Disinfectant activities of extracts and metabolites from Baccharis dracunculifolia DC.

The concern regarding the harm caused by biocides to human health has been increasing over the years, making the natural products an alternative to less toxic and more efficient biocides. Therefore, this paper reports the investigation of the disinfectant potential of extracts and isolated compounds from Baccharis dracunculifolia. For this purpose, extracts of aerial parts (BD-C), tricomial wash (BD-L) and roots (BD-R) of B. dracunculifolia were obtained by maceration. The extracts were submitted to different chromatographic techniques, including high-speedy countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) furnishing nine isolated compounds. The extracts and isolated compounds were evaluated regarding their antimicrobial activity by the broth microdilution method, according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, and regarding their sanitizing activity according to Standard Operating Procedure No. 65·3210·007 (INCQS, 2011), developed by the National Institute for Quality Control in Health (INCQS) - Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ). In the antimicrobial evaluation the BD-C extract showed minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 200 and 100 µg/ml against Staphylococcus aureus and Tricophyton mentagrophytes, respectively. BD-L extract showed MIC value of 200 µg/ml against S. aureus. The isolated compounds caffeic acid (MBC 2·22 µmol l-1 ), ferulic acid (MBC 2·06 µmol l-1 ) and baccharin (MBC 0·27 µmol l-1 ) showed significant inhibitory activity against S. aureus. All B. dracunculifolia isolated compounds were active with exception of aromadrendin-4´-O-methyl-ether for T. mentagrophytes. Additionally, isosakuranetin was active against Salmonella choleraesuis (MIC 1·4 µmol l-1 ). Regarding the sanitizing activity, the hydroalcoholic solution containing 0·2% of B. dracunculifolia extract in 40°GL ethanol was effective in eliminating the microbial contamination on all carrier cylinders and against all microorganisms evaluated in the recommended exposure time of 10 min. Therefore, B. dracunculifolia has potential for the development of sanitizing agents to be used in hospitals, food manufactures and homes.

Effect of intrabronchial platelet rich plasma on the exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage endoscopic score in thoroughbred racehorses using furosemide: a preliminary study / [Efeito da instilação intrabronquial de plasma rico em plaquetas no escore endoscópico da hemorragia pulmonar induzida por exercício em cavalos Puro-Sangue Inglês de corrida e usuários de furosemida: um estudo preliminar]

The high prevalence of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) in athletic horses constitutes to be a challenge to the racing industry and a source of major concern to animal welfare. Both experimental and clinical evidence indicate that the use of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a promising effector of repair in a variety of pulmonary conditions. The present study evaluated the effect of intrabronchial instillation of PRP on EIPH endoscopic scores from 37 Thoroughbred racehorses. Inclusion criteria were for animals to be EIPH-positive in, at least, two consecutive post-exercise endoscopic exams and to receive 250mg of furosemide IV four hours before racing. Animals were randomly assigned into 3 groups: placebo, control, and PRP instillation. All 37 Thoroughbred racehorses included had EIPH endoscopic scores pre- and post- treatment compared by statistical analysis. The bleeding score from the group receiving PRP was significantly lower than in the control and placebo groups. No adverse effects were observed in any animal during or after the experiment. It was possible to conclude that the intrabronchial instillation of autologous PRP was effective in reducing EIPH scores in racehorses receiving furosemide and that this bioproduct can be considered as a promising coadjuvant in controlling EIPH in athletic horses.(AU)

A alta prevalência de hemorragia pulmonar induzida por exercício (HPIE) em cavalos atletas é um desafio de longa data para a indústria de corridas, além de figurar como grande preocupação sobre o bem-estar animal. As evidências experimentais e clínicas indicam que o uso do plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP) de fonte autógena é promissor na terapêutica de diversas lesões pulmonares. O presente estudo objetivou avaliar as mudanças após corrida no escore endoscópico de HPIE de 37 cavalos Puro-Sangue Inglês que receberam instilação intrabronquial de PRP autólogo. Os animais selecionados eram HPIE-positivos em, ao menos, dois exames endoscópicos consecutivos e recebiam 250mg de furosemida IV administrado quatro horas antes de cada corrida. Na comparação dos escores endoscópicos pré e pós-tratamento, verificou-se que o escore de HPIE do grupo tratado com PRP foi significantemente menor que o dos grupos controle e placebo. Nenhum efeito adverso foi observado nos animais durante ou após o experimento. Concluiu-se que a instilação intrabronquial de PRP autólogo foi efetiva na redução do escore de HPIE de cavalos de corrida usuários de furosemida e que este bioproduto pode ser considerado uma alternativa promissora no controle de HPIE em cavalos atletas.(AU)

Fog Computing Model to Orchestrate the Consumption and Production of Energy in Microgrids.

