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The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants can affect their detection via RT-qPCR. The Omicron variant has a greater affinity for the upper respiratory system and causes clinical conditions similar to bronchitis, as opposed to the pneumonitis-like conditions caused by other SARS-CoV-2 variants. This characteristic increases the viscosity of clinical samples collected for diagnosis. Coinciding with the arrival of the Omicron variant, we observed a failure in control gene expression in our laboratory. In this report, we have optimized a rapid nucleic acid extraction step to restore gene expression and detect the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. We reevaluated 3000 samples, compared variant types occurring in different time periods, and confirmed that the presence of the Omicron variant was responsible for changes observed in the characteristics of these clinical samples. For samples with large amounts of mucus, such as those containing the Omicron variant, a modification to the nucleic acid extraction step was sufficient to restore the quality of RT-qPCR results.

Objective: COVID-19 has been associated with a significant burden to those who survive the acute phase. We aimed to describe the quality of life and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at 90 days after hospital discharge of COVID-19 patients., Methods: Patients with COVID-19 admitted to a private hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, between April of 2020 and April of 2021 were interviewed by telephone at 30 and 90 days after discharge to assess the quality of life and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD., Results: A total of 2,138 patients were included. The mean age was 58.6 ± 15.8 years, and the median length of hospital stay was 9.0 (5.0-15.8) days. Between the two time points, depression increased from 3.1% to 7.2% (p < 0.001), anxiety increased from 3.2% to 6.2% (p < 0.001), and PTSD increased from 2.3% to 5.0% (p < 0.001). At least one physical symptom related to COVID-19 diagnosis persisted in 32% of patients at day 90., Conclusions: Persistence of physical symptoms was high even at 90 days after discharge. Although the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD was low, these symptoms persisted for three months, with a significant increase between the time points. This finding indicates the need to identify at-risk patients so that they can be given an appropriate referral at discharge.

There is a current tendency towards bioactive natural products that can be used in different areas such as food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical. In the last decades, polysaccharides have attracted increasing interest because of their potent nontoxic effects, therapeutic properties, and diversified range of applications. Polysaccharides are complex and heterogeneous macromolecules constituted of different monosaccharides and, in some cases, of glucuronic acid and sulphate groups. Polysaccharides with biological activity can be derived from plants, animals and microorganisms, especially microalgae. Microalgae are considered one of the most promising sources of these compounds that have already proved to have several important biological properties. In this sense, our objective is to elucidate the use of bioactive polysaccharides from microalgae in biomedical applications, emphasizing the biological activity of these compounds. Furthermore, the microalgal biomass production systems and polysaccharides extraction methods were presented and discussed., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

This study aimed to investigate the impact of different microalgal matrices on the bioaccessibility and uptake by Caco-2 cells of carotenoids and chlorophylls. In this way, the microalgal ingredients/products (whole dry biomass [WDB], whole ultrasonicated paste [WUP], and liposoluble pigment emulsion [LPE]) obtained from Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis were submitted to in vitro simulated digestion. Apical uptake of pigments in micelles generated during the simulated digestion by Caco-2 human intestinal cells was determined. The influence of simulated digestion on carotenoid and chlorophyll stability and bioaccessibility was assessed by HPLC-PDA-MS/MS and the carotenoids and chlorophylls' bioaccessibility and cellular uptake were shown to be boosted according to the matrix (LPE > WUP > WDB). Our findings showed that Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis could be considered in formulations when carotenoids and chlorophylls are the target molecules in the ingredients/products., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

In recent years, the increasing concern about human health well-being has strongly boosted the search for natural alternatives that can be used in different fields, especially in biomedicine. This has put microalgae-based products in evidence since they contain many bioactive compounds, of which polysaccharides are attractive due to the diverse physicochemical properties and new or improved biological roles they play. Polysaccharides from microalgae, specially exopolysaccharides, are critically important for market purposes because they can be used as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-glycemic, antitumor, antioxidant, anticoagulant, antilipidemic, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal agents. Therefore, to obtain higher productivity and competitiveness of these naturally available compounds, the cultivation parameters and the extraction/purification processes must be better optimized in order to bring perspectives for the exploitation of products in commercial and clinical practice. In this sense, the objective of the present review is to elucidate the potential biomedical applications of microalgae-derived polysaccharides. A closer look is taken at the main polysaccharides produced by microalgae, methods of extraction, purification and structural determination, biological activities and their applications, and current status., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

