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In this study, different extraction methods and conditions were used for the extraction of antioxidants from brown macroalgae Fucus spiralis. The extraction methodologies used were ultrasound-assisted extraction (ultrasonic bath and ultrasonic probe), extraction with a vortex, extraction with an Ultra-Turrax® homogenizer, and high-pressure-assisted extraction. The extracts were analyzed for their total phenolic content (TPC) and their antioxidant activity, and evaluated through the 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH) free radical scavenging method and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Ultrasonic probe-assisted extraction yielded the highest values of TPC (94.78–474.16 mg gallic acid equivalents/g extract). Regarding the antioxidant activity, vortex-assisted extraction gave the best DPPH results (IC50 1.89–16 µg/mL), while the highest FRAP results were obtained using the Ultra-Turrax® homogenizer (502.16–1188.81 μmol ascorbic acid equivalents/g extract). For each extraction method, response surface methodology was used to analyze the influence of the experimental conditions “extraction time” (t), “biomass/solvent ratio” (R), “solvent” (S, water % in water/ethanol mixture), and “pressure” (P) on TPC, DPPH, and FRAP of the F. spiralis extracts. In general, higher TPC content and higher antioxidant capacity (lower IC50 and higher FRAP) were obtained with higher R, t, and P, and lower S (higher ethanol %). The model regarding the combined effects of independent variables t, R, and S on the FRAP response values for vortex-assisted extractions best fitted the experimental data (R2 0.957), with optimal extraction conditions of t = 300 s, R = 50 g, and S = 25%.

Due to the high consumption of fat-rich processed foods, efforts are being done to reduce their saturated fat (SFA) contents and replace it with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), creating a necessity to find alternative PUFA sources. Macroalgae, being a promising natural source of healthy food, may be such an alternative. The fatty acid (FA) profile of Fucus spiralis, Bifurcaria bifurcata, Ulva lactuca, and Saccorhiza polyschides were determined through direct transesterification and their seasonal variation was studied. F. spiralis showed the highest FA content overall, B. bifurcata presented the higher PUFA amounts, and U. lactuca and S. polyschides the higher SFA. The production of FA was shown to be influenced by the seasons. Spring and summer seemed to induce the FA production in F. spiralis and B. bifurcata while in U. lactuca the same was verified in winter. U. lactuca presented a ω6/ω3 ratio between 0.59 and 1.38 while B. bifurcata presented a ratio around 1.31. The study on the seasonal variations of the macroalgal FA profile can be helpful to understand the best season to yield FA of interest, such as ALA, EPA, and DHA. It may also provide valuable information on the best culturing conditions for the production of desired FAs.

Abstract Macroalgae‐associated bacteria have already proved to be an interesting source of compounds with therapeutic potential. Accordingly, the main aim of this study was to characterize Asparagopsis armata‐associated bacteria community and evaluate their capacity to produce substances with antitumor and antimicrobial potential. Bacteria were selected according to their phenotype and isolated by the streak plate technique. The identification was carried out by the RNA ribosomal 16s gene amplification through PCR techniques. The antimicrobial activities were evaluated against seven microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans) by following their growth through spectrophotometric readings. Antitumor activities were evaluated in vitro on human cell lines derived from hepatocellular (HepG‐2) and breast carcinoma (MCF‐7) using the MTT method. The present work identified a total of 21 bacteria belonging to the genus Vibrio, Staphylococcus, Shewanella, Alteromonadaceae, Bacillus, Cobetia, and Photobacterium, with Vibrio being the most abundant (42.86%). The extract of Shewanella sp. ASP 26 bacterial strain induced the highest antimicrobial activity, namely against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus with an IC50 of 151.1 and 346.8 μg/mL, respectively. These bacteria (Shewanella sp.) were also the ones with highest antitumor potential, demonstrating antiproliferative activity on HepG‐2 cells. Asparagopsis armata‐associated bacteria revealed to be a potential source of compounds with antitumor and antibacterial activity.

