Enterococcus faecalis: implications for host health.

The microbiota represents a crucial area of research in maintaining human health due to its potential for uncovering novel biomarkers, therapies, and molecular mechanisms relevant to population identification and experimental model characterization. Among these microorganisms, Enterococcus faecalis, a Gram-positive bacterium found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals, holds particular significance. Strains of this bacterial species have sparked considerable debate in the literature due to their dual nature; they can either be utilized as probiotics in the food industry or demonstrate resistance to antibiotics, potentially leading to severe illness, disability, and death. Given the diverse characteristics of Enterococcus faecalis strains, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of their impact on various systems within the host, including the immunological, cardiovascular, metabolic, and nervous systems. Furthermore, we summarize the bacterium-host interaction characteristics and molecular effects to highlight their targets, features, and overall impact on microbial communities and host health.

Hunting for Genes Underlying Emotionality in the Laboratory Rat: Maps, Tools and Traps.

Scientists have systematically investigated the hereditary bases of behaviors since the 19th century, moved by either evolutionary questions or clinically-motivated purposes. The pioneer studies on the genetic selection of laboratory animals had already indicated, one hundred years ago, the immense complexity of analyzing behaviors that were influenced by a large number of small-effect genes and an incalculable amount of environmental factors. Merging Mendelian, quantitative and molecular approaches in the 1990s made it possible to map specific rodent behaviors to known chromosome regions. From that point on, Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analyses coupled with behavioral and molecular techniques, which involved in vivo isolation of relevant blocks of genes, opened new avenues for gene mapping and characterization. This review examines the QTL strategy applied to the behavioral study of emotionality, with a focus on the laboratory rat. We discuss the challenges, advances and limitations of the search for Quantitative Trait Genes (QTG) playing a role in regulating emotionality. For the past 25 years, we have marched the long journey from emotionality-related behaviors to genes. In this context, our experiences are used to illustrate why and how one should move forward in the molecular understanding of complex psychiatric illnesses. The promise of exploring genetic links between immunological and emotional responses are also discussed. New strategies based on humans, rodents and other animals (such as zebrafish) are also acknowledged, as they are likely to allow substantial progress to be made in the near future.

A Bioguided Approach for the Screening of Antibacterial Compounds Isolated From the Hydroalcoholic Extract of the Native Brazilian Bee's Propolis Using Mollicutes as a Model.

Nature is a vast source of medicinal substances, including propolis, which has been extensively investigated. Propolis is a resinous substance produced by bees from the exudates of plants that they collect and modify in their jaws; it is a rich and complex matrix with secondary metabolites of diverse botanical origins. The objective of this study was to apply an in vitro bioguided approach using as a model system the mollicutes with a sample of propolis from the Brazilian native bee Melipona quadrifasciata (mandaçaia) in order to identify potential new molecules with antimicrobial activity. A crude hydroalcoholic extract was obtained and submitted to liquid-liquid partitioning with solvents of different polarities, generating four different fractions: aqueous, dichloromethane, butanol, and ethyl acetate fractions. The antimollicute activity assays served as a basis for the bioguided fractionation. The dichloromethane fraction was the most promising, exhibiting a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 125 µg/mL against Mycoplasma pneumoniae. After purification by column liquid chromatography, a subfraction presenting MIC of 15.6 µg/mL against Mycoplasma genitalium was highlighted. The fractions were also tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Using gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS), several volatile compounds were identified in the non-polar fractions of this propolis. However, the more purified molecules had no better antimollicute activity than their original subfraction. Apparently, the synergism among its compounds is largely responsible for the antibacterial activity of the propolis of this native Brazilian bee.