The composition of microalgae can contribute to nutritious and functional diets. Among the functional compounds, carotenoids are in focus since positive effects on human health have been established, which are in turn related to their bioaccessibility. In addition to essential nutrients, our hypothesis was that microalgae biomasses could be used as sources of bioaccessible carotenoids. Thus, this study determined for the first time the bioaccessibility of carotenoids from biomass of Scenedesmus bijuga and Chlorella sorokiniana and their possible relationship with the lipid composition of the matrix. The samples were submitted to in vitro digestion protocol, and carotenoids were determined by HPLC-PDA-MS/MS. Individual bioaccessibility of carotenoids was ≥ 3.25%. In general, compounds in their cis conformation were more bioaccessible than trans; and total carotenes more than total xanthophylls. Twelve compounds were bioaccessible from the biomass of S. bijuga, and eight in C. sorokiniana. In S. bijuga, the bioaccessibility of total carotenoids was 7.30%, and the major bioaccessible carotenoids were 9-cis-β-carotene (43.78%), 9-cis-zeaxanthin (42.30%) followed by 9-cis-lutein (26.73%); while in C. sorokiniana, the total bioaccessibility was 8.03%, and 9-cis-β-carotene (26.18%), all-trans-β-carotene (13.56%), followed by 13-cis-lutein (10.71%) were the major compounds. Overall, the total content of lipids does not influence the bioaccessibility of total carotenoids. Still, the lipid composition, including structural characteristics such as degree of saturation and chain length of the fatty acid, impacts the promotion of individual bioaccessibility of carotenes and xanthophylls of microalgae. Finally, the results of this study can assist the development of microalgae-based functional food ingredients and products., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The association between inflammatory processes and intestinal neuronal destruction during the progression of Chagasic megacolon is well established. However, many other components play essential roles, both in the long-term progression and control of the clinical status of patients infected with Trypanosoma cruzi . Components such as neuronal subpopulations, enteric glial cells, mast cells and their proteases, and homeostasis-related proteins from several organic systems (serotonin and galectins) are differentially involved in the progression of Chagasic megacolon. This review is aimed at revealing the characteristics of the intestinal microenvironment found in Chagasic megacolon by using different types of already used biomarkers. Information regarding these components may provide new therapeutic alternatives and improve the understanding of the association between T. cruzi infection and immune, endocrine, and neurological system changes., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this review article., (Copyright © 2021 José Rodrigues do Carmo Neto et al.)

Organophosphate (OP) pesticides are responsible for numerous human deaths every year. Nucleophilic substitution is an important method to mitigate the toxicity of obsolete stocks of OPs. Herein, the degradation of O , O -diethyl-2,4-dinitrophenyl phosphate (DEDNPP) and pesticide diethyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate (Paraoxon) promoted by 1,2,4-triazole (TAZ) was investigated by means of kinetic studies, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses, and theoretical calculations. Results showed fast degradation of OPs is promoted by the anionic form of the nucleophile (TAZ(-)) in pH > 8.5 (optimal at pH = 11). Rate enhancements of 10 6 and 10 5 -fold in relation to neutral hydrolysis of DEDNPP and Paraoxon were observed, respectively, consistent with alpha-nucleophiles reactivity. TAZ(-) regioselectively promotes the degradation of DEDNPP via P-O bond break, forming a quickly hydrolyzable phosphorylated intermediate, regenerating the nucleophile. Calculations using M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory revealed that the equivalent nitrogen atoms of TAZ(-) are the main nucleophilic center of the molecule. This study expands the knowledge on the reactivity of iminic compounds as detoxificant agents of OPs, indicating the efficiency and selectivity of TAZ(-) in aqueous medium, encouraging the design of novel TAZ-based catalysts.