Fucus spiralis is an edible brown seaweed (SW) found in the Portuguese Coast. It has been reported to have high antioxidant activity, which may elicit a potential use for the food industry. However, little information is available on how the SW behaves during the digestive process and how the freeze-drying process might affect the bioaccessibility of the different compounds. Therefore, antioxidant activity, total polyphenols, lipid, and fatty acid contents were measured before and after in vitro simulation of the human digestive process, both in fresh and freeze-dry SW. F. spiralis had a lipid content of 3.49 ± 0.3% of dry weight (DW), which is a usual amount described for this SW genus. The total lipid bioaccessibility was 12.1 ± 0.1%. The major omega-3 fatty acid detected was eicosapentaenoic acid, 7.5 ± 0.1%, with a bioaccessibility percentage of 13.0 ± 1.0%. Four different methods—total phenolic content (TPC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH)—were used to assess the antioxidant activity of F. spiralis. The bioaccessibility of the antioxidants studied, ranged between 42.7% and 59.5%, except the bioaccessibility of polyphenols in freeze-dried SW (23.0% ± 1.0%), suggesting that the freeze-drying process reduces the bioaccessibility of these compounds.

Cancer and infectious diseases continue to be a major public health problem, and new drugs are necessary. As marine organisms are well known to provide a wide range of original compounds, the aim of this study was to investigate the bioactivity of the main constituents of the cosmopolitan red alga, Sphaerococcus coronopifolius. The structure of several bromoditerpenes was determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature data. Five molecules were isolated and characterized which include a new brominated diterpene belonging to the rare dactylomelane family and named sphaerodactylomelol (1), along with four already known sphaerane bromoditerpenes (2–5). Antitumor activity was assessed by cytotoxicity and anti-proliferative assays on an in vitro model of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2 cells). Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against four pathogenic microorganisms: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Compound 4 exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against S. aureus (IC50 6.35 µM) and compound 5 the highest anti-proliferative activity on HepG-2 cells (IC50 42.9 µM). The new diterpene, sphaerodactylomelol (1), induced inhibition of cell proliferation (IC50 280 µM) and cytotoxicity (IC50 720 µM) on HepG-2 cells and showed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus (IC50 96.3 µM).

O principal escopo é examinar, com base em novas evidências, a evolução das finanças públicas de Minas Gerais na República Velha, com destaque para o lugar do dispêndio com a infraestrutura de transportes. Também se discute a vigência de conflito entre preocupação com o equilíbrio orçamentário e políticas de desenvolvimento. Na primeira seção são analisadas as receitas e despesas estaduais, com ênfase na classificação dos comportamentos assumidos por essas variáveis ao longo do período e na determinação das principais rubricas que as compunham. Também é examinada a evolução da dívida fundada, assim como sua correlação com as despesas públicas. A segunda seção analisa especificamente os gastos com a infraestrutura de transportes, nomeadamente ferrovias e estradas de rodagem. Primeiro o relacionamento entre o crescimento da malha ferroviária e as despesas do Estado com garantias de juros, subvenções e empréstimos a companhias ferroviárias. Em seguida a evolução dos gastos com rodovias.

Surface-associated marine bacteria are an interesting source of new secondary metabolites. The aim of this study was the isolation and identification of epiphytic bacteria from the marine brown alga, Bifurcaria bifurcata, and the evaluation of the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of bacteria extracts. The identification of epiphytic bacteria was determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Bacteria extracts were obtained with methanol and dichloromethane (1:1) extraction. The antioxidant activity of extracts was performed by quantification of total phenolic content (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Antimicrobial activities were evaluated against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans. A total of 39 Bifurcaria bifurcata-associated bacteria were isolated and 33 were identified as Vibrio sp. (48.72%), Alteromonas sp. (12.82%), Shewanella sp. (12.26%), Serratia sp. (2.56%), Citricoccus sp. (2.56%), Cellulophaga sp. (2.56%), Ruegeria sp. (2.56%) and Staphylococcus sp. (2.56%). Six (15.38%) of the 39 bacteria Bifurcaria bifurcata-associated bacteria presented less than a 90% Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) match, and some of those could be new. The highest antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity (against B. subtilis) was exhibited by strain 16 (Shewanella sp.). Several strains also presented high antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, mainly belonging to Alteromonas sp. and Vibrio sp. There were no positive results against fungi and Gram-negative bacteria. Bifurcaria bifurcata epiphytic bacteria were revealed to be excellent sources of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds.

