In vitro antimicrobial, antibiofilm photodynamic activity, and molecular dynamic simulations of tetra-cationic porphyrinmembrane interactions against foodborne microorganisms.

This manuscript presents a new report on the in vitro antimicrobial photo-inactivation of foodborne microorganisms (Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes) using tetra-cationic porphyrins. Isomeric tetra-cationic porphyrins (3MeTPyP, 4MeTPyP, 3PtTPyP, and 4PtTPyP) were tested, and antimicrobial activity assays were performed at specific photosensitizer concentrations under dark and white-light LED irradiation conditions. Among the tested bacterial strains, 4MeTPyP exhibited the highest efficiency, inhibiting bacterial growth within just 60 min at low concentrations (17.5 µM). The minimal inhibitory concentration of 4MeTPyP increased when reactive oxygen species scavengers were present, indicating the significant involvement of singlet oxygen species in the photooxidation mechanism. Furthermore, the checkerboard assay testing the association of 4MeTPyP showed an indifferent effect. Atomic force microscopy analyses and dynamic simulations were conducted to enhance our understanding of the interaction between this porphyrin and the strain's membrane.

Effects of bioconversion by Battus polydamas on the chemical composition of Aristolochia spp. and evaluation of antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility.

Aristolochia plants are emblematic from an ethnopharmacological viewpoint and are know to possess numerous biological properties, including antiseptic. However, the medicinal potential of these species is debatable because of their representative chemical constituents, aristolochic acids (AAs) and aristolactams (ALs), which are associated, for instance, with nephropathy and cancer. These contrasting issues have stimulated the development of approaches intended to detoxification of aristoloquiaceous biomasses, among which is included the bioconversion method using larvae of the specialist phytophagous insect Battus polydamas, previously shown to be viable for chemical diversification and to reduce toxicity. Thus, eleven Aristolochia spp. were bioconverted, and the antimicrobial activities of the plant methanolic extracts and its respective bioconversion products were evaluated. The best results were found for Aristolochia esperanzae, Aristolochia gibertii, and Aristolochia ringens against Bacillus cereus, with MIC ranging from 7.8 to 31.25 µg/mL. These three species were selected for chemical, antioxidant, cytotoxic, hemolytic, and mutagenic analyses. Chemical analysis revealed 65 compounds, 21 of them possible bioconversion products. The extracts showed potential to inhibit the formation and degradation of B. cereus biofilms. Extracts of A. gibertii and its bioconverted biomass showed antioxidant activity comparable to dibutylhydroxytoluene (BHT) standard. Bioconversion decreased the hemolytic activity of A. esperanzae and the cytotoxicities of A. esperanzae and A. gibertii. None of the extracts was found to be mutagenic. The bioactivities of the fecal extracts were maintained, and biocompatibility was improved. Therefore, the results obtained in this study reveal positive expectations about the natural detoxification process of the Aristolochia species.

Variations of oral anatomy and common oral lesions

Abstract Several topics related to the oral cavity are briefly addressed in this article, from anatomical variations that, when recognized, avoid unnecessary investigations, to diseases that affect exclusively the mouth, mucocutaneous diseases, as well as oral manifestations of systemic diseases. A complete clinical examination comprises the examination of the mouth, and this approach facilitates clinical practice, shortening the path to diagnosis in the outpatient clinic as well as with in-hospital patients. The objective of this article is to encourage the examination of the oral cavity as a useful tool in medical practice, helping to recognize diseases in this location.

Variations of oral anatomy and common oral lesions.

Several topics related to the oral cavity are briefly addressed in this article, from anatomical variations that, when recognized, avoid unnecessary investigations, to diseases that affect exclusively the mouth, mucocutaneous diseases, as well as oral manifestations of systemic diseases. A complete clinical examination comprises the examination of the mouth, and this approach facilitates clinical practice, shortening the path to diagnosis in the outpatient clinic as well as with in-hospital patients. The objective of this article is to encourage the examination of the oral cavity as a useful tool in medical practice, helping to recognize diseases in this location.

Films composed of white angico gum and chitosan containing chlorhexidine as an antimicrobial agent.