The bioaccessibility and subsequent uptake by Caco-2 human intestinal cells of chlorophyll pigments from Scenedesmus obliquus were determined for the first time. In order to evaluate the impact of different types of the matrix on bioaccessibility of chlorophyll from microalgae, three different products were evaluated: isolated chlorophyll extract (ICE); wet ultrasonicated biomass (WUB); and whole dried biomass (WDB). The samples were submitted to in vitro digestion model according to the INFOGEST protocol, and Caco-2 cells determined the intestinal uptake. Chlorophyll pigments were determined by HPLC-PDA-MS/MS. A total of ten chlorophyll pigments (8,318.48 µg g -1 ) were separated in S. obliquus biomass, with chlorophyll a (3,507.76 µg g -1 ) and pheophytin a' (1,598.09 µg g -1 ) the major ones. After in vitro digestion, all tested products showed bioaccessible chlorophylls. However, the total bioaccessibility results were as follows: ICE (33.45%), WUB (2.65%), WDB (0.33%). Five compounds were bioaccessible in ICE, three in WUB, and one in WDB. The hydroxypheophytin a showed the highest bioaccessibility (212%) in ICE, while pheophytin a' in WUB (11%) and WDB (2%). As a result, bioavailability estimates of ICE using the Caco-2 cell showed hydroxypheophytin a (102.53%), followed by pheophytin a' (64.69%) as the chlorophyll pigments most abundant in intestinal cells. In summary, from a nutritional perspective, these three types of the matrix (WDB, WUB, and ICE) influence the promotion of chlorophyll bioaccessibility. In this way, the data suggest that chlorophylls bioaccessibility from ICE is greater than that in WDB and WUB. Therefore, ICE should be considered a product that provides bioavailable chlorophyll and could be the best choice, such as ingredients in the development of functional foods chlorophyll-based., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in December 2019 and quickly spread around the world, forcing global health authorities to develop protocols for its diagnosis. Here we report dimer formation in the N2 primers-probe set (CDC 2019-nCoV Real-Time RT-PCR) used in the diagnostic routine, and propose alternatives to reduce dimerization events. Late unspecific amplifications were visualized in 56.4% of negative samples and 57.1% of no-template control, but not in positive samples or positive control. In silico analysis and gel electrophoresis confirmed the dimer formation. The RT-qPCR parameters were optimized and the late unspecific amplifications decreased to 11.5% in negative samples and no-template control. The adjustment of PCR parameters was essential to reduce the risk of false-positives results and to avoid inclusive results requiring repeat testing, which increases the costs and generates delays in results or even unnecessary requests for new samples., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of carotenoids intake of Scenedesmus obliquus, on lipid peroxidation, the endogenous antioxidant defense system as well as the serum lipid profile in vivo. Male mice were divided into control groups and supplemented with different doses of microalgae carotenoids: 0.25 (MC1) and 2.5 (MC2) mg·kg -1 bodyweight. The lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, low and high-density lipoprotein) and markers of hepatic toxicity were determined in serum samples. Antioxidant enzymes and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were determined in the heart, liver, kidneys, and spleen. Both doses used to treat the animals did not show adverse effects by markers of hepatic toxicity. MC1 did not cause significant changes in the serum lipid profile. In contrast, it created a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation of the spleen (46%) as well as an increase in the GR in the heart (40%) and GPx in the kidneys (79%) activity. The MC2 treatment also increased GR (49%) in the heart and GPx (243%) in the heart and kidneys (58%) activity, however, significantly increased levels of lipid peroxidation in the liver (160%) as well as serum triglycerides (60%). According to results, it is suggested that the consumption of S. obliquus carotenoids at the MC1 dose was safe to the animals and could be explored as an alternative to improve the activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduce lipid peroxidation., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This brief data article refers to the previous exploration of Scenedesmus obliquus and Phormidium autumnale biomass about the possibility of using these microalgae species as an unconventional functional food. Data on chemical composition, fatty acids, volatile compounds, and carotenoid profiles were determined. In parallel, are provided the antioxidant capacity (reducing capacity - RC and reactive oxygen species deactivation - ORAC) of aqueous, lipophilic, and carotenoid extracts isolated from microalgae biomass. Both species have similar compounds in their biomass. However, S. obliquus was statistically different with a lower saturated fatty acid (STF) followed by higher mono (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) content, also showed higher antioxidant potential for acetone extract and isolated carotenoids. On the other hand, P. autumnale aqueous extract showed high RC and ORAC. The significance of the experimental data was determined using the t -test (p < 0.05) based on the Statistica 7.0 software. These findings led us to explore the microalgae S. obliquus in an in vivo experimental model., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus is a major nosocomial pathogen that is associated with high virulence and the rapid development of drug resistance., Methods: We analyzed and compared the antimicrobial resistance, virulence profiles, and molecular epidemiology of 67 S. aureus strains, including 36 methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) and 31 methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strains recovered from a public hospital located in south-eastern Brazil., Results: The clones circulating in this hospital presented a great diversity, and the majority of the strains were related to clones responsible for causing worldwide epidemics: these included USA100 (New York/Japan clone), USA300, and USA600. The 31 MRSA (22 SCCmecII and 9 SCCmecIV) and 36 MSSA strains exhibited low resistance against gentamicin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. No MRSA strain showed resistance to tetracycline. Virulence gene carriage was more diverse and abundant in MSSA than in MRSA. Of the evaluated adhesion-related genes, ebpS was the most prevalent in both MSSA and MRSA strains. The genes bbp and cna showed a strong association with MSSA strains., Conclusions: Our findings reinforce the idea that MSSA and MRSA strains should be carefully monitored, owing to their high pathogenic potential.

Environmental factors directly affect the growth and composition of microalgal biomass. Therefore, the present work analyzed the metabolomics (amino acids, organic acids, and fatty acids) of the microalga Scenedesmus obliquus cultivated in 24:0 and 12:12 (light:dark) photoperiods and different phases of cell growth. Furthermore, the metabolites were related to protein, lipid, and chlorophyll contents at the end of cultivation. The highest biomass concentration (4020 mg L - 1 ) and protein (47.3%) were obtained in culture under constant illumination. The cultivation 12:12 (light:dark) photoperiod triggered higher production of lipids (23.0%) and chlorophylls (26.4 mg g - 1 ) by S. obliquus. Microalgal metabolites were greatly affected by photoperiod and by phase of cell growth. Thus, metabolite production could be related to both the environmental conditions under which cultivation occurred and to the different concentrations of products (proteins, lipids, and chlorophylls) present in the S. obliquus biomass.