Chitin was extracted from Polybius henslowii, a swimming crab, captured in large quantities throughout the Portuguese coast by purse seine vessels as bycatch. After standard chitin extraction procedures, water-soluble chitosan products were obtained via two different methods: (1) N-acetylation with the addition of acetic anhydride and (2) a reaction with hydrogen peroxide. The chemical structure and molecular weight of chitosan derivatives, water-soluble chitosan (WSC) and chitooligosaccharides (COS), were confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Antioxidant and metal chelation activities were evaluated, and the growth inhibition capacity was tested on four phytopatogens. The chitooligosaccharides from pereopods (pCOS) and shell body parts (sCOS) inhibited all fungal species tested, particularly Cryphonectria parasitica with 84.7% and 85.5%, respectively. Both radical scavenging and antifungal activities proved to be dose-dependent. Chitooligosaccharides with a low molecular weight (2.7, 7.4, and 10.4 Kg·mol−1) showed the highest activity among all properties tested. These results suggested that chitosan derivatives from P. henslowii raw material could potentially be used against phytopathogens or as ingredient in cosmetics and other products related to oxidative stress.

Nowadays, consumers demand high quality food products with an extended shelf-life without chemical additives. Edible coatings (EC) containing natural compounds are a promising preservation technology for raw seafood without compromising fresh-like appeal and nutritional content. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of Thunnus obesus skin gelatin-based EC containing Codium spp. or Fucus vesiculosus extracts on raw tuna preservation. Three gelatin-based EC (gelatin (5 %) + glycerol (25 %); gelatin (5 %) + Codium spp. (1 %) + glycerol (25 %); gelatin (5 %) + Fucus vesiculosus (1 %) + glycerol (25 %)) were applied directly on the surface of tuna fillets. Functional properties of gelatin and gelatin-based EC containing seaweed extracts were also studied. The gelatin was extracted by an acid-swelling process in the presence/absence of pepsin, followed by subsequent heating/refrigeration, after a pre-treatment with NaOH. The type of acid, temperature and concentration of NaOH greatly influence the process yield. The higher extraction yield was achieved using acetic acid in the presence of pepsin by subsequent refrigeration, especially when skins were previously treated with NaOH (0.2 M). Tuna quality was assessed over 12 days of storage at 4 ± 1 °C in terms of chemical and microbial indices. Results showed that tuna skin gelatin-based EC avoids tuna deterioration. Microbial growth, assessed by total viable counts, and total volatile basic nitrogen were maintained below the maximum limits recommended, contrarily to the control. Additionally, the use of EC increased the stability of red colour during storage.

AbstractBackground: Iron deficiency is one of the leading causes of anaemia, with those most affected being children and women of childbearing age, in Brazil there is a scarcity of studies involving the local prevalence of anaemia. Aim: To evaluate anaemia and associated factors in schoolchildren in Santa Cruz do Sul through the analysis of biochemical and haematological markers and parasitological examination of faeces. Subjects and methods: School children from 10 to 12 years of age were evaluated through complete blood count, serum ferritin, C-reactive protein and stool parasitological examination, as well as socio-demographic characteristics and prophylaxis with ferrous sulphate in childhood. Results: It was found that 13.0% of the population was anaemic, girls were very slightly overrepresented among the anaemic children. Only 5.3% had altered haematocrit levels; 26.6% had low Mean Corpuscular Volume levels; 18.4% had low ferritin levels; 2.4% had increased C-reactive protein levels, and 21.7% had altered eosinophils. As for the socioeconomic level, classes A2 and D presented lower haemoglobin levels, as well as class D presenting lower ferritin levels, although without statistical significance. Only 6.0% of the population presented iron-deficiency anaemia and 46.0% of the schoolchildren had used ferrous sulphate supplementation in childhood. Conclusion: The prevalence of anaemia in the studied municipality is low, probably due to the high municipal human development index. Epidemiological studies are essential to characterise the population in a systematic form, to prevent future problems.

