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Theoretical predictions for particle production cross sections and decays at colliders rely heavily on perturbative Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) calculations, expressed as an expansion in powers of the strong coupling constant \\(\\alpha_s\\). The current \\(\\mathcal{O}(1\\%)\\) uncertainty of the QCD coupling evaluated at the reference Z boson mass, \\(\\alpha_s(m_Z) = 0.1179 \\pm 0.0009\\), is one of the limiting factors to more precisely describe multiple processes at current and future colliders. A reduction of this uncertainty is thus a prerequisite to perform precision tests of the Standard Model as well as searches for new physics. This report provides a comprehensive summary of the state-of-the-art, challenges, and prospects in the experimental and theoretical study of the strong coupling. The current \\(\\alpha_s(m_Z)\\) world average is derived from a combination of seven categories of observables: (i) lattice QCD, (ii) hadronic \\(\\tau\\) decays, (iii) deep-inelastic scattering and parton distribution functions fits, (iv) electroweak boson decays, hadronic final-states in (v) \\(e^+e^-\\), (vi) e-p, and (vii) p-p collisions, and (viii) quarkonia decays and masses. We review the current status of each of these seven \\(\\alpha_s(m_Z)\\) extraction methods, discuss novel \\(\\alpha_s\\) determinations, and examine the averaging method used to obtain the world-average value. Each of the methods discussed provides a ``wish list'' of experimental and theoretical developments required in order to achieve the goal of a per-mille precision on \\(\\alpha_s(m_Z)\\) within the next decade.

In Brazil, the production of KPC-type carbapenemases in Enterobacteriales is endemic, leading to widespread use of polymyxins. In the present study, 502 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were evaluated for resistance to polymyxins, their genetic determinants and clonality, in addition to the presence of carbapenem resistance genes and evaluation of antimicrobial resistance. Resistance to colistin (polymyxin E) was evaluated through initial selection on EMB agar containing 4% colistin sulfate, followed by Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination by broth microdilution. The susceptibility to 17 antimicrobials was assessed by disk diffusion. The presence of bla KPC , bla NDM and bla OXA-48-like carbapenemases was investigated by phenotypic methods and conventional PCR. Molecular typing was performed by PFGE and MLST. Allelic variants of the mcr gene were screened by PCR and chromosomal mutations in the pmrA , pmrB , phoP , phoQ and mgrB genes were investigated by sequencing. Our work showed a colistin resistance frequency of 29.5% (n = 148/502) in K. pneumoniae isolates. Colistin MICs from 4 to >128 µg/mL were identified (MIC 50 = 64 µg/mL; MIC 90 >128 µg/mL). All isolates were considered MDR, with the lowest resistance rates observed for amikacin (34.4%), and 19.6% of the isolates were resistant to all tested antimicrobials. The bla KPC gene was identified in 77% of the isolates, in consonance with the high rate of resistance to polymyxins related to its use as a therapeutic alternative. Through XbaI -PFGE, 51 pulsotypes were identified. MLST showed 21 STs, with ST437, ST258 and ST11 (CC11) being the most prevalent, and two new STs were determined: ST4868 and ST4869. The mcr-1 gene was identified in 3  K. pneumoniae isolates. Missense mutations in chromosomal genes were identified, as well as insertion sequences in mgrB . Furthermore, the identification of chromosomal mutations in K. pneumoniae isolates belonging from CC11 ensures its success as a high-risk epidemic clone in Brazil and worldwide.

Similar to the New World explorers of the 16th and 17th century, microbiologists today find themselves at the edge of unknown territory. It is estimated that only 0.1–1% of microorganisms can be cultivated using current techniques; the vastness of microbial lifestyles remains to be explored. Because the microbial metagenome is the largest reservoir of genes that determine enzymatic reactions, new techniques are being developed to identify the genes that underlie many valuable chemical biotransformations carried out by microbes, particularly in pathways for biodegradation of recalcitrant and xenobiotic molecules. Our knowledge of catabolic routes built on research during the past 40 years is a solid basis from which to venture on to the little-explored pathways that might exist in nature. However, it is clear that the vastness of information to be obtained requires astute experimental strategies for finding novel reactions.

Background and Aims The rotavirus infection is a major cause of acute diarrhea in young children. The study aimed to evaluate the impact on healthcare and the economic burden associated with rotavirus gastroenteritis in infants, looking at incidence, disease severity and hospitalization costs. Methods We conducted an observational, retrospective study which included children younger than one year, hospitalized with rotavirus gastroenteritis in the Department of Pediatrics in “Grigore Alexandrescu” Emergency Children’s Hospital from January until June 2011. From the medical records we extracted: month of admission, age and sex, history of the disease, clinical characteristics, data on hospital course and costs of hospital stay. Vesikari severity score was calculated for each patient (score ≥11 = severe infection). Results We selected 429 infants hospitalized with acute diarrhea from a total of 11383 patients admitted in our department. The study included 247 infants with rotavirus gastroenteritis (2.17% of all children hospitalized). The percentage of rotavirus diarrhea was 57.6%. The highest incidence of rotavirus infection was recorded in January (78%). Mean age was 7 months and 62.3% of infants had severe diarrhea. Mean severity score was 11.3. Nosocomial infection represented 25.5% of cases. The mean duration of hospitalization was 6.4 days; the average cost for hospitalization was 581.3 euros/patient. Conclusions The rotavirus infection represented the etiology of acute diarrhea in more than half the cases. We report a high percentage of severe gastroenteritis and a significant percentage of nosocomial rotavirus diarrhea. The considerable medical costs should justify prevention through vaccination.