupramolecular helicates or mesocates still deserve to be investigated. In this sense, dinuclear nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) compounds were obtained by electrochemical synthesis using a family of five Schiff base ligands, HL ( = 1-5), derived from bisphenylmethane and functionalized with bulky -butyl groups in the periphery and ethyl groups in the spacer. Six of the new complexes were characterized by X-ray crystallography, thus demonstrating that the helicate structure is predominant in the solid state.

Aldiminium and 1,2,3-triazolium dithiocarboxylate zwitterions derived from cyclic (alkyl)(amino) and mesoionic carbenes.

The synthesis of zwitterionic dithiocarboxylate adducts was achieved by deprotonating various aldiminium or 1,2,3-triazolium salts with a strong base, followed by the nucleophilic addition of the in situ-generated cyclic (alkyl)(amino) or mesoionic carbenes (CAACs or MICs) onto carbon disulfide. Nine novel compounds were isolated and fully characterized by H and C NMR, FTIR, and HRMS techniques. Moreover, the molecular structures of two CAAC·CS and two MIC·CS betaines were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.

Application of Machine Learning to Characterize the Permeate Quality in Pilot-Scale Vacuum-Assisted Air Gap Membrane Distillation Operation.

Membrane distillation (MD) is a thermal desalination technique proposed for the valorization of residual brines that other operations such as reverse osmosis cannot treat. Previous studies have shown that vacuum-assisted air gap (V-AGMD) operation in commercial multi-envelope modules improves the performance of MD noticeably. However, the permeate quality at pilot scale has not been thoroughly characterized so far.

The facile alkylation and iodination of imidazol(in)ium salts in the presence of cesium carbonate.

The alkylation or iodination of imidazol(in)ium salts takes place readily in the presence of CsCO. The procedure is very easy to implement and provides facile and straightforward access to a wealth of C2-substituted azolium salts. Furthermore, a C2α alkylation is also feasible, which extends the chemistry of NHCs and weak bases to their NHO analogues.

"I Lay Awake at Night": Latino Family Caregivers' Experiences Covering Out-of-Pocket Costs When Caring for Someone Living With Dementia.

Background And Objectives: The financial burden of caregiving has received less research attention than physical and emotional costs. This is especially true for underserved ethnic minorities. Financial strain affects mental and physical health and is unequally distributed across caregivers of different races and ethnicities.

Ligand influence in electrocatalytic properties of Cu(II) triazole complexes for hydrogen peroxide detection in aqueous media.

In this work, electrocatalytic changes of Cu(II) triazole complexes (Cu(L)) resulting from inductive effects were evaluated to fabricate a sensor for hydrogen peroxide (HO) determination. Three copper(II) complexes with electronically differentiated ligands were synthesized by slow diffusion method and characterized by X-ray crystallography, Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR), UV-Vis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and voltammetry cyclic (CV). Cu(LOMe)2/GC, Cu(LBr)2/GC and Cu(LNO2)2/GC sensors were then prepared.

Two Synthetic Approaches to Coinage Metal(I) Mesocates: Electrochemical versus Chemical Synthesis.

We report two different approaches to isolate neutral and cationic mesocate-type metallosupramolecular architectures derived from coinage monovalent ions. For this purpose, we use a thiocarbohydrazone ligand, HL (), conveniently tuned with bulky phosphine groups to stabilize the M ions and prevent ligand crossing to achieve the selective formation of mesocates. The neutral complexes [Cu(HL)] (), [Ag(HL)] (), and [Au(HL)] () were prepared by an electrochemical method, while the cationic complexes [Cu(HL)](PF) (), [Cu(HL)](BF) (), [Ag(HL)](PF) (), [Ag(HL)](NO) (), and [Au(HL)]Cl () were obtained by using a metal salt as the precursor.

Hydrolysis of a carbamate triggered by coordination of metal ions.

The mechanism of carbamate activation promoted by different metal ions has been explored in this work. The reaction of the carbamate ligand HL with chloride metal salts (M = Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd) leads to the coordination of the metal ions to the ligand, causing hydrolysis of the systems. This self-immolation process results in mononuclear dihydrazone complexes, carbon dioxide and the release of alcohol species from the pendant groups of the carbamate ligand.

