Clinical and Molecular Characterization of Human Burkholderia mallei Infection, Brazil.

We report a case of Burkholderia mallei causing glanders in a 73-year-old patient from the Northeast Region of Brazil. The patient was hospitalized with severe pneumonia. PCR and genomic sequencing confirmed B. mallei in pleural drainage. Genotyping revealed a novel genotype, emphasizing the need for genetic surveillance in zoonotic infections.

Fluoxetine alters rat's milk properties causing impact on offspring's development.

Fluoxetine is an antidepressant used to treat several conditions including postpartum depression. This disease causes cognitive, emotional, behavioral and physical changes, negatively affecting the mother, child and family life. However, fluoxetine is excreted in breast milk, causing short and long-term effects on children who were exposed to the drug during lactation, so studies that seek to uncover the consequences of these effects are needed. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of fluoxetine on the nutritional characteristics of milk and on growth and neurobehavioral development of the offspring on a rat model. Lactating rats were divided into 4 groups: control group and three experimental groups, which were treated with different doses of fluoxetine (1, 10 and 20 mg/kg) during the lactation. Dams body weight and milk properties were measured, as well as offspring's growth and physical and neurobehavioral development. Results showed that the use of fluoxetine during lactation decreased dam's body weight and alters milk's properties, leading to a decrease in offspring's growth until adulthood. Therefore, the use of fluoxetine during lactation needs to be cautiously evaluated, with the benefits to the mothers and the associated risk to the offspring carefully balance.

Distinct effects of intravenous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy on ischemic and non-ischemic lungs after ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: The preclinical efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy after intravenous infusion has been promising, but clinical studies have yielded only modest results. Although most preclinical studies have focused solely on the ischemic lung, it is crucial to evaluate both lungs after ischemia-reperfusion injury, considering the various mechanisms involved. This study aimed to bridge this gap by assessing the acute effects of bone marrow MSC(BM) infusion before ischemic insult and evaluating both ischemic and non-ischemic lungs after reperfusion. METHODS: Eighteen male Wistar rats (403 ± 23 g) were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated using a protective strategy. After baseline data collection, the animals were randomized to 3 groups (n = 6/group): (1) SHAM; (2) ischemia-reperfusion (IR), and (3) intravenous MSC(BM) infusion followed by IR. Ischemia was induced by complete clamping of the left hilum, followed by 1 h of reperfusion after clamp removal. At the end of the experiment, the right and left lungs (non-ischemic and ischemic, respectively) were collected for immunohistochemistry and molecular biology analysis. RESULTS: MSC(BM)s reduced endothelial cell damage and apoptosis markers and improved markers associated with endothelial cell integrity in both lungs. In addition, gene expression of catalase and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 increased after MSC(BM) therapy. In the ischemic lung, MSC(BM) therapy mitigated endothelial cell damage and apoptosis and increased gene expression associated with endothelial cell integrity. Conversely, in the non-ischemic lung, apoptosis gene expression increased in the IR group but not after MSC(BM) therapy. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates distinct effects of MSC(BM) therapy on ischemic and non-ischemic lungs after ischemia-reperfusion injury. The findings underscore the importance of evaluating both lung types in ischemia-reperfusion studies, offering insights into the therapeutic potential of MSC(BM) therapy in the context of lung injury.

Comparison of infrared thermography of the face between mouth-breathing and nasal-breathing children.

PURPOSE: To compare the temperature of thermoanatomic points and areas of the upper and lower lips between mouth-breathing and nasal-breathing children. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study had a sample of 30 nasal-breathing and 30 mouth-breathing children aged 4 to 11 years. One front-view, one left-view, and one right-view infrared thermogram of the face were acquired from each participant. A total of 14 thermoanatomic points plus the upper lip and lower lip areas were marked on the front-view thermograms, while on the side-view thermograms, six thermoanatomic points were marked. The research also calculated the difference between the temperature of the upper and lower lip areas (∆T area) and between the temperature of the points on the upper and lower lips (∆T points). The normalized mean temperatures of points and areas and temperature differences were compared between groups with the t-test and Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: The temperature of the thermoanatomic points closest to the lip (nasolabial, Labial Commissure, and lower labial), areas of the lips, and external acoustic meatus was lower in mouth breathers than in nasal breathers, which did not happen for most other points. ∆T area and ∆T points were not different between the groups. CONCLUSION: Thermography is a promising complementary diagnostic tool, since showed mouth-breathing children had lower temperatures in the region of the lips than nasal breathers.

