Photodynamic therapy of cationic and anionic BSA-curcumin nanoparticles on amastigotes of Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania major and Leishmania amazonensis.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a neglected disease prevalent in tropical countries, and conventional treatment can cause several serious side effects. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can be considered a promising treatment alternative, as it is non-invasive therapy that has no side effects and uses accessible and low-cost substances, such as curcumin. This study evaluated the PDT response with cationic and anionic BSA nanoparticles encapsulated with curcumin in macrophages infected with L. braziliensis, L. major, and L. amazonensis. The nanoparticle system was characterized using a steady-state technique, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study, and its biological activity was evaluated using macrophage cell lines infected with different Leishmania species. All spectroscopy measurements demonstrated that BSA curcumin (BSACur) has good photophysical properties, and confocal microscopy shows that macrophages and protozoa internalized the nanoparticles. The viability test demonstrated that at low concentrations, such as 0.1, 0.7, and 1.0 µmol. L-1, there was a decrease in cell viability after PDT application. Furthermore, a decrease in the number of parasites recovered was observed in the PDT groups. The results allowed us to conclude that curcumin loaded into BSA nanoparticles may have potential application in drug delivery systems for PDT protocols, demonstrating reduced cell viability at lower concentrations than free curcumin.

Molecular effects of photodynamic therapy with curcumin on Leishmania major promastigotes.

Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease mainly affecting low-income populations. Conventional treatment involves several side effects, is expensive, and, in addition, protozoa can develop resistance. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising alternative in treating the disease. PDT involves applying light at a specific wavelength to activate a photosensitive compound (photosensitizer, PS), to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Curcumin and its photochemical characteristics make it a good candidate for photodynamic therapy. Studies evaluating gene expression can help to understand the molecular events involved in the cell death caused by PDT. In the present study, RNA was extracted from promastigotes from the control and treated groups after applying PDT. RT-qPCR was performed to verify the expression of the putative ATPase beta subunit (ATPS), ATP synthase subunit A (F0F1), argininosuccinate synthase 1 (ASS), ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2), glycoprotein 63 (GP63), superoxide dismutase (FeSODA), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) genes (QR). The results suggest that PDT altered the expression of genes that participate in oxidative stress and cell death pathways, such as ATPS, FeSODA, and G6PD. The ATP-F0F1, ASS, and GP63 genes did not have their expression altered. However, it is essential to highlight that other genes may be involved in the molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress and, consequently, in the death of parasites.

Feasibility of the Glittre-ADL test in the preoperative period of thoracic surgery.

BACKGROUND: The Glittre-ADL test (TGlittre) broadly meets the need for an objective evaluation of physical function, using similar activities to those of daily living. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether TGlittre in the preoperative assessment of patients who are candidates for thoracic surgery is associated with measures of pulmonary function, body balance, and quality of life and, secondarily, whether TGlittre may be related to postoperative complications. METHODS: This study evaluated 34 patients in the preoperative period of thoracic surgery. Participants underwent the following assessments: TGlittre; pulmonary function tests; St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire; and Berg Balance Scale. For participants who underwent thoracic surgery (n = 18), the following variables were taken: surgical time; time in intensive care unit; chest drain duration; and hospital stay after surgery. RESULTS: The median time to perform TGlittre tasks compared to the predicted was 137 (116-179) % predicted. There was significant correlation between TGlittre time and the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (rs = -0.334, p = .042). TGlittre time correlated significantly with the Berg Balance Scale (rs = -0.359, p = .036). We observed a significant correlation between TGlittre time and chest drain duration in the postoperative period (rs = 0.651, p = .003). CONCLUSION: Patients in the preoperative period of thoracic surgery have a reduced functional capacity to exertion, which can be explained at least in part by worse pulmonary gas exchange and body imbalance. Furthermore, TGlittre is possibly a prognostic test for postoperative complications, especially with respect to chest tube duration.

Photodynamic effect of protoporphyrin IX in gliosarcoma 9l/lacZ cell line.

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is an oncologic treatment, producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) to induce the death of cancer cells. This study aimed to evaluate the action of PDT on gliosarcoma cells, using protoporphyrin IX as PS by incubation with the precursor aminolevulinic acid (ALA). An LED device was used with a light dose of 10 J/cm². The success of the therapy proved to be dependent on the concentration of ALA, and an incubation time of 4 h required for an effective response. Cell death was prevalent due to necrosis when assessed 18 h post-PDT. ALA proved to be an option to PDT in cells of the 9 L/lacZ, with the protocol tested.