Energy advancement and innovation have generated several challenges for large modernized cities, such as the increase in energy demand, causing the appearance of the small power grid with a local source of supply, called the Microgrid. A Microgrid operates either connected to the national centralized power grid or singly, as a power island mode. Microgrids address these challenges using sensing technologies and Fog-Cloudcomputing infrastructures for building smart electrical grids. A smart Microgrid can be used to minimize the power demand problem, but this solution needs to be implemented correctly so as not to increase the amount of data being generated. Thus, this paper proposes the use of Fog computing to help control power demand and manage power production by eliminating the high volume of data being passed to the Cloud and decreasing the requests' response time. The GridLab-d simulator was used to create a Microgrid, where it is possible to exchange information between consumers and generators. Thus, to understand the potential of the Fog in this scenario, a performance evaluation is performed to verify how factors such as residence number, optimization algorithms, appliance shifting, and energy sources may influence the response time and resource usage.

Mobility versus retention of mercury in bare and salt marsh sediments of a recovering coastal lagoon (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal).

During decades, mercury (Hg) was discharged into the Aveiro Lagoon. Twenty-five years after the cessation of discharges, sediment cores were collected at two areas to assess the evolution of the mercury contamination status. Vertical Hg profiles differed considerably between bare and vegetated sediments. Bare sediments contained significantly less Hg (<8 mg kg-1) than historical data of 1995 (up to 40 mg kg-1), probably resulting from erosion. Salt marsh sediments were marked by a Hg sub-surface enrichment, reaching 44 mg kg-1 in the site closer to the industrial discharge point. High Hg concentrations in 2007, 2011 and 2016 were found at similar sediment layers. These results emphasise the role of halophyte plants in the cycling and retention of Hg in sediments. The persistency of high Hg in the upper marsh layers highlights the complexity in the recovery of historically contaminated marshes and the vulnerability to modifications in hydrology associated with climate changes.

Designing the ammonium cation to achieve a higher hydrophilicity of bistriflimide-based ionic liquids.

In this work, we have found complete water miscibility for a priori, water immiscible (highly hydrophobic) ionic liquids by chemical manipulation of the quaternary ammonium cation grafted with hydroxyethyl moieties. Specifically, we were able to obtain bistriflimide-based ionic liquids completely miscible with water, even below room temperature. The underlying reason is the full integration of the OH groups of the cation in the continuous H-bonded network of water.

Lessons learned from a pilot study of an Indigenous patient navigator intervention in Queensland, Australia.

Indigenous patient navigator (IPN) programmes show promise in addressing barriers to cancer care and facilitation of patient self-efficacy. The purpose of this paper is to describe and reflect upon the experience of training an IPN and implementation of the intervention in the Australian context with Indigenous cancer patients. Randomised clinical trial might provide the best available evaluation measure of an intervention but caution should be taken in the implementation process. Socio-cultural aspects and training can affect the conduct of this type of intervention. We report here five issues needing consideration prior to implementing such intervention. Specifically: (1) recognition of the collective bonds within Indigenous community and understanding by IPN of the degree of personal assistance perceived as not intrusive by the patient; (2) conduct ongoing evaluation of the different role of an IPN involved in this intervention care provider vs. researcher. (3) meaningful engagement develops from a trusting/collaborative relationship between research team and study site staff which may not occur in the study time frame; (4) existing skills as well as training provided may not translate in the IPN understanding and aligning with the study objectives/research values; (5) recruitment of participants requires innovative and highly flexible strategies to be successful.

Follow-up cancer care: perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore Indigenous Australian cancer survivors' perspectives of follow-up cancer care and management.. METHODS: This is a qualitative study employing individual interviews with 21 Indigenous cancer survivors (13 females, 8 males) recruited from a rural primary health service and large tertiary hospital in Brisbane, Queensland. Yarning methods were used to conduct semi-structured interviews. Yarning is a culturally appropriate, informal conversational process emphasising the importance of storytelling. RESULTS: Findings describe a range of ways in which follow-up cancer care is experienced with four major categories elucidated, namely: links to tertiary health services, links to primary health services, communication between tertiary and primary health services, and lost in transition. Both positive and negative experiences were described; however, the importance of timely and informative discharge information, continuity of care, good communication between tertiary and primary health services, and strong therapeutic relationships were salient issues raised by participants. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of establishing strong therapeutic relationships between patients and tertiary and primary health professionals. Also important for survivorship is provision of discharge summaries or care plans at discharge for survivors and general practitioners as well as access to a range of allied health services. Alternative means for follow-up could be investigated for regional and rural survivors to facilitate convenient and cost-effective follow-up care. Finally, provision of responsive and flexible follow-up care to cater for the diverse range of needs and preferences of cancer survivors is required. A patient navigator available across the cancer continuum could go some way to addressing this.