Prevalência de indivíduos com alto risco para diabetes atendidos pelo Laboratório de Análises Clínicas da Fundação Universidade Regional de Blumenau / Prevalence of high-risk individuals for diabetes attended by the Laboratory of Clinical Analyzes of the Blumenau Regional University Foundation

Objetivo: Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a prevalência de pacientes diabéticos atendimentos no Laboratório de Análises Clínicas da FURB (LAC-FURB), no ano 2015. Métodos: Análise estatística dos dados dos pacientes que realizaram glicemia de jejum e hemoglobina glicada. Foram analisados também os parciais de urina realizados no mesmo dia dos exames plasmáticos, citados anteriormente. Os pacientes apresentavam idade do 0 aos 93 anos com idade média de 46 anos. A coleta dos dados foi realizada no banco de dados do LAC-FURB. Foram excluídos das análises os dados das gestantes pelo diagnóstico diferenciado e os exames de teste de tolerância oral a glicose devido ao pequeno tamanho amostral. Resultados: Foram atendidos no ano de 2015 no LAC-FURB 929 pacientes dos quais 689 realizaram os exames de glicemia de jejum e/ou hemoglobina glicada. De acordo com a análise estatística concluiu-se que 13% dos pacientes tiveram resultados compatíveis com Diabetes mellitus (DM) e 23% foram considerados intolerantes à glicose. Além disso, observou-se que existe uma forte correlação entre os resultados de glicose plasmática de jejum elevada e de hemoglobina glicada, também elevada, assim como os pacientes que apresentaram níveis sanguíneos de glicose acima de 180 mg/dL apresentaram glicosúria. Conclusão: A DM é uma doença complexa que requer inúmeros cuidados e acompanhamento. A análise dos dados evidenciou que 13% dos pacientes tiveram resultados compatíveis com DM e 23% foram considerados intolerantes à glicose, sendo que a maioria dos pacientes diagnosticados foram mulheres. Fatores como o climatério associados com a cultura de maior preocupação e procura por serviços de saúde deste público explicam estes resultados.

Antimicrobial (including antimollicutes), antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities of Brazilian and Spanish marine organisms – evaluation of extracts and pure compounds

Abstract This work describes the antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticholinesterase activities in vitro of organic extracts from fourteen seaweeds, eleven sponges, two ascidians, one bryozoan, and one sea anemone species collected along the Brazilian and Spanish coast, as well as the isolation of the diterpene (4R, 9S, 14S)-4α-acetoxy-9β,14α-dihydroxydolast-1(15),7-diene (1) and halogenated sesquiterpene elatol (2). The most promising antimicrobial results for cell wall bacteria were obtained by extracts from seaweeds Laurencia dendroidea and Sargassum vulgare var. nanun (MIC 250 μg/ml), and by the bryozoan Bugula neritina (MIC 62.5 μg/ml), both against Staphylococcus aureus. As for antimollicutes, extracts from seaweeds showed results better than the extracts from invertebrates. Almost all seaweeds assayed (92%) exhibited some antimicrobial activity against mollicutes strains (Mycoplasma hominis,Mycoplasma genitalium,Mycoplasma capricolum and Mycoplasma pneumoniae strain FH). From these seaweeds, A1 (Canistrocarpus cervicornis), A11 (Gracilaria sp.) and A4 (Lobophora variegata) showed the best results for M. pneumoniae strain FH (MIC 250 μg/ml). Furthermore, compounds 1 and 2 were also assayed against mollicutes strains M. hominis,M. genitalium,M. capricolum,M. pneumoniae strain 129 and M. pneumoniae strain FH, which showed MIC > 100 μg/ml. Antioxidant activities of extracts from these marine organisms were inactive, except for E7 (from sponge Ircinia sp.), which exhibited moderated antioxidant activities for two methods assayed (IC50 83.0 ± 0.1 μg/ml, and 52.0 ± 0.8 mg AA/g, respectively). Finally, for the anticholinesterase activity, all the 29 samples evaluated (100%) exhibited some level of activity, with IC50 < 1000 μg/ml. From these, seaweeds extracts were considered more promising than marine invertebrate extracts [A10 (IC50 14.4 ± 0.1 μg/ml), A16 (IC50 16.4 ± 0.4 μg/ml) and A8 (IC50 14.9 ± 0.5 μg/ml)]. The findings of this work are useful for further research aiming at isolation and characterization of active compounds.