Fungi have a complex role in the intestinal tract, influencing health and disease, with dysbiosis contributing to obesity. Our objectives were to investigate fungal diversity in human gut microbiota among eutrophic, overweight, and obese. Epidemiological and nutritional information were collected from adult individuals, as well as stool samples processed for selective fungi isolation and identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (yeasts) or microculture (filamentous fungi). Further 18S rDNA sequencing was performed to confirm identification. The mean count of fungi was 241 CFU/g of feces. Differences in the population level of the filamentous fungi were observed within eutrophic and obese groups. Overall, 34 genera were identified. The predominant phylum was Ascomycota with 20 different genera, followed by Basidiomycota and Zygomycota. As for Ascomycota, the most prevalent species were Paecilomyces sp., Penicillium sp., Candida sp., Aspergillus sp., Fonsecaea sp., and Geotrichum sp. (76.39, 65.28, 59.72, 58.33, 12.50, and 9.72%, respectively). As for Basidiomycota, Trichosporon sp. and Rhodotorula sp. were the most prevalent (30.56 and 15.28%, respectively), and for Zygomycota, Rhizopus sp. and Mucor sp. were the most numerous (15.28 and 9.72%, respectively). As expected there is a mycobiota shift towards obesity, with slightly higher diversity associated to eutrophic individuals. This mycobiota shift seems also to be related to the nutritional behavior of the individuals, as observed that the macronutrients intake may be positively related to the different fungi occurrences. Other studies are needed to better understand relationships between mycobiota and obesity, which could be used in future obesity treatments.

Although most Brazilian dairy products meet high technological standards, there are quality issues regarding milk production, which may reduce the final product quality. Several microbial species may contaminate milk during manufacture and handling. If antimicrobial usage remains uncontrolled in dairy cattle, the horizontal transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes in foodstuffs may be of particular concern for both food producers and dairy industry. This study focused on the evaluation of putative Gram positive cocci in Minas cheese and of antimicrobial and biocide resistance genes among the isolated bacteria. Representative samples of 7 different industrially trademarked Minas cheeses (n = 35) were processed for selective culture and isolation of Gram positive cocci. All isolated bacteria were identified by DNA sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Antimicrobial resistance genes were screened by PCR. Overall, 208 strains were isolated and identified as follows: Enterococcus faecalis (47.6%), Macrococcus caseolyticus (18.3%), Enterococcus faecium (11.5%), Enterococcus caseliflavus (7.7%), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (7.2%), Staphylococcus aureus (4.3%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (2.9%), and Enterococcus hirae (0.5%). The genetic markers mecA (78.0%) and smr (71.4%) were the most prevalent, but others were also detected, such as blaZ (65.2%), msrA (60.9%), msrB (46.6%), linA (54.7%), and aacA-aphD (47.6%). The occurrence of opportunist pathogenic bacteria harboring antimicrobial resistance markers in the cheese samples are of special concern, since these bacteria are not considered harmful contaminating agents according to the Brazilian sanitary regulations. However, they are potentially pathogenic bacteria and the cheese may be considered a reservoir for antimicrobial resistance genes available for horizontal transfer through the food chain, manufacturing personnel and consumers., (© 2018 Institute of Food Technologists®.)

To characterize methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from an intensive care unit of a tertiary-care teaching hospital, between 2005 and 2010. A total of 45 isolates were recovered from patients admitted to the intensive care unit in the study period. Resistance rates higher than 80% were found for clindamycin (100%), erythromycin (100%), levofloxacin (100%), azithromycin (97.7%), rifampin (88.8%), and gentamycin (86.6%). The SCCmec typing revealed that the isolates harbored the types III (66.7%), II (17.8%), IV (4.4%), and I (2.2%). Four (8.9%) isolates carried non-typeable cassettes. Most (66.7%) of the isolates were related to the Brazilian endemic clone from CC8/SCCmec III, which was prevalent (89.3%) between 2005 and 2007, while the USA100/CC5/SCCmec II lineage emerged in 2007 and was more frequent in the last few years. The study showed high rates of antimicrobial resistance among methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates and the replacement of Brazilian clone, a well-established hospital lineage, by the USA100 in the late 2000s, at the intensive care unit under study., (Copyright © 2017 Sociedade Brasileira de Infectologia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

The aims of the current study are to assess the influence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentration, molar mass, pH, and citrate concentrations on aqueous biphasic systems based on 2 4 factorial designs, as well as to check their capacity to purify tannase secreted by Aspergillus tamarii URM 7115. Tannase was produced through submerged fermentation at 26°C for 67 h in Czapeck-Dox modified broth and added with yeast extract and tannic acid. The factorial design was followed to assess the influence of PEG molar mass (M PEG 600; 4,000 and 8,000 g/ mol), and PEG (C PEG 20.0; 22.0 and 24.0% w/w) and citrate concentrations (C CIT 15.0, 17.5, and 20.0%, w/w), as well as of pH (6.0, 7.0, and 8.0) on the response variables; moreover, partition coefficient (K), yield (Y), and purification factor (PF) were analyzed. The most suitable parameters to purify tannase secreted by A. tamarii URM 7115 through a biphasic system were 600 (g/mol) M PEG , 24% (w/w) C PEG , 15% (w/w) C CIT at pH 6.0 and they resulted in 6.33 enzyme partition, 131.25% yield, 19.80 purification factor and 195.08 selectivity. Tannase secreted by A. tamarii URM 7115 purified through aqueous biphasic systems composed of PEG/citrate can be used for industrial purposes, since it presents suitable purification factor and yield.