Percepção dos profissionais de saúde sobre a atuação de acadêmicos no contexto da Atenção Primária / Perception of health professionals on undergraduate students acting in the context of primary care

A Atenção Primária em Saúde (APS) é um cenário importante para a graduação dos cursos na área da saúde. Objetiva-se descrever e analisar a percepção dos profissionais da saúde de uma Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS) sobre a atuação dos acadêmicos de enfermagem, medicina e odontologia. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo e exploratório de abordagem qualitativa, por meio da realização de entrevistas semiestruturadas aplicadas a profissionais atuantes na UBS em questão. A UBS apresentou recursos humanos adequados para atender às necessidades dos estudantes, mas uma insuficiência na estrutura física. A atuação dos estudantes traz contribuições para a organização do serviço e atendimento da população, apesar de diminuir a agilidade do serviço e limitar a longitudinalidade nos atendimentos. Conclui-se que a participação de estudantes na UBS agrega valor e é necessária para a formação acadêmica, como meio de ampliar a compreensão do processo saúde-doença e das possibilidades de cuidado.

Primary Health Care (PHC) is an important scenario for undergraduate health courses. The objective is to describe and analyse the perception of health professionals on undergraduate students on nursing, medicine, and dentistry acting in a Basic Health Unit (BHU). It is a descriptive and exploratory study of a qualitative approach with personal semi-structured interviews applied to professionals working in the BHU. The unit presents adequate human resources to attend to the students' needs, despite the physical structure being unsatisfying. The undergraduate students' performance brings contributions to the organization of the service and attendance of the population, although it can reduce and limit the agility and the longitudinality of the service. Through this study, the undergraduate students' participation in the BHU adds value and is essential for academic training as a means to broaden the understanding of the health-disease process and the treatment possibilities.

Biochemical changes in Leishmania braziliensis after photodynamic therapy with methylene blue assessed by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with photosensitizer methylene blue was applied to Leishmania braziliensis, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to study biochemical changes in the parasite after PDT in comparison to untreated (C), only irradiation (I), and only photosensitizer (PS). Spectral analysis suggests increase in lipids, proteins, and protein secondary structures in PDT compared with C and decrease in nucleic acids and carbohydrates. Interestingly, these trends are different from PDT of Leishmania major species, wherein lipids decrease; there are minimal changes in secondary structures and increase in nucleic acids and carbohydrates. The study thus suggests possibility of different biomolecular players/pathways in PDT-induced death of L. braziliensis and L. major.

Autopercepção de saúde bucal por idosos atendidos pelo sistema público de um município de Minas Gerais / Self-perception of oral health by the elderly assisted by the public system of a municipality in Minas Gerais

Objective:To analyze the self-perception of oral health by the elderly assisted by the public system of a municipality in Minas Gerais. Methods: descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, carried out with 100 elderly people during dental care in a public clinic and in a reference center. The data were treated using simple descriptive statistical analysis. Results: it was observed that the changes not noticeable by the elderly were: dry mouth sensation, decreased taste, decreased salivary flow and increased gingival problems. These consider it impossible to avoid tooth loss, however they reported that care for the remaining teeth and periodic consultation with the dentist are necessary. The reasons for seeking the professional were: toothache, gum pain, need for dental treatment and mouth injury. Conclusion: the elderly showed a satisfactory perception of their oral health. You are aware of oral changes resulting from aging, as well as care

Objetivo: analisar a autopercepção de idosos atendidos em uma clínica odontológica pública e em um centro de referência de um município de Minas Gerais sobre sua saúde bucal. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo descritivo, transversal, com abordagem quantitativa, realizada com 100 idosos durante atendimento odontológico em uma clínica pública e em um centro de referência. Utilizou-se um questionário semiestruturado, adaptado e validado. O tratamento dos dados se deu por meio de análise estatística descritiva simples. Resultados: observou-se prevalência de idosos do sexo feminino, casado, branco, renda de 1-2 salários, ensino médio completo e de outros municípios. As alterações não perceptíveis pelos idosos são: sensação de boca seca, diminuição do paladar, diminuição no fluxo salivar e aumento dos problemas gengivais. Os idosos consideram ser impossível evitar a perda dentária, todavia relataram que cuidados com os dentes remanescentes e consulta periódica ao cirurgião-dentista são necessários. Os motivos da procura ao dentista foram: dor de dente, dor na gengiva, necessidade de tratamento dentário e lesão na boca. Conclusão: a maior parte dos idosos apresenta uma percepção satisfatória quanto a sua condição atual de saúde bucal. Tem ciência das alterações bucais advindas do processo de envelhecimento, bem como das medidas de cuidados