Chemical Composition of Extracts and Fractions from Miconia Ibaguensis (Melastomataceae) Leaves and Evaluation of Biological Activities.

The study aimed to assess the chemical composition of Miconia ibaguensis leaves extracts and fractions obtained from the ethanolic extract (EE), along with evaluating their antifungal, antibacterial, antidiabetic, and antioxidant activities. The ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) exhibited potent antifungal activity against Candida spp (1.95-3.90 µg mL-1) and potent antioxidant activity in the DPPH (1.74±0.07 µg mL-1), FRAP (654.01±42.09 µmol ETrolox/gsample), and ORAC (3698.88±37.28 µmol ETrolox/gsample) methods. The EE displayed inhibition against the α-amylase enzyme (8.42±0.05 µg mL-1). Flavonoids, hydrolysable tannins, triterpenoids, and phenolic acids, identified in the EE and fractions via (-)-HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis, were found to contribute to the species' biological activity potentially. These findings suggest promising avenues for further research and potential applications in pharmacology and natural products, offering new possibilities in the fight against global health issues.

Brain fatty acid and transcriptome profiles of pig fed diets with different levels of soybean oil.

BACKGROUND: The high similarity in anatomical and neurophysiological processes between pigs and humans make pigs an excellent model for metabolic diseases and neurological disorders. Lipids are essential for brain structure and function, and the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have anti-inflammatory and positive effects against cognitive dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases. Nutrigenomics studies involving pigs and fatty acids (FA) may help us in better understanding important biological processes. In this study, the main goal was to evaluate the effect of different levels of dietary soybean oil on the lipid profile and transcriptome in pigs' brain tissue. RESULTS: Thirty-six male Large White pigs were used in a 98-day study using two experimental diets corn-soybean meal diet containing 1.5% soybean oil (SOY1.5) and corn-soybean meal diet containing 3.0% soybean oil (SOY3.0). No differences were found for the brain total lipid content and FA profile between the different levels of soybean oil. For differential expression analysis, using the DESeq2 statistical package, a total of 34 differentially expressed genes (DEG, FDR-corrected p-value < 0.05) were identified. Of these 34 DEG, 25 are known-genes, of which 11 were up-regulated (log2 fold change ranging from + 0.25 to + 2.93) and 14 were down-regulated (log2 fold change ranging from - 3.43 to -0.36) for the SOY1.5 group compared to SOY3.0. For the functional enrichment analysis performed using MetaCore with the 34 DEG, four pathway maps were identified (p-value < 0.05), related to the ALOX15B (log2 fold change - 1.489), CALB1 (log2 fold change - 3.431) and CAST (log2 fold change + 0.421) genes. A "calcium transport" network (p-value = 2.303e-2), related to the CAST and CALB1 genes, was also identified. CONCLUSION: The results found in this study contribute to understanding the pathways and networks associated with processes involved in intracellular calcium, lipid metabolism, and oxidative processes in the brain tissue. Moreover, these results may help a better comprehension of the modulating effects of soybean oil and its FA composition on processes and diseases affecting the brain tissue.

Diet supplementation with egg yolk powder fattens the beetle Tribolium castaneum.

Insects have become essential models in studying human metabolic diseases, mainly due to their low maintenance cost and available tools. Both mutations and modified diets induce metabolic states similar to human obesity and diabetes. Here, we explore the effect of a high-calorie, high-fat diet on the metabolism of the beetle Tribolium castaneum. Supplementation of the wheat flour diet with powdered egg yolk for 3 weeks increased the total triacylglycerol and accelerated larval development. In addition, this diet increased the triacylglycerol levels of adult beetles. However, this egg yolk supplementation did not alter the larvae's total glucose levels or lipogenic capacity and ATP citrate lyase activity. The diet also did not change the expression profile of several lipid and carbohydrate metabolism genes and insulin-like peptides. Thus, we conclude that the diet supplemented with egg yolk induces increased fat without causing diabetes phenotypes, as seen in other hypercaloric diets in insects.