Background: Palatal fistulae are common sequels that appear in patients after surgical procedures in the palate. Considering the difficulty to achieve an effective treatment, there are many techniques to surgically manage fistulae, that is, the pedicle tongue flap., Objective: Being so, the main goal of this paper is to report cases of patients with palatal fistulae, from different etiologies, treated with anterior pedicle tongue flap., Patients: Eleven patients, 8 male and 3 female, mean age of 32 years old with palatal fistulae surgically treated with anterior dorsal tongue flaps. No flap was completely lost. There was 1 partial loss and 1 residual buconasal communication. The most common complaints of the patients were difficulty to perform oral hygiene and mild pain., Conclusion: The use of anterior pedicle tongue flap for closing palatal fistulae demonstrates to be a safe procedure with high success rates (81% in this paper) when correctly indicated.

Introduction: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a syndrome related to Gardnerella vaginalis and is characterized by an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota. This work focused on the evaluation of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and the occurrence of the vaginolysin (vly) gene in G. vaginalis isolated from BV and non-BV patients., Methodology: The vaginal secretions were collected randomly and processed for G. vaginalis isolation. The isolates were presumptively identified by β-hemolysis and oxidase and catalase tests. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to confirm bacterial identity and to detect the vly gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were determined., Results: Of 89 patients, G. vaginalis was isolated from 42 (37 BV and 5 non-BV), and 204 isolates were selected (179 from BV and 25 non-BV). The vly gene was detected in all G. vaginalis isolated from non-BV women and in 98.3% of the bacteria from BV patients. High resistance was observed for ampicillin (54.4%), metronidazole (59.8%), tinidazole (60.3%) and secnidazole (71.6%)., Conclusions: Further studies are needed to better address the role of G. vaginalis and the vly gene in BV pathogenesis.

Background: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the impact of oral health conditions, socioeconomic status and use of specific substances on quality of life of alcohol and drug addicted persons, receiving care at outpatient treatment facilities in Brazil., Methods: A random sample of 262 participants, mean age 37 years, from Psychosocial Care Centers for Alcohol and Drugs (CAPS AD) located in three cities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, were clinically examined for caries experience (DMFT index) by a calibrated examiner. They were asked to complete a series of questionnaires, including the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), socioeconomic characteristics, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment (WHOQOL), which were considered the outcome variables of the study. Associations between oral health status, socioeconomic characteristics, substance involvement with WHOQOL were investigated by means of the chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis with a level of significance α < 0.05., Results: The mean DMF index of the group was 13.0. Subjects with DMFT >14 (OR = 2.25; CI 95% = 1.30-3.89); low-income (OR = 2.41; CI 95% = 1.22-4.77) and users of cocaine/crack (OR = 2.02; CI 95% = 1.15-3.59) were more likely to have poor general quality of life., Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the general quality of life of addicted persons was associated with caries experience, low income and cocaine/crack use.

Introduction: Healthcare waste (HCW) might potentially harbor infective viable microorganisms in sanitary landfills. We investigated the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and the occurrence of the mecA gene in coagulase-negative Staphylococcus strains (CoNS) recovered from the leachate of the HCW in an untreated sanitary landfill., Methodology: Bacterial identification was performed by physiological and molecular approaches, and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antimicrobial drugs were determined by the agar dilution method according to CLSI guidelines. All oxacillin-resistant bacteria were screened for the mecA gene., Results: Out of 73 CoNS, seven different species were identified by 16S rDNA sequencing: Staphylococcus felis (64.4%; n = 47), Staphylococcus sciuri (26.0%; n = 19), Staphylococcus epidermidis (2.7%; n = 2), Staphylococcus warneri (2.7%; n = 2), Staphylococcus lentus (1.4%; n = 1), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (1.4%; n = 1), and Staphylococcus haemolyticus (1.4%; n = 1). Penicillin was the least effective antimicrobial (60.3% of resistance; n = 44) followed by erythromycin (39.8%; n = 29), azithromycin (28.8%; n = 21), and oxacillin (16.5%; n = 12). The most effective drug was vancomycin, for which no resistance was observed, followed by gentamicin and levofloxacin, for which only intermediate resistance was observed (22%, n = 16 and 1.4%, n = 1, respectively). Among the oxacillin-resistant strains, the mecA gene was detected in two isolates., Conclusions: Considering the high antimicrobial resistance observed, our results raise concerns about the survival of putative bacterial pathogens carrying important resistance markers in HCW and their environmental spread through untreated residues discharged in sanitary landfills.