Objetivo: Analizar la autopercepción de salud bucal por ancianos asistidos por el sistema público de una ciudad de Minas Gerais. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, transversal, con enfoque cuantitativo, realizado con 100 ancianos durante la atención odontológica en una clínica pública y en un centro de referencia. Los datos fueron tratados mediante análisis estadístico descriptivo simple. Resultados: se observó que los cambios que los ancianos no notaron fueron: sensación de boca seca, disminución del sabor, disminución del flujo salival y aumento de los problemas gingivales. Estos consideran imposible evitar la pérdida de dientes, pero informaron que es necesario cuidar los dientes restantes y consultar periódicamente con el dentista. Las razones para buscar al profesional fueron: dolor de muelas, dolor de encías, necesidad de tratamiento dental y lesiones en la boca. Conclusión: los ancianos mostraron una percepción satisfactoria de su salud bucal. Tiene consciencia de los cambios orales resultantes del envejecimiento, así como de la atención

What we know so far about postural balance training: An exploratory scoping review of nomenclature and related issues.

BACKGROUND: Different terms are used to refer to postural balance training, but the ontological debate involving the concepts to pursue nomenclature consensus is unusual. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to analyze how often the terms balance, neuromuscular, proprioceptive, functional and sensorimotor training/exercise are used in the literature, and to propose a conceptual critical appraisal to determine the most appropriate terminology to address postural balance exercises. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in the Scopus electronic database. Eligibility criteria: papers with the selected expressions on the title or keywords, published in English, were included. RESULTS: The most used term was balance training (471 of 1105 included papers). Europe, followed by Asia and North America, had the highest number of publications. In the 21st century, the number of publications increased considerably. However, the terms have conceptual differences and controversies regarding its use. CONCLUSION: Despite a large variety of exercise types and divergences, balance training seems to be the most suitable term, given it refers to postural equilibrium exercises.

Morbimortalidade de acidentes de trânsito envolvendo motocicletas: uma revisão de literatura / Morbimortality of traffic accidents involving motorcycles: a literature review

Introdução: a motocicleta é o veículo que configura maior vulnerabilidade ao condutor durante o seu percurso. Pode causar lesões, sequelas e a morte do indivíduo. Essa detém o maior índice de mortalidade em acidentes de trânsito quando comparada a outros veículos. Objetivo: realizar uma revisão da literatura científica sobre a morbimortalidade dos acidentes de trânsito envolvendo motocicletas. Método: trata-se de um estudo descritivo, exploratório, realizado nas bases de dados da Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde, sendo estas: LILACS, BDENF e SCIELO. Utilizou-se um formulário como instrumento de coleta de dados. Resultados: a amostra deste estudo foi composta por 17 artigos publicados durante o período de 2010 a 2015. Os principais resultados evidenciam que a taxa de mortalidade por acidente de motocicletas no Brasil aumentou 800%, variando de 0,5 para 4,5/100.000 habitantes entre 1996 e 2009, um aumento médio anual de 19%. Ocorreu um aumento significativo da mortalidade por acidente de motocicleta no Brasil entre 1996 e 2009. Esse período caracterizou-se por milhões de pessoas migrando da faixa da pobreza, ascendendo social e economicamente, adquirindo seu primeiro veículo, muitas vezes, uma motocicleta. Esse quadro revelou-se com maior expressão nas regiões Norte, Nordeste e Centro-Oeste. Considerações finais: consideram-se como vulneráveis, em nosso sistema viário, não somente os ocupantes de automóveis, mas também motocicletas, ciclistas e pedestres, levando em consideração o aumento constante de tais acidentes. Entre esses, os motociclistas ocupam papel de destaque, frente à morbidade e à mortalidade ocorridas nos acidentes de trânsito.(AU)

Introduction: the motorcycle is the vehicle that creates greater vulnerability to the driver during its course. It can cause injury, sequels and death to the individual determining the highest mortality rate in traffic accidents when compared to other vehicles. Objective: to carry out a review of the scientific literature on the morbidity and mortality of traffic accidents involving motorcycles. Method: it is a descriptive, exploratory study carried out in the databases of the Virtual Health Library, namely: LILACS, BDENF and SCIELO. A form was used as instrument of data collection. Results: the sample of this study was composed of 17 articles published during the period from 2010 to 2015. The main results show that motorcycle accident mortality rates in Brazil increased by 800%, ranging from 0.5 to 4.5/100,000 inhabitants between 1996 and 2009, an average annual increase of 19%. There was a significant increase in motorcycle accident mortality in Brazil between 1996 and 2009. This period was characterized by millions of people migrating from the poverty line, socially and economically from the poverty line, and acquiring their first vehicle, often a motorcycle. This scenario was more evident in the North, Northeast and Central West regions. Final considerations: we consider as vulnerable in our road system not only the occupants of automobiles, but also motorcycles, cyclists and pedestrians, taking into account the constant increase of such accidents. Among these, motorcyclists occupy a prominent role, in view of the morbidity and mortality rates as result of traffic accidents.(AU)

Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis caused by Toxoplasma gondii strain ToxoDB#65.