Tobacco effects on ocular surface, meibomian glands, and corneal epithelium and the benefits of treatment with a lipid-based lubricant.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to evaluate the ocular surface in chronic smokers and to assess the benefit of sodium hyaluronate (SH) versus semi-fluorinated alkane (SFA) eyedrops on tear film, meibomian glands, and corneal epithelial thickness (CET). METHODS: This prospective randomized single-blinded study included smokers, who applied one eyedrop of Hyabak® on one eye (SH group) and one eyedrop of EvoTears® on the fellow eye (SFA group) 4 times daily for 2 months, and age-matched non-smokers. Ocular surface parameters, including tear film break-up time (TBUT) test and corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score, lipid layer thickness (LLT), meibography (LipiView®), and CET measurements (Zeiss Cirrus HD-5000®), were assessed at baseline and after treatment. RESULTS: Seventy-eight eyes were included in the smokers group (39 in the SH subgroup and 39 in the SFA subgroup) and 42 eyes in the control group. At baseline, the smokers group had a higher prevalence of dry eye (100% vs 0%, p < 0.001) and of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and lower CET measurements than controls (p < 0.05). TBUT, CFS, and LLT (controls vs SFA group: 64.02 ± 1.87 nm vs 49.56 ± 4.33 nm, p = 0.05) improved in the SFA subgroup after treatment, but not in the SH subgroup, and became equivalent to those of controls. Prevalence of dry eye decreased in the smokers group after treatment (controls vs SH group vs SFA group: 0% vs 12.82% vs 16.26%, p > 0.05). Meibomian gland morphological parameters and CET did not improve after treatment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking is associated with dry eye, MGD, and corneal epithelial thinning that seem to be only partially reversible with topical lubricants, preferably SFA.

Group- and sex-related differences in psychological and pain processing factors in people with and without patellofemoral pain: correlation with clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: People with patellofemoral pain (PFP) exhibit impaired psychological and pain processing factors (i.e., kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing and pressure pain thresholds [PPTs]). However, it remains unclear whether these factors have different presentations in women and men with PFP, as well as whether their correlation with clinical outcomes differ according to sex. The aims of this study were to: (1) compare psychological and pain processing factors between women and men with and without patellofemoral pain (PFP); (2) investigate their correlation with clinical outcomes in people with PFP. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 65 women and 38 men with PFP, 30 women and 30 men without PFP. The psychological and pain processing factors were assessed with the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and PPTs of shoulder and patella measured with an algometer. Clinical outcomes assessed were self-reported pain (Visual Analogue Scale), function (Anterior Knee Pain Scale), physical activity level (Baecke's Questionnaire), and physical performance (Single Leg Hop Test). Generalized linear models (GzLM) and effect sizes [Cohen's d] were calculated for group comparisons and Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated to investigate correlations between outcomes. RESULTS: Women and men with PFP had higher kinesiophobia (d = .82, p = .001; d = .80, p = .003), pain catastrophizing (d = .84, p < .001; d = 1.27, p < .001), and lower patella PPTs (d = -.85, p = .001; d = -.60, p = .033) than women and men without PFP, respectively. Women with PFP had lower shoulder and patella PPTs than men with PFP (d = -1.24, p < .001; d = -.95, p < .001), but there were no sex differences in those with PFP for psychological factors (p > .05). For women with PFP, kinesiophobia and pain catastrophizing had moderate positive correlations with self-reported pain (rho = .44 and .53, p < .001) and moderate negative correlations with function (rho = -.55 and -.58, p < .001), respectively. For men with PFP, only pain catastrophizing had moderate positive correlations with self-reported pain (rho = .42, p = .009) and moderate negative correlations with function (rho = -.43, p = .007). CONCLUSIONS: Psychological and pain processing factors differ between people with and without PFP and between sexes, respectively. Also, correlations between psychological and pain processing factors with clinical outcomes differ among women and men with PFP. These findings should be considered when assessing and managing people with PFP.