Supportive care needs among Indigenous cancer patients in Queensland, Australia: less comorbidity is associated with greater practical and cultural unmet need.

Little is known about the supportive care needs (SCN) of Australian Indigenous cancer patients. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between comorbidity and SCN among newly diagnosed Indigenous cancer patients in Queensland. Comorbidity was ascertained from medical chart review using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and SCN were measured using the Supportive Care Needs Assessment Tool for Indigenous Peoples (SCNAT-IP). Of 183 participants, 76 (42%) had no comorbidity (CCI = 0), 60 (33%) had had a CCI score of 1 and 47 (26%) had a CCI of two or more, with the most common condition being diabetes (30%). The most common moderate-high unmet need items varied between comorbidity groups, although all patients most frequently reported moderate-high unmet need in the Physical and Psychological and the Practical and Cultural needs domains. Patients with the greatest comorbidity (CCI ≥ 2) had significantly more reduced odds of practical and cultural needs than patients without comorbidity (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.11-0.75). This appeared to be partially explained by time since diagnosis, age, whether they were receiving current treatment and residential remoteness. Patients' experience of chronic disease, hospitals and the healthcare system may better prepare them for the practical and cultural aspects of their cancer journey.

The periodized resistance training promotes similar changes in lipid profile in middle-aged men and women.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of 16 weeks of periodized resistance training in lipid profile in sedentary middle-aged men and women. METHODS: Healthy subjects (N.=50), middle-aged men and postmenopausal women (>12 months amenorrhea), were randomized into resistance training men (RTM), resistance training women (RTW), control group men (CGM) and control group women (CGW). They performed three weekly sessions for 16 weeks (9 exercises with 3 x 8-10 RM and with a 60-90 seconds rest period). RESULTS: Trained groups showed significant decrease in total cholesterol (TC) (RTM -23.61%; RTW -21.08%; P=0.0001) and LDL-C (RTM -35.68%; RTW -38.53%; P=0.0001). No significant changes were observed in HDL-C and triglycerides (TG). No significant changes were found in plasma levels of LDL-C, HDL-C and TG for control groups, though there were significant differences between CGM and CGW for TC. CONCLUSION: The present results indicate that 16 weeks of periodized RT contribute to decrease of cardiovascular risk factors, such as LDL-C and TC in middle-aged men and women, even without changes in body mass and body mass index.

Resistance training and glycogen content in ovariectomized rats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of resistance training on glycogen content and muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) in ovariectomized rats. Wistar rats were divided into: sedentary; ovariectomized sedentary; resistance trained; and ovariectomized resistance trained. In the 12-week resistance training, the animals climbed a 1.1 m vertical ladder, 3 days per week, with 4-8 climbs. Cardiac, liver and muscle glycogen content was determined. After the 12-week resistance training period there was a higher hepatic and muscle glycogen content in the resistance training group compared with the other groups (p<0.01). CSA was higher in soleus for the resistance trained, ovariectomized resistance trained and sedentary compared with ovariectomized sedentary (p<0.05). Ovariectomy attenuated the increase in liver and muscle glycogen content, while soleus muscle cross-sectional area increased with resistance training, even in ovariectomized rats. Resistance training could be an important exercise to increase muscle function in situations of reduced estrogen and progesterone.

Role of the lizard Teira dugesii as a potential host for Ixodes ricinus tick-borne pathogens.

PCR screening of ticks and tissue samples collected from 151 Teira dugesii lizards seems to indicate a potential role of this lizard species in the maintenance and transmission cycle of some Ixodes ricinus tick-borne agents, such as Rickettsia monacensis, Rickettsia helvetica, and Borrelia lusitaniae, that are circulating on Madeira Island.

