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Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with Nosocomial Respiratory Infections: A secondary analysis of the European Network for ICU-Related Respiratory Infections (ENIRRIs)
No full textBackground: Nosocomial respiratory infections (NRIs) are the most common complication among ICU patients, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa frequently identified. However, its global prevalence and associated risk factors remain unclear. Research question: Among ICU patients with NRI, what is the international prevalence of P. aeruginosa, and which clinical factors are associated with an increased risk? Study design and methods: This secondary analysis used data from the European Network for ICU-Related Respiratory Infections (ENIRRI), a prospective cohort study conducted across 12 countries from May 2016 to August 2019. Data from 1,059 NRI patients who underwent microbiological testing were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, imputation of missing data, LASSO regression, Elastic Net, Random Forest, and multivariable logistic regression were applied. Model performance was assessed using McFadden's R2 and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Results: The median patient age was 64 years (IQR 49-73), and 72% were male. Pathogens were identified in 67% (710/1059) of cases, primarily using blood cultures (78%). P. aeruginosa was detected in 14.5% (n=153), with antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in 5.1% (n=55). Among these, 19.6% were multidrug-resistant and 11.1% produced carbapenemase. The highest prevalence was observed in Germany, Argentina, and France. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) was the predominant diagnosis, accounting for 66% of P. aeruginosa cases. Septic shock and acute kidney injury were the most frequent complications. No significant mortality differences were found between patients with and without P. aeruginosa. Key risk factors included COPD Gold D, autoimmune disease, chronic kidney disease, and acute kidney injury on day 1. Interpretation: P. aeruginosa is a leading NRI pathogen, with prevalence varying across countries. A high proportion of patients received empirical anti-Pseudomonas treatment without confirmed infection by P. aeruginosa. Key risk factors identified for Pseudomonas NRI were COPD Gold D, autoimmune disease, chronic kidney disease, and acute kidney injury. These findings support the need for more personalized, evidence-based empirical therapy
Kinetic, thermodynamic, and process evaluation of Dracaena draco biomass fiber pyrolysis for sustainable biofuel production
No full textAs global demand for sustainable energy intensifies, the depletion of fossil fuels and environmental concerns drive the search for alternative, renewable resources. Biomass, particularly underutilized waste fibers, offers significant potential. This study investigates Dracaena draco waste fibers (DdwFs) as a promising feedstock for biofuel production through pyrolysis, a well-established thermochemical process.Using thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis at heating rates of 15, 25, and 30 °C min−1, the study examines the pyrolysis kinetics and thermodynamics of DdwFs. The Coats–Redfern method is applied to determine the kinetic triplet, activation energy (Ea), pre-exponential factor (A), and reaction mechanism, while Criado's master plot validates the model. The results reveal a multi-step degradation process involving hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. The Random Nucleation and Growth models (M15–M22) best describe the kinetics, with Ea values ranging from 47.7 to 239.8 kJ mol−1. Thermodynamic analysis confirms that pyrolysis is endothermic (ΔH > 0) and non-spontaneous (ΔG > 0), necessitating continuous energy input. These findings underscore the potential of DdwFs as a renewable biofuel source, providing valuable insights into the energy requirements and reaction mechanisms crucial for optimizing biomass conversion. This research offers a pathway for improving reactor designs and advancing sustainable biofuel production, contributing to the transition from fossil fuels to eco-friendly energy solutions
Una lectura de la poesia de Gladys Basagoitia
No full textEn este articulo se examinan los rasgos mas salientes de la poetica de la poeta peruana Gladys Basagoitia y al veaor, la funcion de la poesia para ella
Optimal treatment of preclinical cardiovascular disease: A narrative review with a focus on carotid artery stenosis