Effects of an online program including mindfulness, exercise therapy and patient education compared to online exercise therapy and patient education for people with Patellofemoral Pain: protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common knee disorder that causes persistent pain, lower self-reported function and quality of life. People with PFP also present with altered psychological factors, which are associated with higher levels of pain and dysfunction. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) generally consist of meditative practices developed to provide a holistic approach to chronic conditions. However, the effects of MBI on clinical and psychological outcomes for people with PFP remains understudied. METHODS: This assessor-blinded, parallel, two-arm randomized clinical trial aims to investigate the effects of adding an 8-week online MBI program to exercise therapy and patient education on clinical and psychological factors for people with PFP. We also aim to investigate whether psychological factors mediate changes in pain and function. Sixty-two participants with PFP will be recruited and randomized into one of two treatment groups (Mindfulness or Control group). Both groups will receive an 8-week intervention involving exercise therapy and education delivered through an online platform. The Mindfulness group will additionally receive a MBI component including formal and informal practices. Outcomes will be assessed online at baseline, intervention endpoint (follow-up 1) and 12 months after intervention completion (follow-up 2). Comparisons between groups will be performed at all time points with linear mixed models. A mediation analysis will be performed using a 3-variable framework. DISCUSSION: Exercise therapy and patient education are considered the "best management" options for PFP. However, unsatisfactory long-term prognosis remains an issue. It is known that people with PFP present with altered psychological factors, which should be considered during the evaluation and treatment of people with PFP. Adding a MBI to the current best treatment for PFP may improve short and long-term effects by addressing the underlying psychological factors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC) RBR-4yhbqwk, registered in April 6, 2021.

Human Exposure to Non-Ionizing Radiation from Indoor Distributed Antenna System: Shopping Mall Measurement Analysis.

It is crucial to monitor the levels of Non-Ionizing Radiation (NIR) to which the general population may be exposed and compare them to the limits defined in the current standards, in view of the rapid rise of communication services and the prospects of a connected society. A high number of people visits shopping malls and since these locations usually have several indoor antennas close to the public, it is therefore a kind of place that must be evaluated. Thus, this work presents measurements of the electric field in a shopping mall located in Natal, Brazil. We proposed a set of six measurement points, following two criteria: places with great the flow of people and the presence of one or more Distributed Antenna System (DAS), co-sited or not with WiFi access points. Results are presented and discussed in terms of the distance to DAS (conditions: near and far) and flow density of people in the mall (scenarios: low and high number of people). The highest peaks of electric field measured were 1.96 and 3.26 V/m, respectively corresponding to 5% and 8% of the limits defined by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the Brazilian National Telecommunication Agency (ANATEL).

Quality of life in the voice of children who depend on health technologies: Mixed methods study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the quality of life of children who depend on health technologies as expressed in their own words. METHODS: A parallel and convergent mixed methods design was employed with 30 aged five to 12 year old children who depend on health technologies. Data collection was done through a characterization form, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 questionnaire with the total sample in quantitative phase; semi-structured interviews with a subset of nine participants in qualitative phase. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and deductive thematic content analyses, respectively. RESULTS: Findings from PedsQL 4.0 showed that quality of life for children who depend on health technologies is average. However, data integration through mixed methods showed that this average goes beyond quantitative data through hearing the children's own voices. The results from data integration pointed out that children recognize their limitations and adapt to them; what most affects their quality of life is the emotional domain; children reported suffering prejudice due to their physical limitations; and that the school positively impacts their quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Data integration highlighted that children acknowledge their limitations and pain generated by these devices. Concerns about the future and the ability to do things that other children the same age can do was the most impactful aspect on their quality of life. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nursing care plans should consider that what affects most children who depend on health technologies' quality of life is anxiety for the future of being incapacitated or dependent.

Seroprevalence of human leptospirosis in a rural community from Tandil, Argentina. Assessment of risk factors and spatial analysis.

Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonosis that is widely distributed in the world. Although it is endemic in Argentina, prevalence remains unknown. The aims of the study were: (i) to determine the prevalence of leptospirosis in humans from a rural community in Tandil Argentina, (ii) to identify infecting Leptospira spp. serogroups, (iii) to identify factors associated with the infection, (iv) to estimate the population attributable fraction (PAF) of the risk factors and (v) to determine the spatial patterns of disease presentation and related risk factors. Blood samples from 202 participants were collected. A survey was conducted to obtain clinical and epidemiological data. Serological testing was performed by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Univariate and multivariate methods were applied to evaluate associations. Spatial clusters were investigated for seroprevalence and risk factors. Antibodies were found in 32.2% of participants (95% CI: 25.8-39.1). The most prevalent serogroup was Hebdomadis followed by Sejroe; Icterohaemorrhagiae; Tarassovi and Canicola. Living at lower altitudes (OR: 13.04; 95% CI: 2.60-65.32); not having access to water supply network (OR: 2.95; 95% CI: 1.30-6.69); living close to flooded streets (OR: 2.94; 95% CI: 1.14-7.69) and practicing water sports (OR: 3.12; 95% CI: 1.12-8.33) were associated with seropositivity. Factors related with housing characteristics, services and infrastructure had the higher PAF (from 17% to 81%). A spatial cluster with higher rates of positivity and of the main risk factors was determined. This work contributes useful data for specific preventive measures that should be implemented for the control of the disease.

Ultrasonography as an instrument to evaluate lymphedema secondary to breast cancer: systematic review.

Lymphedema is a chronic and progressive disease characterized by fluid accumulation, causing tissue edema as a result of a compromised lymphatic system. Diagnostic ultrasound (DUS) is a method capable of assessing soft tissue characteristics that can be used reliably to diagnose lymphedema as well as for measuring tissue compliance in a clinical setting. This is a systematic review, aiming to evaluate articles that made use of DUS in management of lymphedema secondary to breast cancer. A total of 570 articles were selected, exported to the Rayyan QCRI review program, and then screened by two researchers. From this search, 25 articles were selected after the authors reached consensus and were catalogued as to their main results. Diagnostic ultrasound was identified as an advantageous method that is safe, minimally invasive, low cost, and radiation free and is useful for evaluating the efficacy of therapies used in lymphedema treatment.

Mild controlled hypothermia for necrotizing enterocolitis treatment to preterm neonates: low technology technique description and safety analysis.

We performed a quality improvement project to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and published our results about the initiative in 2021. However, aspects on the safety of the cooling and how to do therapeutic hypothermia with low technology to preterm infants are not described in this previous reporter. Thus, we aim to describe the steps and management to apply hypothermia in preterm infants using low technology and present the safety aspects regarding the initiative. We performed a quality improvement project to NEC in a reference hospital for neonatology (intensive care unit). Forty-three preterm infants with NEC (modified Bell's stage II/III) were included: 19 in the control group (2015-2018) and 24 in the hypothermic group (2018-2020). The control group received standard treatments. The hypothermia group received standard treatment and underwent passive cooling (35.5 °C, used for 48 h after NEC diagnosis). We reported cooling safety to NEC, assessing hematological and gasometrical parameters, coagulation disorders, clinical instability, and neurological disorders. We described how to perform cooling to preterm infants using incubators' servo-control and the occurrence and management of dysthermia during the cooling. We turn-off the incubator and used the esophageal probe to monitor the temperature every 15 min; if the temperature dropped, the incubator was turned on with a rewarming speed of 0.5 °C/h. The participants' average weights and gestational ages were 1186 g and 32 weeks, respectively. There were no differences among hematological indices, serum parameters (sodium, potassium, creatinine, lactate, and bicarbonate), pH, pCO2, and pO2/FiO2 between the groups during treatment and after rewarming. We did not observe dysthermia, bradycardia, hemodynamic instability, apnea, seizure, bleeding, peri-intraventricular hemorrhage, or any alterations in ventilatory parameters due to the cooling technique in preterm babies. This simple technique was performed without intercurrences through a rigorous team evaluation, with a target cooling speed of 0.5 °C/h. The target temperature was successfully reached between the second and third hours of life with the incubator control in 21 children; ice bags were used in only three cases. The temperature was maintained at the expected level during the programmed cooling period. CONCLUSION: Mild controlled hypothermia for preterm infants with NEC is safe. The cooling of preterm infants could be performed through passive methods, using the servo-control of the incubators for temperature management. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Mild controlled hypothermia to NEC treatment is feasible and associated with a decrease in NEC surgery, short bowel, and death. • Mild controlled hypothermia to preterm is feasible and can be performed through low technology and passive cooling. WHAT IS NEW: • Mild controlled hypothermia to preterm is safe and does not associate with safety adverse effects during and after the cooling. • Preterm infants can be cooled through passive methods by just using the servo control of the incubator, presenting acceptable temperature variance, without dysthermia, achieving and remaining at the target temperature with a proper cooling speed. Mild controlled temperature for preterm infants does not need an additional cooling device.