In continuation of our efforts to find new antimicrobial compounds, series of fatty N-acyldiamines were prepared from fatty methyl esters and 1,2-ethylenediamine, 1,3-propanediamine or 1,4-butanediamine. The synthesized compounds were screened for their antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and for their antifungal activity against four species of Candida (C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis). Compounds 5a (N-(2-aminoethyl)dodecanamide), 5b (N-(2-aminoethyl)tetracanamide) and 6d (N-(3-aminopropyl)oleamide) were the most active against Gram-positive bacteria, with MIC values ranging from 1 to 16μg/mL and were evaluated for their activity against 21 clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant S. aureus. All the compounds exhibited good to moderate antifungal activity. Compared to chloramphenicol, compound 6b displayed a similar activity (MIC50=16μg/mL). A positive correlation could be established between lipophilicity and biological activity., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Of the many reported applications for xylanase, its use as a food supplement has played an important role for monogastric animals, because it can improve the utilisation of nutrients. The aim of this work was to produce xylanase by extractive fermentation in an aqueous two-phase system using Aspergillus tamarii URM 4634, increasing the scale of production in a bioreactor, partially characterising the xylanase and evaluating its influence on monogastric digestion in vitro. Through extractive fermentation in a bioreactor, xylanase was obtained with an activity of 331.4 U mL(-1) and 72% yield. The xylanase was stable under variable pH and temperature conditions, and it was optimally active at pH 3.6 and 90 °C. Xylanase activity potentiated the simulation of complete monogastric digestion by 6%, and only Mg2+ inhibited its activity. This process provides a system for efficient xylanase production by A. tamarii URM 4634 that has great potential for industrial use.

This paper presents the quantification, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin and the flavonoid chrysoeriol isolated from different extracts (hexane and acetonitrile extracts from whole fruit, peel and seed) of Capsicum frutescens (pimenta malagueta). The acetonitrile extract of the seeds, peel and whole fruits contained capsaicin as a major component, followed in abundance by dihydrocapsaicin and chrysoeriol. The antimicrobial activity of the isolated compounds against seven microorganisms showed chrysoeriol was the most active compound. In the antioxidant test, the acetonitrile extract from the whole fruit showed the highest activity. The antioxidant activity of pimenta malagueta may be correlated with its phenolic content, principally with the most active compound, capsaicin.

Objective: To evaluate the compliance rates to quality of care indicators along the implementation of an acute myocardial infarction clinical practice guideline., Methods: A clinical guideline for acute myocardial infarction was introduced on March 1st, 2005. Patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction from March 1st, 2005 to December 31st, 2012 (n=1,431) were compared to patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction before the implementation of the protocol (n=306). Compliance rates to quality of care indicators (ASA prescription on hospital admission and discharge, betablockers on discharge and door-to-balloon time) as well as the length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality were compared before and after the implementation of the clinical guideline., Results: The rates of ASA prescription on admission, on discharge and of betablockers were higher after guideline implementation: 99.6% versus 95.8% (p<0.001); 99.1% versus 95.8% (p<0.001); and 95.9% versus 81.7% (p<0.001), respectively. ASA prescription rate increased over time, reaching 100% from 2009 to 2012. Door-to-balloon time after versus before implementation was of 86(32) minutes versus 93(51) (p=0.20). The length of hospital stay after the implementation versus before was of 6(6) days versus 6(4) days (p=0.34). In-hospital mortality was 7.6% (before the implementation), 8.7% between 2005 and 2008, and 5.3% between 2009 and 2012, (p=0.04)., Conclusion: The implementation of an acute myocardial infarction clinical practice guideline was associated with an increase in compliance to quality of care indicators.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (cardiac death, or acute myocardial infarct, or target vessel revascularization) at one year in "real world" patients., Methods: The EINSTEIN registry is an observational, prospective, single center study that consecutively included 103 patients (152 lesions) treated with the BiomatrixTM stent, a biolimus A9-eluting stent with biodegradable polymer., Results: The mean age was 65.0±12.4 years; male gender represented 83.5% of the patients; and 37.9% of them were diabetic. At one-year, major adverse cardiac events occurred in 11.7% of the patients, including 2.9% of cardiac death, 4.9% of with non ST- segment elevation acute myocardial infarction, and 3.9% of target vessel revascularization. Stent thrombosis occurred in only 1% (1 patient) at one-yearfollow-up., Conclusion: The present Registry suggests that new generation biolimus A9 drug-eluting stents are safe and effective in a "real world", all-comers patients, showing low rates of major cardiac adverse events on long-term follow-up.