Neutralization of pharmacological and toxic activities of Bothrops jararacussu snake venom and isolated myotoxins by Serjania erecta methanolic extract and its fractions

Most of the snakebites recorded in Brazil are caused by the Bothrops genus. Given that the local tissue damage caused by this genus cannot be treated by antivenom therapy, numerous studies are focusing on supplementary alternatives, such as the use of medicinal plants. Serjania erecta has already demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and healing properties. In the current study, the aerial parts of S. erecta were extracted with methanol, then submitted to chromatographic fractionation on a Sephadex LH20 column and eluted with methanol, which resulted in four main fractions. The crude extract and fractions neutralized the toxic activities of Bothrops jararacussu snake venom and isolated myotoxins (BthTX-I and II). Results showed that phospholipase A2, fibrinogenolytic, myotoxic and hemorrhagic activities were inhibited by the extract. Moreover, the myotoxic and edematous activities induced by BthTX-I, and phospholipase A2 activity induced by BthTX-II, were inhibited by the extract of S. erecta and its fraction. The clotting time on bovine plasma was significantly prolonged by the inhibitory action of fractions SF3 and SF4. This extract is a promising source of natural inhibitors, such as flavonoids and tannins, which act by forming complexes with metal ions and proteins, inhibiting the action of serineproteases, metalloproteases and phospholipases A2.

IgE cross-reactivity between Lolium multiflorum and commercial grass pollen allergen extracts in Brazilian patients with pollinosis

Lolium multiflorum (Lm) grass pollen is the major cause of pollinosis in Southern Brazil. The objectives of this study were to investigate immunodominant components of Lm pollen allergens and the cross-reactivity of IgE with commercial grass pollen allergen extracts. Thirty-eight serum samples from patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), 35 serum samples from patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) and 30 serum samples from non-atopic subjects were analyzed. Allergen sensitization was evaluated using skin prick test and serum IgE levels against Lm pollen extract were determined by ELISA. Inhibition ELISA and immunoblot were used to evaluate the cross-reactivity of IgE between allergens from Lm and commercial grass pollen extracts, including L. perenne (Lp), grass mix I (GI) and II (GII) extracts. IgE antibodies against Lm were detected in 100 percent of SAR patients and 8.6 percent of PAR patients. Inhibition ELISA demonstrated IgE cross-reactivity between homologous (Lm) and heterologous (Lp or GII) grass pollen extracts, but not for the GI extract. Fifteen IgE-binding Lm components were detected and immunoblot bands of 26, 28-30, and 32-35 kDa showed >90 percent recognition. Lm, Lp and GII extracts significantly inhibited IgE binding to the most immunodominant Lm components, particularly the 55 kDa band. The 26 kDa and 90-114 kDa bands presented the lowest amount of heterologous inhibition. We demonstrated that Lm extract contains both Lm-specific and cross-reactive IgE-binding components and therefore it is suitable for measuring quantitative IgE levels for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in patients with pollinosis sensitized to Lm grass pollen rather than other phylogenetically related grass pollen extracts.

IgE cross-reactivity between Lolium multiflorum and commercial grass pollen allergen extracts in Brazilian patients with pollinosis.

Lolium multiflorum (Lm) grass pollen is the major cause of pollinosis in Southern Brazil. The objectives of this study were to investigate immunodominant components of Lm pollen allergens and the cross-reactivity of IgE with commercial grass pollen allergen extracts. Thirty-eight serum samples from patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), 35 serum samples from patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) and 30 serum samples from non-atopic subjects were analyzed. Allergen sensitization was evaluated using skin prick test and serum IgE levels against Lm pollen extract were determined by ELISA. Inhibition ELISA and immunoblot were used to evaluate the cross-reactivity of IgE between allergens from Lm and commercial grass pollen extracts, including L. perenne (Lp), grass mix I (GI) and II (GII) extracts. IgE antibodies against Lm were detected in 100% of SAR patients and 8.6% of PAR patients. Inhibition ELISA demonstrated IgE cross-reactivity between homologous (Lm) and heterologous (Lp or GII) grass pollen extracts, but not for the GI extract. Fifteen IgE-binding Lm components were detected and immunoblot bands of 26, 28-30, and 32-35 kDa showed >90% recognition. Lm, Lp and GII extracts significantly inhibited IgE binding to the most immunodominant Lm components, particularly the 55 kDa band. The 26 kDa and 90-114 kDa bands presented the lowest amount of heterologous inhibition. We demonstrated that Lm extract contains both Lm-specific and cross-reactive IgE-binding components and therefore it is suitable for measuring quantitative IgE levels for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in patients with pollinosis sensitized to Lm grass pollen rather than other phylogenetically related grass pollen extracts.