Effect of a Toothpaste Containing Surface Pre-Reacted Glass-Ionomer Filler on the Remineralization of Artificial Carious Enamel Lesions in situ.

This study evaluated the remineralizing effect of a toothpaste containing surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filler on demineralized enamel in situ. For this, 180 bovine enamel samples were demineralized by using a microcosm biofilm model for 3 days. Thereafter, the samples were randomly signed to 15 healthy volunteers and to 3 cross-over in situ phases corresponding to the following treatments: (1) toothpaste containing 1,500 ppm F as NaMFP (positive control, Colgate®Cavity Protection), (2) toothpaste containing 5% S-PRG filler (Shofu®), and (3) placebo toothpaste (negative control prepared by Shofu®). Four demineralized enamel blocks were fixed into each palatal appliance per phase. The volunteers wore the appliances for 5 days and were trained to brush their teeth 2 times for 2 min a day, while one drop of the toothpaste's slurry (1:3) was dripped on each sample for the same period. The surface hardness and TMR analyses were done and analyzed by ANOVA/Tukey and t test (p < 0.05). S-PRG filler and Colgate® toothpastes were equally able to improve 2-2.5× enamel remineralization by the analysis of % surface hardness recovery. However, S-PRG toothpaste was the only one able to significantly improve ΔΔZ (the integrated mineral loss recovery: 1,489 ± 503 %vol.µm) compared to placebo (1,050 ± 467 %vol.µm), while Colgate® did not differ from placebo. No differences were seen between the groups with respect to ΔLD. S-PRG filler and Colgate® toothpastes show similar potential to remineralize the lesion surface. However, S-PRG toothpaste is better to recover mineral loss at the subsurface area.

Genetic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of Brazilian clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa harboring CRISPR/Cas systems.

The CRISPR-Cas are adaptive immune systems found in archaea and bacteria, responsible for providing sequence-specific resistance against foreign DNA. Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa may carry CRISPR/Cas system types I-F, I-E and/or I-C; however, several aspects related to the epidemiology and functionality of these systems have not yet been revealed. Here, we report 13 genomes of clinical strains of P. aeruginosa from Brazil that were positive for CRISPR/Cas system types I-F and I-E, a rare feature in this species. The phylogenetic tree, which was constructed with 161 other publicly available genomes, suggested no direct relationship between positive strains, and the various types of CRISPR/Cas systems were spread throughout the tree. Comparative analysis of the genetic locations of type I-F and a specific orphan CRISPR array (without cas genes), named the LES locus, showed sequence similarities between this orphan locus and type I-F, but these LES loci were inserted in a different genomic location. We also report the presence of prophages, the presence of anti-CRISPR genes, and possibly the presence of self-targeting spacers. Here, we conclude that CRISPR/Cas is highly associated with certain lineages and is spread throughout the phylogenetic tree, showing no clear pattern of evolutionary distribution. Moreover, the LES locus might be a CRISPR1 locus related to type I-F that may have been misplaced and maintained over time. Furthermore, strains carrying I-F and I-E are rare, and not all of them are closely related. Further functional work is needed to better comprehend if aspects reported in this study are functional, including the LES locus, self-targeting spacers, anti-CRISPR protection, and I-F/I-E-carrying lineages.