Anadenanthera colubrina, popularly known as white angico, is a species extensively cultivated in Brazil, mainly in the cerrado region, including the state of Piauí. This study examines the development of films composed of white angico gum (WAG) and chitosan (CHI) and containing chlorhexidine (CHX), an antimicrobial agent. The solvent casting method was used to prepare films. Different combinations and concentrations of WAG and CHI were used to obtain films with good physicochemical characteristics. Properties such as the in vitro swelling ratio, the disintegration time, folding endurance, and the drug content were determined. The selected formulations were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction, and the CHX release time and antimicrobial activity were evaluated. CHX showed a homogenous distribution in all CHI/WAG film formulations. The optimised films showed good physicochemical properties with 80% CHX release over 26 h, which is considered promising for local treatment of severe lesions in the mouth. Cytotoxicity tests of the films did not show toxicity. The antimicrobial and antifungal effects were very effective against the tested microorganisms.

Freeze-dried human milk microcapsules using gum arabic and maltodextrin: An approach to improving solubility.

Human milk (HM) is essential for newborns' food, but its low storage stability is a limiting factor so that microencapsulation may stabilize and protect compounds sensitive to degradation. This study investigated the action of maltodextrin and gum arabic on freeze-dried HM concerning its quality and solubility. Microencapsulation was evidenced by morphology, and all samples presented high encapsulation efficiency (>85 %), proving to be an efficient process. Furthermore, specific signals in the Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra indicate the interactions between the coating materials and the HM matrix. Gum arabic improved the reconstitution properties of freeze-dried HM (higher solubility, 3 % on average, and lower dissolution time, around 80 %), elucidating its high stabilization capacity, even at low concentrations (5 and 10 %). Despite the best results reached by gum arabic, the addition of maltodextrin proved effective; in other words, its low stabilization capacity enables combinations with gum arabic. A lower polidispersibility (difference of 20 % between samples: control and containing gum arabic) was also observed, which means that the encapsulated samples were more homogeneous. Therefore, through the analysis performed, we recommend using gum arabic alone or with maltodextrin to obtain HM microcapsules with a good quality of reconstitution.

Characterization and application of active films based on commercial polysaccharides incorporating ZnONPs.

In the face of the environmental problems caused by using food packaging composed of non-renewable sources, the aim of this study was producing a new antimicrobial film, biodegradable and with UV barrier based on commercial κ-carrageenan/starch polysaccharides loaded zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) for the first time by casting method. Different formulations of κ-carrageenan/starch/ZnONPs were extensively characterized. The X-ray patterns displayed diffraction peaks characteristics of the crystallographic plane of ZnONPs. The formation of the material composite was confirmed by specific signals in the FTIR spectrums and endothermic peak shift after ZnONPs addition. The ZnONPs (1.5 and 2 %) produce a more resistant material. The analysis of SEM (cracks remotion of film surface), mechanical properties (higher elongation at rupture and tensile strength), and opacity (low transparency) confirm this. Still, ZnONPs at 2 % produce a hydrophobic surface, justified by lower moisture content, water solubility, and higher WCA. The ZnONPs promoted UV barrier and antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus microorganisms. Thus, the new active material was applied as a coating on fresh strawberries and delayed the ripening of the fruit, extending its shelf life. Therefore, we produced, characterized, and applied an active material with potential application in fresh food packaging.

Parasitoses intestinais no nordeste entre 2012 e 2021: uma revisão integrativa de literatura / Intestinal parasitosis in the northeast between 2012 and 2021: an integrative literature review / Parasitosis intestinales en el noreste entre 2012 y 2021: una revisión bibliográfica integradora

As parasitoses intestinais ainda constituem um problema de saúde pública no Brasil, especialmente nas regiões onde o saneamento básico e condições socioeconômicas são frágeis, como na região Nordeste. São um conjunto de doenças causadas por parasitas helmínticos ou protozoários, que acometem o intestino humano, causando sintomas, como diarreia, dor abdominal, astenia, náuseas, vômitos, entre outros. Seu diagnóstico é feito pelo parasitológico de fezes e o tratamento é baseado no uso de anti-protozoários ou anti-helmínticos. Objetivo: analisar os principais aspectos das parasitoses intestinais presentes no Nordeste, identificando aquelas mais prevalentes e as populações de maiores riscos. Metodologia: o estudo foi do tipo descritivo, utilizando-se uma revisão integrativa de literatura do período de 2012 a 2021, nas bases de dados eletrônicas Scielo, BVS e Google Acadêmico. Para o processo de busca e análise dos artigos, foi utilizado o diagrama flow. Todos os dados da pesquisa foram analisados no Microsoft Word e, posteriormente os resultados foram transformados em quadros e tabelas para melhor organização e interpretação das informações colhidas. Resultados: observou-se, a partir da análise dos 10 artigos, uma variação de 26,00% a 92,85% na taxa de infecções por parasitas intestinais na região Nordeste, em diversas populações, desde pré-escolares, escolares e adultos. Os fatores de risco que estiveram associados ao desenvolvimento, foram: falta de higiene pessoal e dos alimentos, ausência ou precariedade dos serviços de saneamento básico, baixa escolaridade e renda dos pais, qualidade da água de beber e práticas de andar descalço por parte das crianças. Considerações finais: Os resultados apontam para a necessidade de medidas preventivas e tratamento das enteroparasitoses, como mudanças de hábitos de higiene e melhorias nas condições de vida, como o acesso à água tratada e saneamento básico adequado. Além disso, é importante que surjam mais estudos epidemiológicos para subsidiar medidas de controle e prevenção adequadas e eficazes.