Proatherosclerotic effects of chronic stress in male rats: altered phenylephrine sensitivity and nitric oxide synthase activity of aorta and circulating lipids.

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of chronic mild unpredictable stress (CMS) on the vasoconstrictor response and morphology of the thoracic aorta and serum lipid profiles in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were submitted to CMS, which consisted of the application of different stressors for 7 days per week across 3 weeks. The rats were sacrificed 15 days after CMS exposure. CMS induced supersensitivity to the vasoconstrictor effect of phenylephrine in endothelium-intact thoracic aortic rings without changes in aortic rings without endothelium, or pre-incubated with nitric oxide (NO) synthesis inhibitor. Rats submitted to CMS showed hypertrophy of the intima and tunica media of thoracic aorta, increased serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and atherogenic index, without changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, when compared with control rats. These data indicate that CMS induces physiological and morphological changes that may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis by mechanisms related to deficiency in NO production and dyslipidemia.

Humoral and cellular immune responses to Blomia tropicalis and concanavalin A-binding fractions in atopic patients.

Blomia tropicalis, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae are prevalent house dust mites. Concanavalin A-binding components derived from B. tropicalis (Bt-ConA extract) are highly immunogenic in allergic diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the humoral and cellular immune responses to B. tropicalis in mite-sensitized patients. A total of 137 patients with allergic rhinitis with/without asthma and 109 non-atopic subjects were selected and analyzed by the skin prick test, and for total serum IgE and specific IgE levels to both Bt-total and Bt-ConA extracts, their proliferative response and cytokine (IFN-gamma and IL-5) production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with both extracts. Skin prick test showed that 70% of the patients were sensitized to Bt (Bt+) and similar levels of specific IgE to Bt-total and Bt-ConA extracts were demonstrable in Bt+ patients. Significant PBMC proliferation was observed in response to Bt-total extract in Bt+, but not in Bt- patients and non-atopic subjects (P < 0.001). Bt-ConA extract induced increased proliferative responses in all patient groups compared to medium alone (P < 0.05), but these responses were significantly decreased in the presence of the mannopyranoside ConA inhibitor (P < 0.05). Significant IFN-gamma production was observed after Bt-ConA stimulation of Bt+ patients (P < 0.05), while Bt-total extract had no effect. IL-5 production was consistently detected in Bt+ patients after allergen-specific stimulation or with no stimulus, indicating that PBMC from allergic patients are prone to produce Th2 profile cytokines, spontaneously or inductively by allergen restimulation. These data showed that ConA-binding components isolated from B. tropicalis may contain relevant antigens that are involved in both humoral and cellular immune responses. However, without an additional purification procedure to eliminate the residual contamination with ConA, its use in immunotherapeutic procedures cannot be recommended.

Humoral and cellular immune responses to Blomia tropicalis and concanavalin A-binding fractions in atopic patients

Blomia tropicalis, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae are prevalent house dust mites. Concanavalin A-binding components derived from B. tropicalis (Bt-ConA extract) are highly immunogenic in allergic diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the humoral and cellular immune responses to B. tropicalis in mite-sensitized patients. A total of 137 patients with allergic rhinitis with/without asthma and 109 non-atopic subjects were selected and analyzed by the skin prick test, and for total serum IgE and specific IgE levels to both Bt-total and Bt-ConA extracts, their proliferative response and cytokine (IFN-ã and IL-5) production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with both extracts. Skin prick test showed that 70 percent of the patients were sensitized to Bt (Bt+) and similar levels of specific IgE to Bt-total and Bt-ConA extracts were demonstrable in Bt+ patients. Significant PBMC proliferation was observed in response to Bt-total extract in Bt+, but not in Bt- patients and non-atopic subjects (P < 0.001). Bt-ConA extract induced increased proliferative responses in all patient groups compared to medium alone (P < 0.05), but these responses were significantly decreased in the presence of the mannopyranoside ConA inhibitor (P < 0.05). Significant IFN-ã production was observed after Bt-ConA stimulation of Bt+ patients (P < 0.05), while Bt-total extract had no effect. IL-5 production was consistently detected in Bt+ patients after allergen-specific stimulation or with no stimulus, indicating that PBMC from allergic patients are prone to produce Th2 profile cytokines, spontaneously or inductively by allergen restimulation. These data showed that ConA-binding components isolated from B. tropicalis may contain relevant antigens that are involved in both humoral and cellular immune responses. However, without an additional purification procedure to eliminate the residual contamination with...