TOP1 modulation during melanoma progression and in adaptative resistance to BRAF and MEK inhibitors.

In melanomas, therapy resistance can arise due to a combination of genetic, epigenetic and phenotypic mechanisms. Due to its crucial role in DNA supercoil relaxation, TOP1 is often considered an essential chemotherapeutic target in cancer. However, how TOP1 expression and activity might differ in therapy sensitive versus resistant cell types is unknown. Here we show that TOP1 expression is increased in metastatic melanoma and correlates with an invasive gene expression signature. More specifically, TOP1 expression is highest in cells with the lowest expression of MITF, a key regulator of melanoma biology. Notably, TOP1 and DNA Single-Strand Break Repair genes are downregulated in BRAFi- and BRAFi/MEKi-resistant cells and TOP1 inhibition decreases invasion markers only in BRAFi/MEKi-resistant cells. Thus, we show three different phenotypes related to TOP1 levels: i) non-malignant cells with low TOP1 levels; ii) metastatic cells with high TOP1 levels and high invasiveness; and iii) BRAFi- and BRAFi/MEKi-resistant cells with low TOP1 levels and high invasiveness. Together, these results highlight the potential role of TOP1 in melanoma progression and resistance.

Evaluation of Elaiophylin extracted from Streptomyces hygroscopicus as a potential inhibitor of the NorA efflux protein in Staphylococcus aureus: An in vitro and in silico approach.

Compounds capable of inhibiting the efflux pump mechanism are a promising alternative against bacterial resistance because, when combined with antibiotics, they can increase the effectiveness of these drugs by inhibiting active efflux. Elaiophylin, derived from Streptomyces hygroscopicus, is a natural antibiotic that exhibits a variety of biological activities, including antibacterial activity. However, its potential as an inhibitor of the bacterial efflux mechanism has not been investigated. This study evaluated the ability of Elaiophylin to inhibit the NorA efflux pump in Staphylococcus aureus strains. Therefore, tests were performed to obtain the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and to verify the ability of Elaiophylin to potentiate the MIC of the antibiotic Norfloxacin and Ethidium Bromide (EtBr), known substrates of NorA efflux. Real-time PCR and molecular docking assays were also performed to assess the potential of Elaiophylin against NorA. The strains SA-1199 (wild type) and SA-1199B (NorA over-expressed) of S. aureus were used for this study. The results showed that Elaiophylin significantly decreased the MIC of Norfloxacin and EtBr, increasing the activity of these substrates against S. aureus, which carries the efflux protein NorA. However, Elaiophylin provided a non-significant reduction in norA gene expression, however, molecular docking demonstrated a high binding affinity between Elaiophylin and NorA efflux protein, indicating that Elaiophylin can act as a potential NorA in S. aureus.

Eating habits of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: The impact of social isolation.

BACKGROUND: The social isolation enforced as a result of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may impact families' lifestyle and eating habits. The present study aimed to assess the behaviour and dietary patterns of Brazilian children and adolescents during the social isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The present study was conducted using an online, anonymous cross-sectional survey with 589 children and 720 adolescents from Brazil during a nationwide social isolation policy. The Mann-Whitney U-test or the Kruskal-Wallis with the Dunn post-hoc method and a radar chart were used to compare the weekly consumption of each food by age group and isolation status. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Analyses were conducted using R statistical software, version 4.0.2 (R Foundation for Statisitical Computing). RESULTS: We found that isolated families showed breakfast eating habits and the consumption of raw salad, vegetables, beans and soft drinks. Lower-class isolated families and those from the Northeast region consumed fruits, juices, vegetables and beans less frequently. Compared to children, adolescents were less isolated (p = 0.016), less active (p < 0.001), exposed to longer screen time (p < 0.001), showed an inadequate sleeping pattern (p = 0.002) and were from lower-class families (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Social isolation affected the eating habits of children and adolescents. Non-isolated families presented a lower consumption of healthy food, especially those among the lower class, from Northeast Brazil, as well as adolescents.