Noroviruses are the leading cause of epidemic, non-bacterial outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis, and are also a major cause of sporadic acute gastroenteritis in infants. The aim of the present study was to identify norovirus infections in children not infected by rotavirus admitted to hospital for acute gastroenteritis in Belém. A total of 348 fecal specimens were obtained from children with diarrhea aged less than 5 years, all of whom had tested negative for rotavirus, between May 2008 and April 2010. Fecal samples were screened for norovirus antigen using enzyme-immunoassay (EIA). Specimens were subjected to reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using the primers Mon432/434-Mon431/433 for detection of the GI and GII norovirus strains, respectively. Based on both methods, the overall norovirus positivity rate was 36.5% (127/348). Of the 169 samples collected in the first year, 44.4% (n = 75) tested positive for norovirus using both methods, 35.5% (n = 60) by EIA and 40.8% (n = 69) by RT-PCR. Using RT-PCR as a reference standard, a sensitivity of 78.3%, specificity of 94%, and agreement of 87.6% were recorded. Genome sequencing was obtained for 22 (31.9%) of the 69 positive samples, of which 90.9% (20/22) were genotype GII.4d and 9.1% (2/22) were genotype GII.b. Norovirus infection was most frequent in children under 2 years of age (41.5%-115/277). The peak incidence (62.1%) of norovirus-related acute gastroenteritis in these patients (not infected by rotavirus) was observed in February 2010. These findings emphasize the importance of norovirus as a cause of severe acute gastroenteritis among children in Belém, Pará, Northern Brazil., (Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

The aim of this study was to assess the potential of nanoparticles to improve the pharmacokinetics of curcumin, with a primary goal of enhancing its bioavailability. Polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and PLGA-polyethylene glycol (PEG) (PLGA-PEG) blend nanoparticles containing curcumin were obtained by a single-emulsion solvent-evaporation technique, resulting in particles size smaller than 200 nm. The encapsulation efficiency was over 70% for both formulations. The in vitro release study showed that curcumin was released more slowly from the PLGA nanoparticles than from the PLGA-PEG nanoparticles. A LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated to quantify curcumin in rat plasma. The nanoparticles were orally administered at a single dose in rats, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated and compared with the curcumin aqueous suspension. It was observed that both nanoparticles formulations were able to sustain the curcumin delivery over time, but greater efficiency was obtained with the PLGA-PEG nanoparticles, which showed better results in all of the pharmacokinetic parameters analyzed. The PLGA and PLGA-PEG nanoparticles increased the curcumin mean half-life in approximately 4 and 6h, respectively, and the C(max) of curcumin increased 2.9- and 7.4-fold, respectively. The distribution and metabolism of curcumin decreased when it was carried by nanoparticles, particularly PLGA-PEG nanoparticles. The bioavailability of curcumin-loaded PLGA-PEG nanoparticles was 3.5-fold greater than the curcumin from PLGA nanoparticles. Compared to the curcumin aqueous suspension, the PLGA and PLGA-PEG nanoparticles increased the curcumin bioavailability by 15.6- and 55.4-fold, respectively. These results suggest that PLGA and, in particular, PLGA-PEG blend nanoparticles are potential carriers for the oral delivery of curcumin., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is still not routinely screened during pregnancy in Brazil, being prophylaxis and empirical treatment based on identification of risk groups. This study aimed to investigate GBS prevalence in Brazilian pregnant women by culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) associated to the enrichment culture, and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of isolated bacteria, so as to support public health policies and empirical prophylaxis. After an epidemiological survey, vaginal and anorectal specimens were collected from 221 consenting laboring women. Each sample was submitted to enrichment culture and sheep blood agar was used to isolate suggestive GBS. Alternatively, specific PCR was performed from enrichment cultures. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were determined for isolated bacteria by agar diffusion method. No risk groups were identified. Considering the culture-based methodology, GBS was detected in 9.5% of the donors. Twenty five bacterial strains were isolated and identified. Through the culture-PCR methodology, GBS was detected in 32.6% specimens. Bacterial resistance was not detected against ampicillin, cephazolin, vancomycin and ciprofloxacin, whereas 22.7% were resistant to erythromycin and 50% were resistant to clindamycin. GBS detection may be improved by the association of PCR and enrichment culture. Considering that colony selection in agar plates may be laboring and technician-dependent, it may not reflect the real prevalence of streptococci. As in Brazil prevention strategies to reduce the GBS associated diseases have not been adopted, prospective studies are needed to anchor public health policies especially considering the regional GBS antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.

Urban pigeons (Columba livia) come into close contact with humans and animals, and may contribute to the spread of infectious agents. These may include human pathogens such as diarrheagenic Escherichia coli strains, which are able to survive in pigeon feces, thus creating potential for human exposure and infection. Our objectives were to determine the occurrence of diarrheagenic E. coli strains in fresh feces from urban pigeons and their drug susceptibility patterns. E. coli strains were isolated from 100 fresh feces samples and presumptive phenotypic species identification was carried out, confirmed by amplification of specific 16S ribosomal RNA encoding DNA. Multiplex PCR was performed to characterize pathogenic strains. Drug susceptibility patterns were determined by the agar dilution method. Enteroinvasive E. coli, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, enteropathogenic E. coli, and enterotoxigenic E. coli were detected at an overall rate of 12.1%. Among the isolated E. coli strains, 62.1% were susceptible to all tested drugs, whereas 37.9% were resistant to at least one of the antimicrobials tested. Amikacin was the less effective drug (36.8% resistance), followed by ampicillin (7.8%). No resistance was detected to gentamicin, ceftriaxone, and ceftazidime and almost all the isolates were susceptible to ampicillin-sulbactam (98.4%), levofloxacin (97.8%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (96.1%). Since these pigeons may harbor multidrug-resistant pathogens, their presence in an urban environment could be an important component of infection spread, with impact on public health.