Infectious diseases continue to be a major public health problem and consequently there is perpetual need for new drugs. In this current study, the antimicrobial potential of isolated fractions from Bifurcaria bifurcata collected in Peniche coast was evaluated. Nine fractions of Bifurcaria bifurcata dichloromethane extracts were produced by Vacuum Liquid Chromatography (VLC) using cyclohexane with increasing amounts of 10% of ethyl acetate. All of the VLC fractions were tested against four microorganisms, namely Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 12600), Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) and Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633). Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol and Amphotericin B was used as positive control. In antimicrobial assays, the F4 fraction showed the best result with IC50 38.28 µg/ml (20.18-72.60) against B. subtilis growth. In same microorganism, the fractions F2 (IC50:183.1 µg/ml (110.5-305.6)), F3 (IC50: 71.56 µg/ml (48.10-106.4)) and F5 ((IC50: 95.23 µg/ml (60.02-151.1)) also inhibited the B. subtilis growth. The fractions F3 (IC50: 184.3 µg/ml (94.82-358.1)), F4 (IC50: 113.5 µg/ml (67.76-190.0)) and F5 (IC50: 439.6 µg/ml (249.4-774.8)) exhibited the highest activity against S. aureus. The fractions F3 and F4 inhibited the C. albicans growth with IC50 of 285.2 µg/ml (146.1-557.1) and 133.6 µg/ml (66.73-267.5), respectively. By contrast, all fractions need more than 1mg/ml to inhibit 50% of E. coli growth. In conclusion, the Bifurcaria bifurcata fractions, collected in Peniche, can be used as source of molecules with a great antimicrobial activity.

ABSTRACT The indiscriminate use of carbapenems in the fight against multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacteria leads to the emergence of resistance to these antimicrobial agents. We examine the in vitro activity of carbapenems and tigecycline against ESBL-producing E. coli and Klebsiella spp. isolated in a single hospital at two different periods eight years apart. Overall resistance to carbapenems ranged from 18.7% in 2007 to 19.1% in 2015/2016. We found no isolates resistant to tigecycline, but two intermediary profiles in the 2015/2016 period. Tigecycline is an important option for treating multidrug resistant Gram-negative infections and helps in the fight against global dissemination of resistance to carbapenems.

Justificativa e objetivos: O estresse ocupacional pode estar relacionado ao surgimento de doenças físicas e psíquicas. Objetiva-se avaliar a associação dos aspectos psicossociais do trabalho, de acordo com o Modelo Demanda-Controle, com a ocorrência de transtornos mentais entre os trabalhadores das Estratégias de Saúde da Família em Santa Cruz do Sul, RS. Métodos: estudo com abordagem epidemiológica, de corte transversal e quantitativo. A população alvo do estudo foi constituída por 89 profissionais, entre médicos, enfermeiros, técnicos/auxiliares de enfermagem (TE) e agentes comunitários de saúde, pertencentes às equipes das 11 Estratégias de Saúde da Família do município de Santa Cruz do Sul. Utilizou-se um questionário contendo questões sociodemográficas, ocupacionais e outras pertencentes à Job Stress Scale e ao Self Reporting Questionnaire. Resultados: Constatou-se que 30,1% dos profissionais apresentavam alta demanda e baixo controle sobre o trabalho, resultando em alta exposição ao desenvolvimento de estresse ocupacional. A prevalência de transtorno mental comum nos profissionais submetidos ao trabalho de alta exigência foi de 38%. Conclusão: Frente a esses resultados preocupantes faz-se necessário que se tomem atitudes visando a prevenção ou redução do estresse laboral e do adoecimento no trabalho. DESCRITORES: Estresse Psicológico. Saúde do Trabalhador. Saúde Mental. Atenção Primária à Saúde.

ABSTRACT The yeast-like pathogen Cryptococcus gattii is an etiological agent of cryptococcosis. The major cryptococcal virulence factor is the polysaccharide capsule, which is composed of glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), galactoxylomannan (GalXM), and mannoproteins (MPs). The GXM and GalXM polysaccharides have been extensively characterized; however, there is little information about the role of mannoproteins in capsule assembly and their participation in yeast pathogenicity. The present study characterized the function of a predicted mannoprotein from C. gattii, designated Krp1. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutants were generated, and phenotypes associated with the capsular architecture were evaluated. The null mutant cells were more sensitive to a cell wall stressor that disrupts beta-glucan synthesis. Also, these cells displayed increased GXM release to the culture supernatant than the wild-type strain did. The loss of Krp1 influenced cell-associated cryptococcal polysaccharide thickness and phagocytosis by J774.A1 macrophages in the early hours of interaction, but no difference in virulence in a murine model of cryptococcosis was observed. In addition, recombinant Krp1 was antigenic and differentially recognized by serum from an individual with cryptococcosis, but not with serum from an individual with candidiasis. Taken together, these results indicate that C. gattii Krp1 is important for the cell wall structure, thereby influencing capsule assembly, but is not essential for virulence in vivo. IMPORTANCE Cryptococcus gattii has the ability to escape from the host’s immune system through poorly understood mechanisms and can lead to the death of healthy individuals. The role of mannoproteins in C. gattii pathogenicity is not completely understood. The present work characterized a protein, Kpr1, that is essential for the maintenance of C. gattii main virulence factor, the polysaccharide capsule. Our data contribute to the understanding of the role of Kpr1 in capsule structuring, mainly by modulating the distribution of glucans in C. gattii cell wall.

