Health sector reform: priorities and packages

Using time-resolved fluorometry, a simple one-step dual-label immunometric assay has been developed, which allows simultaneous determination of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and free beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-hCG) in first-trimester maternal serum samples. Two monoclonal antibodies were biotinylated and immobilized onto the surface of streptavidin-coated microtitration plates, and used to capture PAPP-A and beta-hCG. respectively. Europium (Eu) and Samarium (Sm) chelates were conjugated to two additional monoclonal antibodies acting as detection antibodies for PAPP-A and beta-hCG. The assay was performed using a 4-h one-step format. The within-run precision with buffer-based calibrators was below 8% over the working range of PAPP-A (40-10000 mIU/l) and beta-hCG (7.3-525 micrograms/l) and no hook effect was observed. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were below 7.1% for serum samples. PAPP-A and beta-hCG concentrations measured by the dual assay in 39 first-trimester serum samples correlated excellently with those obtained by DELFIA single-label PAPP-A (r = 0.997) and the beta-hCG part (r = 0.993) of the DELFIA AFP/beta hCG dual-label assay.     

Barocalorimetric technique for monitoring pressurized copolymer reactors

The problem of on‐line estimation of the conversion and composition evolutions in a pressurized batch copolymer reactor with temperature and pressure measurements was addressed. The estimation model consisted of mass and energy balances with a pressure equation built from phase‐equilibrium considerations. The application of a nonlinear geometric estimation approach yielded the underlying solvability condition with physical meaning, a straightforward estimator construction, and a conventional‐like tuning procedure. The resulting barocalorimetric estimator was an on‐line dynamic measurement processor with a model‐based predictor and a measurement‐driven corrector, and whose implementation did not require the polymerization rates and heat‐transfer coefficient function dependencies. The technique was tested with a representative laboratory styrene–butadiene system. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 475–482, 2005     

A genetic algorithm for job-shop scheduling with operators enhanced by weak Lamarckian evolution and search space narrowing

The job-shop scheduling problem with operators is a very interesting problem that generalizes the classic job-shop problem in such a way that an operation must be algorithm to solve this problem considering makespan minimization. The genetic algorithm uses permutations with repetition to encode chromosomes and a schedule generation scheme, termed OG&T, as decoding algorithm. This combination guaranties that at least one of the chromosomes represents and optimal schedule and, at the samhat machines and operators are idle while an operation is available to be processed. To improve the quality of the schedules for large instances, we use Lamarckian evolution and modify the OG&T algorithm to further reduce the idle time of the machines and operators, in this case at the risk of leaving all optimal schedules out of the search space. We conducted a large experimental study showing that these improvements allow the genetic algorithm to reach high quality solutions in very short time, and so it is quite competitive with the current state-of-the-art methods.     

Line planning on tree networks with applications to the Quito Trolebús system

We discuss an optimization model for the line planning problem in public transport in order to minimize operation costs while guaranteeing a certain level of quality of service, in terms of available transport capacity. We analyze the computational complexity of this problem for tree network topologies as well as several categories of line operations that are important for the Quito Trolebús system. In practice, these instances can be solved quite well, and significant optimization potentials can be demonstrated.     

Twin screw oil-free wet compressor for compression–absorption cycle

The performance of a twin screw compressor operating under wet (two-phase) compression conditions in an ammonia–water compression absorption heat pump cycle is investigated both theoretically and experimentally. The paper reports on the influence of the location of liquid intake or, depending what applies, injection angle and mass flow rate of the injected liquid on compressor performance. Labyrinth seals separate the oil-free process side from oil lubricated bearing housing. Labyrinth seals leakage is modelled and its impact on performance is theoretically and experimentally investigated. The need for liquid injection from the discharge side to obtain acceptable performance is discussed based on experimental results.     

Genomic and Immunological Characterization of Hypermucoviscous Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae ST25 Isolates from Northwest Argentina

In recent years, an increase in the prevalence hypermucoviscous carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae with sequence type 25 (ST25) was detected in hospitals of Tucuman (Northwest Argentina). In this work, the virulence and the innate immune response to two K. pneumoniae ST25 strains (LABACER 01 and LABACER 27) were evaluated in a murine model after a respiratory challenge. In addition, comparative genomics was performed with K. pneumoniae LABACER01 and LABACER27 to analyze genes associated with virulence. Both LABACER01 and LABACER27 were detected in the lungs of infected mice two days after the nasal challenge, with LABACER01 counts significantly higher than those of LABACER27. Only LABACER01 was detected in hemocultures. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and albumin levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were significantly higher in mice challenged with LABACER01 than in LABACER27-infected animals, indicating greater lung tissue damage. Both strains increased the levels of neutrophils, macrophages, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, KC, MCP-1, IFN-γ, and IL-17 in the respiratory tract and blood, with the effect of LABACER01 more marked than that of LABACER27. In contrast, LABACER27 induced higher levels of IL-10 in the respiratory tract than LABACER01. Genomic analysis revealed that K. pneumoniae LABACER01 and LABACER27 possess virulence factors found in other strains that have been shown to be hypervirulent, including genes required for enterobactin (entABCDEF) and salmochelin (iroDE) biosynthesis. In both strains, the genes of toxin–antitoxin systems, as well as regulators of the expression of virulence factors and adhesion genes were also detected. Studies on the genetic potential of multiresistant K. pneumoniae strains as well as their cellular and molecular interactions with the host are of fundamental importance to assess the association of certain virulence factors with the intensity of the inflammatory response. In this sense, this work explored the virulence profile based on genomic and in vivo studies of hypermucoviscous carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae ST25 strains, expanding the knowledge of the biology of the emerging ST25 clone in Argentina.     