Health service waste gives rise to controversy regarding its importance for human, animal and environmental health. Occurrences of clinically relevant bacteria in piles of health service waste in a sanitary landfill and their antimicrobial susceptibility profile were evaluated. Aliquots of leachate were processed for selective isolation of Staphylococcus sp, Gram-negative rods of the Enterobacteriaceae family and non-fermenters. Bacterial resistance to all the antimicrobials tested was observed in all microbial groups, including resistance to more than one drug. The results make it possible to suggest that viable bacteria in health service waste represent risks to human and animal health. Furthermore, occurrences of multiresistant strains support the hypothesis that health service waste acts as a reservoir for resistance markers, with an environmental impact. The lack of regional legislation concerning segregation, treatment and final disposal of waste may expose different populations to risks of transmission of infectious diseases associated with multiresistant microorganisms.

To estimate the prevalence and related aspects of periodontitis in a rural area of the State of Bahia, Brazil, this cross-sectional study was carried out in the village of Matinha dos Pretos, Feira de Santana County, Bahia, among 172 subjects ranging from 20 to 60 years of age. During household visits, a full-mouth periodontal exam was performed on each subject, who also answered a questionnaire about socio-demographic, economic and health-related issues. The factors assessed were plaque index, bleeding on probing index, probing depth, gingival recession or hyperplasia measurements. Clinical attachment loss was also calculated. The multivariate logistic regression method was used to evaluate the relative contribution of these factors to the periodontitis condition. The prevalence of periodontitis was 24.4%. The following factors were all positively associated with the presence of periodontitis: being male (OR = 1.58; 1.00 - 2.53), being 30 years of age or older (OR = 2.80; 1.00 - 7.39), living in a house where there was more than one person per room (OR = 1.53; 0.96 - 2.45), being a cigarette or pipe smoker or ex-smoker (OR = 1.49; 0.92 - 2.39), having a plaque index of over 65% (OR = 2.97; 2.72 - 7.39) and more than four missing teeth (OR = 1.51; 0.82 - 2.78). The authors concluded that socioeconomic and biological factors, especially poor oral hygiene and older age, are positively associated with periodontitis in the rural population of a small village in the county of Feira de Santana, State of Bahia, Brazil.

Background: Limited information is available regarding the attached keratinized tissue, probing depth, and sociodemographic characteristics of primary teeth. This study was carried out to evaluate the relationship among age, gender, race, gingival width, and probing depth in each primary tooth type., Methods: The study population consisted of 300 children, aged 4 to 6 years, with clinically healthy gingiva, who were enrolled in an oral health program. Gingival width and probing depth were measured with a standard Williams periodontal probe in the middle of the keratinized gingiva and at six gingival sites (mesio-buccal, mid-buccal, disto-buccal, mesio-lingual, mid-lingual, and disto-lingual), respectively. Schiller's solution was used to establish the limits of keratinized gingiva., Results: The gingival width (mean +/- SD) on the buccal surfaces decreased from anterior to posterior positions in both arches; in the lower lingual surfaces, the inverse was observed. The gingival width (mean +/- SD) ranged from 2.95 +/- 0.15 mm to 6.16 +/- 0.20 mm and the probing depth from 1.03 +/- 0.91 mm to 2.08 +/- 0.07 mm. There was a tendency toward increased probing depth as age increased from 4 to 6 years. There was also an increase in the probing depth from anterior to posterior teeth., Conclusions: In the majority of observations, it was concluded that there was a relationship among age, gingival width, and probing depth, but generally not among race and gender and these measurements, respectively. Furthermore, there is no relation between gender and gingival width and race and probing depth.

Increasing attention is current focused on urban groundwater contamination with gasoline hydrocarbon compounds in Brazil. The compounds benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) contained in fuels are highly toxic and can have severe public health consequences, besides posing the risk of intake from the water table by way of contamination. After two years of a steady gasoline storage tank leak, water samples from private household wells in the district of Brisa Mar, Itaguaí, Rio de Janeiro State, were analyzed and the concentration of BTEX compounds was evaluated. Two out of ten water samples from the study area presented BTEX concentrations above the National Water Quality Standard (Brazilian Health Ministry Ruling No. 1469/2000), in which the maximum permissible benzene concentration is 5 micro g.L-1. Four others wells were also contaminated with nitrate, responsible for the induction of methemoglobinemia. Natural attenuation (intrinsic biodegradation) mechanisms through electron acceptors was also investigated in this study.