Ocular toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is the most common cause of inflammation in the back of the eye. Analysis of the infecting strain may provide information regarding disease behavior and recurrence. Here, we describe clinical and epidemiological data for toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis in two Brazilian women infected by T. gondii strain ToxoDB#65, living in an urban region of São Paulo State, Brazil.

Amniotic membrane as an option for treatment of acute Achilles tendon injury in rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of human amniotic membrane (hAM) fragment on inflammatory response, proliferation of fibroblast and organization of collagen fibers in injured tendon. METHODS: Sixty rats were divided into 3 groups: C - surgical procedures without tendon lesion and with simulation of hAM application; I - surgical procedures, tendon injury and simulation of hAM application; T - surgical procedures, tendon injury and hAM application. These groups were subdivided into four experimental times (3, 7, 14 and 28 days). The samples underwent histological analysis and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. RESULTS: Histological analysis at 14 days, the T group showed collagen fibers with better alignment. At 28 days, the I group presented the characteristics described for the T group at 14 days, while this group presented aspects of a mature connective tissue. FT-IR analysis showed a clear distinction among the three groups at all experimental times and groups T and I presented more similarities to each other than to group C. CONCLUSION: Acute injury of tendon treated with human amniotic membrane fragment showed a faster healing process, reduction in inflammatory response, intense proliferation of fibroblasts and organization of collagen fibers.

Amniotic membrane as an option for treatment of acute Achilles tendon injury in rats

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the effect of human amniotic membrane (hAM) fragment on inflammatory response, proliferation of fibroblast and organization of collagen fibers in injured tendon. Methods: Sixty rats were divided into 3 groups: C - surgical procedures without tendon lesion and with simulation of hAM application; I - surgical procedures, tendon injury and simulation of hAM application; T - surgical procedures, tendon injury and hAM application. These groups were subdivided into four experimental times (3, 7, 14 and 28 days). The samples underwent histological analysis and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Results: Histological analysis at 14 days, the T group showed collagen fibers with better alignment. At 28 days, the I group presented the characteristics described for the T group at 14 days, while this group presented aspects of a mature connective tissue. FT-IR analysis showed a clear distinction among the three groups at all experimental times and groups T and I presented more similarities to each other than to group C. Conclusion: Acute injury of tendon treated with human amniotic membrane fragment showed a faster healing process, reduction in inflammatory response, intense proliferation of fibroblasts and organization of collagen fibers.

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii: DNA extraction from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded autopsy tissues from AIDS patients who died by severe disseminated toxoplasmosis

This study investigated the genetic features of Toxoplasma gondii isolated directly in autopsies of HIV-infected patients who died with severe disseminated toxoplasmosis. This retrospective analysis was conducted in a cohort of 15 HIV-infected patients with clinical and laboratory data. They had previous cerebral toxoplasmosis at least 6 months before the disseminated toxoplasmosis episode. The hypothesis was that they were infected with highly virulent parasites due to the condition in which they died. T. gondii genotyping was done directly in DNA extracted from 30 autopsy brain and lung samples (2 per patient) and mutilocus PCR-RFLP genotyping was done using 12 molecular markers. The 30 clinical samples were genotyped successfully in 8 or more loci and six suggestive genotypes were identified. One of them was Toxo DB #11, previously identified in different domestic animals and virulent in experimental animals. The other five suggestive genotypes identified in 14 patients were not described. TgHuDis1 was the most frequent and was determined in 8 patients. TgHuDis3 and TgHuDis5 were identified in two patients each. TgHuDis2 and TgHuDis4 have been identified in one patient each. These suggestive genotypes could be considered as virulent, since they caused severe tissue damage and had similar characteristics as Toxo # DB 11

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii: DNA extraction from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded autopsy tissues from AIDS patients who died by severe disseminated toxoplasmosis.