Evaluation and Characterization of Post-Stroke Lung Damage in a Murine Model of Cerebral Ischemia

After stroke and other brain injuries, there is a high incidence of respiratory complications such as pneumonia or acute lung injury. The molecular mechanisms that drive the brain-lung interaction post-stroke have not yet been elucidated. We performed transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and sham surgery on C57BL/6J mice and collected bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), serum, brain, and lung homogenate samples 24 h after surgery. A 92 proteins-panel developed by Olink Proteomics^® was used to analyze the content in BALF and lung homogenates. MCAO animals had higher protein concentration levels in BALF than sham-controls, but these levels did not correlate with the infarct volume. No alteration in alveolar-capillary barrier permeability was observed. A total of 12 and 14 proteins were differentially expressed between the groups (FDR < 0.1) in BALF and lung tissue homogenates, respectively. Of those, HGF, TGF-α, and CCL2 were identified as the most relevant to this study. Their protein expression patterns were verified by ELISA. This study confirmed that post-stroke lung damage was not associated with increased lung permeability or cerebral ischemia severity. Furthermore, the dysregulation of HGF, TGF-α, and CCL2 in BALF and lung tissue after ischemia could play an important role in the molecular mechanisms underlying stroke-induced lung damage.     

Passive elastic mechanism to mimic fish-muscle action in anguilliform swimming

Swimmers in nature use body undulations to generate propulsive and manoeuvring forces. The anguilliform kinematics is driven by muscular actions all along the body, involving a complex temporal and spatial coordination of all the local actuations. Such swimming kinematics can be reproduced artificially, in a simpler way, by using the elasticity of the body passively. Here, we present experiments on self-propelled elastic swimmers at a free surface in the inertial regime. By addressing the fluid–structure interaction problem of anguilliform swimming, we show that our artificial swimmers are well described by coupling a beam theory with the potential flow model of Lighthill. In particular, we show that the propagative nature of the elastic wave producing the propulsive force is strongly dependent on the dissipation of energy along the body of the swimmer.     

Integration of hardware and software in a high-performance laboratory reactor

The assembly of a stirred tank reactor capable of precise reaction temperature control is described. The unit allows easy on-line determination of the thermal effect and calculation of heat transfer coefficients and heat capacities. Construction elements are standard, low cost, and high quality. Temperature control is achieved by a heating-cooling loop integrated to the reactor jacket and a cascade control procedure. An important feature of the equipment is the integration of the data acquisition system with the supervisory control system that allows the capability of an advanced strategy for process control and data acquisition. The capability of the reaction system is demonstrated for the microemulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate, by the use of batch and isothermal operational modes. The course of the reaction is followed on-line by the temperature variation of the jacket. Procedures are described for the calibration of the unit. The reactor developed is versatile, is easy to configure and extend, is low cost, and can compete advantageously with commercial reactor units such as the Mettler RC1. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Profiling of the Bacterial Microbiota along the Murine Alimentary Tract

Here, the spatial distribution of the bacterial flora along the murine alimentary tract was evaluated using high throughput sequencing in wild-type and Tff3-deficient (Tff3^KO) animals. Loss of Tff3 was linked to increased dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis. This systematic study shows the results of 13 different regions from the esophagus to the rectum. The number of bacterial species (richness) increased from the esophagus to the rectum, from 50 to 200, respectively. Additionally, the bacterial community structure changed continuously; the highest changes were between the upper/middle and lower gastrointestinal compartments when comparing adjacent regions. Lactobacillus was the major colonizer in the upper/middle gastrointestinal tract, especially in the esophagus and stomach. From the caecum, a drastic diminution of Lactobacillus occurred, while members of Lachnospiraceae significantly increased. A significant change occurred in the bacterial community between the ascending and the transverse colon with Bacteroidetes being the major colonizers with relative constant abundance until the rectum. Interestingly, wild-type and Tff3^KO animals did not show significant differences in their bacterial communities, suggesting that Tff3 is not involved in alterations of intraluminal or adhesive microbiota but is obviously important for mucosal protection, e.g., of the sensitive stem cells in the colonic crypts probably by a mucus plume.