No full textAtherosclerosis is a chronic and progressive disease with a long preclinical (asymptomatic) period. The optimal management of patients with preclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) includes behavioral counselling and lifestyle measures. Weight loss, regular exercise, interventions to modify sleep distubances and control of the modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, dyslipidemia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus), as well as adoption of a Mediterranean diet including 5 portions of vegetables and fruits per day, are of utmost importance in these patients. Timely initiation of appropriate medical therapy reduces cardiovascular events and disease progression. Medical therapy should be administered: (1) to lower blood pressure <130/80 mmHg in patients with hypertension (and even <120/80 mmHg if tolerated), (2) to reduce glycated hemoglobin values <7.0% (equivalent to <53 mmol/mol), and, (3) to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol values <70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L) for high-risk individuals and to <55 mg/dL (<1.4 mmol/L) for very high-risk patients. The present narrative review discusses the optimal management of individuals with preclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD), with a focus on carotid artery stenosis
Enhancing “Ewiss” cheese production using autochthonous lactic acid bacteria and Propioniciclava flava as an alternative to commercial propionic acid bacteria
No full textThis study explored enhancing Ewiss cheese's regional identity by using native starter cultures to develop a "regional cultured Ewiss cheese" (RCEC). Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were previously isolated from local cheeses and selected from the University of Palermo culture collection (Streptococcus thermophilus strains RC-UNIPASAAFM00189, RC-UNIPASAAFM00233, RC-UNIPASAAFM00239, and RC-UNIPASAAFM00249), while Propioniciclava flava (RC-UNIPASAAFM01343) was isolated during this study. LAB were added as defined whey starters post-pasteurization; Pc. flava was introduced as an adjunct culture at pH 6.4. Microbial dynamics were monitored throughout cheese ripening. Thermophilic LAB dominated early stages; propionic acid bacteria increased after 9 months. Metataxonomics analysis revealed Streptococcus and Lactobacillus as dominant. Thirtyone volatile organic compounds were identified, with propionic acid most abundant. A control cheese using commercial cultures was produced for sensory comparison. Sensory analysis revealed that RCEC made with autochthonous cultures scored higher than the control in terms of overall acceptability. These results support Sicilian dairy diversification and valorisation
Clinical implementation of a quality assurance pipeline for an AI-driven auto-segmentation tool
No full textExperimental and numerical investigation of hollow fiber membrane modules for hemodialysis/hemodiafiltration
No full textSurficial N+ Charge Density as Key Factor for Inhibition of Pseudomonas Biofilm Formation in Non‐Leaching Quaternary Ammonium‐Modified Polydimethylsiloxane Coatings
No full text: Marine biofouling represents significant environmental and economic concerns, highlighting the need for sustainable and non-leaching antifouling materials. In this work, we developed cross-linked polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coatings functionalized with methyldimethoxysilanes bearing quaternary ammonium groups and alkyl side chains of two different lengths (C8 and C12). 29Si and 13C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (CP-MAS NMR) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the successful incorporation of silanes into the polymer matrix. Surface analysis was carried out by fluorescein assay, surface roughness, and contact angle measurements. Antifouling assays against Pseudomonas delhiensis PS27, a robust Gram-negative strain exhibiting strong resilience to environmental stresses, demonstrated notable biofilm inhibition in coatings with higher charge surface density without affecting the physiological fitness of planktonic cells. An observed minimum effective value of surface charge density (6.23 ± 0.76)·1016 N+/cm2 for biofilm inhibition was observed. These findings suggest a link between surficial N+ charge density and antifouling efficacy. The developed coatings represent a promising and durable strategy for environmentally friendly fouling prevention in marine and aquatic environments
Italy and Italianness
No full textOne of the key features of Italian literature is its sense of belonging to a temporal continuum, from the Middle Ages to contemporary times. This continuum has been mostly constructed retrospectively by Risorgimento patriots via a narrative that aimed to merge literary history and political discourse. By selecting the discussion on the core theme “Italy,” as well as the role of national bards within Italian literature, this chapter explores the extent to which Risorgimento construction has endured beyond the Risorgimento itself, and it questions whether this proved productive or not for the benefit of Italian literature. Italianness will prove a field of tensions rather than a self-preserving identitarian tool