A solar energy desalination analysis tool, sedat, with data and models for selecting technologies and regions.

There is interest for desalination technologies powered by solar energy as arid areas are typically bestowed with good solar potential. In response to a US DOE call for solar desalination analysis tools, we developed an open-source solar energy desalination analysis tool, sedat, for techno-economical evaluation of desalination technologies and selection of regions with the highest potential for using solar energy to power desalination plants. It is expected that this software will simplify the planning, design, and valuation of solar desalination systems in the U.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Activity of Water-Soluble, Dual Anionic and Cationic Ruthenium-Arene Complexes Bearing Imidazol(in)ium-2-dithiocarboxylate Ligands.

An efficient synthetic protocol was devised for the preparation of five cationic ruthenium-arene complexes bearing imidazol(in)ium-2-dithiocarboxylate ligands from the [RuCl(-cymene)] dimer and of an NHC·CS zwitterion. The reactions proceeded cleanly and swiftly in dichloromethane at room temperature to afford the expected [RuCl(-cymene)(SC·NHC)]Cl products in quantitative yields. When the [RuCl(-cymene)] dimer was reacted with only of a dithiolate betaine under the same experimental conditions, a set of five bimetallic compounds with the generic formula [RuCl(-cymene)(SC·NHC)][RuCl(-cymene)] was obtained in quantitative yields.

Face masks in the general healthy population. Scientific and ethical issues.

In most European countries, facemasks use is recommended or mandatory in enclosed spaces where physical distancing is not possible. In Spain, this measure was first extended to open public spaces and later made mandatory regardless of whether or not the interpersonal safety distance can be kept. At present, there is no evidence on the effectiveness of universal masking of healthy people in the community to prevent infection with respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2.

Can seawater desalination be a win-win fix to our water cycle?

While we increasingly turn to desalination as a secure water supply, it is still perceived as an expensive and environmentally damaging solution, affordable only for affluent societies. In this contribution, we recast desalination from one of a last resort to a far-reaching, climate change mitigating, water security solution. First, we argue that the benefits of desalination go beyond the single-use value of the water produced.

Promoting population health with public-private partnerships: Where's the evidence?

Background: Although public-private partnerships have become common in the health sector, the evidence supporting their effectiveness is limited, and when the products or services provided by the private partner are harmful to health inherent conflicts of interest may be difficult to overcome. The objective of this study is to appraise the evidence describing process or effectiveness of public-private partnerships (PPPs) that aim to promote population health, and analyse how characteristics such as independence or competing interests influence the results of their evaluation.

Methods: We carried out a systematic search of Medline and Web of Science to identify scientific reports evaluating the process or effectiveness of PPPs that aim to promote population health.

Evaluation of Permeate Quality in Pilot Scale Membrane Distillation Systems.

In this work, the salinity of permeate obtained with membrane distillation (MD) in pilot scale systems was analyzed. Experiments were performed with three different spiral-wound commercial modules, one from Solar Spring with 10 m surface membrane area and two from Aquastill with 7.2 and 24 m.

Selective Metal-Assisted Assembly of Mesocates or Helicates with Tristhiosemicarbazone Ligands.

The effect of the ligand and/or metal-related factors on the formation of tristhiosemicarbazone metallosupramolecular complexes has been studied in this work. The crystal structures of zinc(II) and lead(II) tristhiosemicarbazone mesocates and a hydrolyzed cadmium(II) helicate let us better rationalize some factors involved in the selective formation of helicates or mesocates.

Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic evaluation of ruthenium-diphosphine complexes bearing xanthate ligands.

The reaction of [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 with potassium O-ethylxanthate and a set of nine representative Ph2P-X-PPh2 bidentate phosphines (dppm, dppe, dppp, dppb, dpppe, dppen, dppbz, dppf, and DPEphos) afforded monometallic [Ru(S2COEt)2(diphos)] chelates 1-9 in 62-96% yield. All the products were fully characterized by using various analytical techniques and their molecular structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. They featured a highly distorted octahedral geometry with a S-Ru-S bite angle close to 72° and P-Ru-P angles ranging between 73° and 103°.