Objetivo: Descrever os fatores sociodemográficos e ocupacionais e avaliar a prevalência de transtornos mentais comuns em trabalhadores das Estratégias de Saúde da Família (ESF) em Santa Cruz do Sul, RS. Métodos: Estudo com abordagem epidemiológica, de corte transversal e quantitativo, realizado no período de junho a agosto de 2013. Foram avaliados 83 trabalhadores, entre médicos, enfermeiros, técnicos/auxiliares de enfermagem e agentes comunitários de saúde, atuantes nas 11 unidades de saúde da família do município. O instrumento de pesquisa constituiu-se em um questionário autoaplicável, englobando aspectos sociodemográficos, ocupacionais e questões pertencentes ao Self-Reporting Questionnaire. Resultados: A idade média dos participantes foi de 37,1±8,9 anos, sendo a maioria agentes comunitários de saúde, do sexo feminino, casadas, com filhos, renda per capita de até 2 salários mínimos e ensino médio completo. A prevalência geral de transtorno mental comum foi de 19,7%, estando presente em todas as categorias profissionais, e mais frequente entre os enfermeiros (25%), porém sem diferenças estatísticas. Conclusão: O presente estudo, além de caracterizar a população de trabalhadores das ESF de Santa Cruz do Sul, RS, em seus aspectos sociodemográficos e ocupacionais, identificou que o sofrimento psíquico está presente, embora em graus variados, em todas as categorias profissionais avaliadas. Frente a esses achados relevantes, sugerem-se providências que visem à prevenção e promoção da saúde mental desses profissionais

FUNDAMENTO: Durante a infância e adolescência, o sedentarismo, o excesso de peso e a alimentação inadequada são fatores de risco para doenças crônicas, sobretudo obesidade, hipertensão arterial sistêmica e diabete melito. A intervenção precoce pode prevenir o desenvolvimento dessas complicações. OBJETIVO: Verificar a presença de fatores de risco cardiovasculares (obesidade e hipertensão arterial) e suas possíveis interações com a capacidade cardiorrespiratória. Métodos: Estudo transversal composto de amostra estratificada por conglomerados, de 1.666 escolares, com idades entre 7 e 17 anos, 873 (52,4%) do sexo masculino e 793 (47,6%) do sexo feminino. Avaliaram-se as pressões arteriais sistólica (PAS) e diastólica (PAD), índice de massa corporal (IMC), percentual de gordura (%G) e capacidade cardiorrespiratória. Ainda, PAS e PAD foram correlacionadas com circunferência da cintura (CC), relação cintura-quadril (RCQ), somatório de dobras cutâneas (ΣDC) e capacidade cardiorrespiratória. RESULTADOS: A avaliação do IMC dos escolares evidenciou 26,7% de sobrepeso ou obesidade e 35,9% com o percentual de gordura acima de moderadamente alto. Com relação aos níveis pressóricos, encontraram-se 13,9% e 12,1% de escolares limítrofes e hipertensos, para PAS e PAD, respectivamente. Houve associação entre hipertensão, obesidade e capacidade cardiorrespiratória. Observou-se correlação significativa em relação à PAS e PAD, para todas as variáveis analisadas, apresentando, ainda, uma relação fraca a moderada com as variáveis idade, peso, estatura, IMC e circunferência da cintura. CONCLUSÃO: A presença da hipertensão arterial associada à obesidade e seu reflexo na capacidade cardiorrespiratória reforçam a importância de se propor, já na infância, um estilo de vida mais ativo e saudável.BACKGROUND: During childhood and adolescence, physical inactivity, excess weight, and poor nutrition are risk factors for chronic diseases, especially obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Early intervention can prevent the development of these complications. OBJECTIVE: To determine the presence of cardiovascular risk (obesity and hypertension) in schoolchildren and its potential interactions with cardio-respiratory fitness. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a stratified cluster sample of 1,666 schoolchildren, aged between 7 and 17 years, 873 (52.4%) of them male and 793 (47.6%) of them female. The following variables were evaluated: systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF %), and cardio-respiratory fitness. SBP and DBP were correlated with waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), sum of skin folds (ΣSF), and cardio-respiratory fitness. RESULTS: A BMI assessment of the students showed that 26.7% of them were overweight or obese, and 35.9% had body fat percentage over moderately high. As to blood pressure, we found that 13.9% and 12.1% of the students were borderline or hypertensive, for SBP and DBP, respectively. There was an association among hypertension, obesity, and cardio-respiratory fitness. There was a significant correlation of SBP and DBP with all variables, and also a weak to moderate correlation with age, weight, height, BMI, and waist circumference. CONCLUSION: The presence of hypertension associated with obesity and its effects on cardio-respiratory fitness stress the importance of recommending, since childhood, a more active and healthy lifestyle.

