Search

Pseudomonas aeruginosa bloodstream infections (PA-BSIs) are a serious disease and a therapeutic challenge due to increasing resistance to carbapenems. Our objectives were to describe the prevalence and risk factors associated with carbapenem resistance (CR) and mortality in children with PA-BSI. A retrospective, multi-centre study was carried out, including patients aged <20 years with PA-BSI in four tertiary hospitals in Madrid (Spain) during 2010–2020. Risk factors for CR PA-BSIs and 30-day mortality were evaluated in a multi-variable logistic regression model. In total, 151 patients with PA-BSI were included, with a median age of 29 months (interquartile range: 3.5–87.1). Forty-five (29.8%) cases were CR, 9.9% multi-drug resistant and 6.6% extensively drug resistant. The prevalence of CR remained stable throughout the study period, with 26.7% (12/45) of CR mediated by VIM-type carbapenemase. Patients with BSIs produced by CR-PA were more likely to receive inappropriate empiric treatment (53.3% vs 5.7%, P <0.001) and to have been previously colonized by CR-PA (8.9% vs 0%, P =0.002) than BSIs caused by carbapenem-susceptible P. aeruginosa. CR was associated with carbapenem treatment in the previous month (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 11.15) and solid organ transplantation (aOR 7.64). The 30-day mortality was 23.2%, which was associated with mechanical ventilation (aOR 4.24), sepsis (aOR 5.72), inappropriate empiric antibiotic therapy (aOR 5.86), and source control as a protective factor (aOR 0.16). This study shows a concerning prevalence of CR in children with PA-BSIs, leading to high mortality. Inappropriate empiric treatment and sepsis were associated with mortality. The high prevalence of CR with an increased risk of inappropriate empiric treatment should be closely monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last few years the dental implants market has grown both in developed and developing countries, and is associated with high aesthetic expectations and well-being. Although the success rate of commercial implants is high, some problems associated with a lack of initial stability, marginal bony resorption, and periodontal health, remain, especially with immediate placement and loading. The market offers different designs of dental implants, but cylindrical and tapered devices that are fixed to the bone via an external thread are dominant. One lesser-known but potentially useful design is the expandable dental implant (EDI). This paper presents a review of expandable dental implants that encompasses a survey of the literature, published patents, and available commercial devices. We found 15 articles: prospective human trials (n = 4), human case reports (n = 3), published independent discussions of other articles (n = 2), three big animal trials (n = 3), and in silico studies (n = 3). A total of 73 published patents were found and two expandable dental implants are commercially available to date. We propose a classification system that differentiates between the expansion mechanism and the origin of the expanding action. Some expandable designs have been shown to provide good primary stability, but evidence to date is limited. We encourage future clinical and biomechanical studies to clarify and optimise the potential benefits of these implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Catalytic composite PVA membranes crosslinked with glutaraldehyde were prepared and used in form of disks in the acetalisation of phenylacetaldehyde and glycerol. Catalytic runs were carried out in batch reactors in order to study the effect of catalyst loading, crosslinking degree and hydrophilic/hydrophobic behavior. It was also preformed catalytic runs in pervaporation assisted catalytic membrane reactor to improve the efficiency of the process. The catalysts were characterized by thickness measurements, contact angles and swelling degree as well as by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Polymeric catalytic membranes were prepared in two different ways for the transesterification of soybean oil. In a first approach 1,5,7-Triazabicyclo [4.4.0] dec-5-ane (TBD) was anchored to a PVA membrane using epichlorohydrin as linking agent. Another attempt was to synthetize poly(N-vinylguanidine) avoiding the need of anchoring the TBD in a polymeric matrix. Catalytic runs were performed in jacket batch reactors and even though the results are still preliminary, they appeared to be promising. The catalysts were characterized by thickness measurements, swelling degree and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]