Intestinal parasites are still a public health problem in Brazil, especially in regions where basic sanitation and socioeconomic conditions are fragile, as in the Northeast region. They are a set of diseases caused by helminthic or protozoan parasites, which affect the human intestine, causing symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, asthenia, nausea, vomiting, among others. Its diagnosis is made by fecal parasitology and treatment is based on the use of anti-protozoal or anthelmintic agents. Objective: to analyze the main aspects of intestinal parasites present in the Northeast, identifying the most prevalent ones and the populations at greatest risk. Methodology: the study was descriptive, using an integrative literature review from 2012 to 2021, in the electronic databases Scielo, BVS and Google Scholar. For the process of searching and analyzing the articles, the flow diagram was used. All survey data were analyzed in Microsoft Excel and, later, the results were transformed into graphs and tables for better interpretation of the collected information. RESULTS: from the analysis of the 10 articles, a variation from 26.00% to 92.85% was observed in the rate of infections by intestinal parasites in the Northeast region, in different populations, from preschoolers, schoolchildren and adults. The risk factors that were associated with development were: lack of personal hygiene and food, absence or precariousness of basic sanitation services, low parental education and income, quality of drinking water and practices of walking barefoot by children. Final Considerations: The results point to the need for preventive measures and treatment of intestinal parasites, such as changes in hygiene habits and improvements in living conditions, such as access to treated water and adequate basic sanitation. In addition, it is important that more epidemiological studies appear to support appropriate and effective control and prevention measures.

Las parasitosis intestinales siguen siendo un problema de salud pública en Brasil, especialmente en regiones donde el saneamiento básico y las condiciones socioeconómicas son frágiles, como en la región Nordeste. Son un conjunto de enfermedades causadas por parásitos helmínticos o protozoarios, que afectan el intestino humano, causando síntomas como diarrea, dolor abdominal, astenia, náuseas, vómitos, entre otros. Su diagnóstico se realiza mediante parasitología fecal y el tratamiento se basa en el uso de agentes antiprotozoarios o antihelmínticos. Objetivo: analizar los principales aspectos de los parásitos intestinales presentes en el Nordeste, identificando los más prevalentes y las poblaciones de mayor riesgo. Metodología: el estudio fue descriptivo, utilizando una revisión bibliográfica integradora de 2012 a 2021, en las bases de datos electrónicas Scielo, BVS y Google Scholar. Para el proceso de búsqueda y análisis de los artículos, se utilizó el diagrama de flujo. Todos los datos de la encuesta fueron analizados en Microsoft Excel y, posteriormente, los resultados fueron transformados en gráficos y tablas para una mejor interpretación de la información recogida. Resultados: a partir del análisis de los 10 artículos, se observó una variación de 26,00% a 92,85% en la tasa de infecciones por parásitos intestinales en la región Nordeste, en diferentes poblaciones, desde preescolares, escolares y adultos. Los factores de riesgo que se asociaron al desarrollo fueron: falta de higiene personal y alimentaria, ausencia o precariedad de servicios de saneamiento básico, baja escolaridad e ingresos de los padres, calidad del agua de consumo y prácticas de caminar descalzo por parte de los niños. Consideraciones Finales: Los resultados apuntan a la necesidad de medidas preventivas y de tratamiento de los parásitos intestinales, como cambios en los hábitos de higiene y mejoras en las condiciones de vida, como el acceso a agua tratada y a un saneamiento básico adecuado. Además, es importante que aparezcan más estudios epidemiológicos que respalden medidas de control y prevención adecuadas y eficaces.