Neste estudo estimou-se a distribuição e prevalência de β-lactamases de espectro estendido pertencentes às famílias TEM, SHV e CTX-M entre amostras de Escherichia coli e Klebsiella spp. no Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul. Durante 14 meses, 90 microrganismos foram selecionados como prováveis produtores de ESBL. Os isolados foram submetidos a testes fenotípicos confirmatórios para a presença de ESBL. A seguir, os tipos de ESBLs presentes em cada microrganismo foram determinados através da pesquisa dos respectivos genes através da reação em cadeia da polimerase. Empregando-se o método do disco combinado, a presença de ESBLs foi confirmada em 55 (61,1%) amostras; quando o método do duplo disco foi utilizado, 57 (63,3%) amostras foramprodutoras de ESBLs. Com base na PCR, as ESBLs do tipo TEM e SHV foram mais presentes em Klebsiella pneumoniae enquanto que ESBL do tipo CTX-M foram mais presentes em Klebsiella oxytoca.In this study, the distribution and prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases belonging to the TEM, SHV and CTX-M families were estimated among samples of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. at the university hospital of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul. Over a 14-month period, 90 microorganisms were selected as likely ESBL producers. The isolates were subjected to confirmatory phenotype tests for the presence of ESBL. Through investigating the respective genes using the polymerase chain reaction, the ESBL types present in each microorganism were then determined. Fifty-five samples (61.1%) were confirmed as ESBL-positive by means of the combined disc method, and 57 (63.3%) were found to be ESBL producers by means of the double disc method. From the polymerase chain reaction, ESBLs of TEM and SHV types were more frequently present in Klebsiella pneumoniae, while ESBL of CTX-M type was more frequently present in Klebsiella oxytoca.

Abstract Objectives: to evaluate the neuropsychomotor development and the genomic stability associated to folate and blood iron levels in preschool children. Methods: a cross-sectional study in which evaluated the biochemical exams (complete hemogram, serum ferritin, iron and folate), neuropsychomotor development (Denver II Test) and genotoxicity (micronuclei cytome in buccal mucosa cells) of 55 children aging 36-59 months old. Student´s T test, Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson's or Spearman's correlation tests were applied with a significance level of p

Abstract Background: Little has been studied on heart rate and its relationship with metabolic disorders. Objective: To identify possible association between heart rate (HR) and metabolic disorders in children and adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 2.098 subjects, aged between 7 and 17 years. The variables evaluated were: HR, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse pressure (PP), double-product (DP), myocardial oxygen consumption (mVO2), lipids, glucose and uric acid levels, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). The values of HR at rest and effort were divided into quartiles. The association between continuous values of HR and cardiometabolic indicators was tested by linear regression. Results: LDL cholesterol presented a significantly higher mean (p = 0.003) in schoolchildren with resting HR greater or equal to 91 bpm, compared to students with less than 75 bpm. Compared with the quartiles of effort HR, SBP, DBP, glucose and uric acid presented high values when HR was greater or equal than 185 bpm. SBP, glucose and HDL cholesterol demonstrated a significant association with resting HR. Uric acid was observed as a predictor of increased effort HR. Conclusion: Schoolchildren with a higher resting HR have higher mean of LDL cholesterol. For effort HR, there was an increase in blood pressure, glucose and uric acid levels. Uric acid has been shown to be a predictor of elevated effort HR.