This study investigated the genetic features of Toxoplasma gondii isolated directly in autopsies of HIV-infected patients who died with severe disseminated toxoplasmosis. This retrospective analysis was conducted in a cohort of 15 HIV-infected patients with clinical and laboratory data. They had previous cerebral toxoplasmosis at least 6 months before the disseminated toxoplasmosis episode. The hypothesis was that they were infected with highly virulent parasites due to the condition in which they died. T. gondii genotyping was done directly in DNA extracted from 30 autopsy brain and lung samples (2 per patient) and mutilocus PCR-RFLP genotyping was done using 12 molecular markers. The 30 clinical samples were genotyped successfully in 8 or more loci and six suggestive genotypes were identified. One of them was Toxo DB #11, previously identified in different domestic animals and virulent in experimental animals. The other five suggestive genotypes identified in 14 patients were not described. TgHuDis1 was the most frequent and was determined in 8 patients. TgHuDis3 and TgHuDis5 were identified in two patients each. TgHuDis2 and TgHuDis4 have been identified in one patient each. These suggestive genotypes could be considered as virulent, since they caused severe tissue damage and had similar characteristics as Toxo # DB 11.

Characterization of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis by FT-IR spectroscopy and nanotechnology.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, the etiological agent of paracoccidioidomycosis, is a dimorphic fungus existing as mycelia in the environment (or at 25°C in vitro) and as yeast cells in the human host (or at 37°C in vitro). Because mycological examination of lesions in patients frequently is unable to show the presence of the fungus and serological tests can misdiagnose the disease with other mycosis, the development of new approach's for molecular identification of P. brasiliensis spurges is needed. This study describes the use of a gold nanoprobe of a known gene sequence of P. brasiliensis as a molecular tool to identify P. brasiliensis by regular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) associated with a colorimetric methods. This approach is suitable for testing in remote areas because it does not require any further step than gene amplification, being safer and cheaper than electrophoresis methods. The proposed test showed a color change of the PCR reaction mixture from red to blue in negative samples, whereas the solution remains red in positive samples. We also performed a Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy analysis to characterize and compare the chemical composition between yeast and mycelia forms, which revealed biochemical differences between these two forms. The analysis of the spectra showed that differences were distributed in chemical bonds of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. The most prominent difference between both forms was vibration modes related to 1,3-ß-glucan usually found in mycelia and 1,3-α-glucan found in yeasts and also chitin forms. In this work, we introduce FT-IR as a new method suitable to reveal overall differences that biochemically distinguish each form of P. brasiliensis that could be additionally used to discriminate biochemical differences among a single form under distinct environmental conditions.

Genotyping of toxoplasma gondii: DNA extraction from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded autopsy tissues from AIDS patients who died by severe disseminated toxoplasmosis

This study investigated the genetic features of T. gondii isolated directly in autopsies of HIV-infected patients who died with severe disseminated toxoplasmosis. This retrospective analysis was conducted in a cohort of 15 HIV-infected patients with clinical and laboratory data. They had previous cerebral toxoplasmosis at least 6 months before the disseminated toxoplasmosis episode. The hypothesis was that they were infected with highly virulent parasites due to the condition in which they died. T. gondii genotyping was done directly in DNA extracted from 30 autopsy brain and lung samples (2 per patient) and mutilocus PCR-RFLP genotyping was done using 12 molecular markers. The 30 clinical samples were genotyped successfully in 8 or more loci and six suggestive genotypes were identified. One of them was Toxo DB #11, previously identified in different domestic animals and virulent in experimental animals. The other five suggestive genotypes...(AU)

Differentiation of Leishmania species by FT-IR spectroscopy.

UNLABELLED: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic infectious disease caused by protozoa that belong to the genus Leishmania. It is transmitted by the bite of an infected female Sand fly. The disease is endemic in 88 countries Desjeux (2001) [1] (16 developed countries and 72 developing countries) on four continents. In Brazil, epidemiological data show the disease is present in all Brazilian regions, with the highest incidences in the North and Northeast. There are several methods used to diagnose leishmaniasis, but these procedures have many limitations, are time consuming, have low sensitivity, and are expensive. In this context, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis has the potential to provide rapid results and may be adapted for a clinical test with high sensitivity and specificity. In this work, FT-IR was used as a tool to investigate the promastigotes of Leishmaniaamazonensis, Leishmaniachagasi, and Leishmaniamajor species. The spectra were analyzed by cluster analysis and deconvolution procedure base on spectra second derivatives. RESULTS: cluster analysis found four specific regions that are able to identify the Leishmania species. The dendrogram representation clearly indicates the heterogeneity among Leishmania species. The band deconvolution done by the curve fitting in these regions quantitatively differentiated the polysaccharides, amide III, phospholipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. L. chagasi and L. major showed a greater biochemistry similarity and have three bands that were not registered in L. amazonensis. The L. amazonensis presented three specific bands that were not recorded in the other two species. It is evident that the FT-IR method is an indispensable tool to discriminate these parasites. The high sensitivity and specificity of this technique opens up the possibilities for further studies about characterization of other microorganisms.