Semisynthetic Sesquiterpene Lactones Generated by the Sensibility of Glaucolide B to Lewis and Brønsted-Lowry Acids and Bases: Cytotoxicity and Anti-Inflammatory Activities.

Sesquiterpene lactone (SL) subtypes including hirsutinolide and cadinanolide have a controversial genesis. Metabolites of these classes are either described as natural products or as artifacts produced via the influence of solvents, chromatographic mobile phases, and adsorbents used in phytochemical studies. Based on this divergence, and to better understand the sensibility of these metabolites, different pH conditions were used to prepare semisynthetic SLs and evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities. Therefore, glaucolide B (1) was treated with various Brønsted-Lowry and Lewis acids and bases-the same approach was applied to some of its derivatives-allowing us to obtain 14 semisynthetic SL derivatives, 10 of which are hereby reported for the first time. Hirsutinolide derivatives 7a (CC50 = 5.0 µM; SI = 2.5) and 7b (CC50 = 11.2 µM; SI = 2.5) and the germacranolide derivative 8a (CC50 = 3.1 µM; SI = 3.0) revealed significant cytotoxic activity and selectivity against human melanoma SK-MEL-28 cells when compared with that against non-tumoral HUVEC cells. Additionally, compounds 7a and 7c.1 showed strongly reduced interleukin-6 (IL-6) and nitrite (NOx) release in pre-treated M1 macrophages J774A.1 when stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Despite the fact that hirsutinolide and cadinanolide SLs may be produced via plant metabolism, this study shows that acidic and alkaline extraction and solid-phase purification processes can promote their formation.

UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS2 characterisation of Cola nitida resin fractions with inhibitory effects on NO and TNF-α released by LPS-activated J774 macrophage and on Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania amazonensis.

INTRODUCTION: The resin of Cola nitida is used in western Cameroon as incense for spiritual protection and during ritual ceremonies. This plant secretion has never been investigated although previous chemical and biological studies on other resins have drawn many attentions. OBJECTIVE: The resin fractions which revealed inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) released by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated J774 macrophage as well as on intracellular forms of Leishmania amazonensis and Trypanosoma cruzi amastigote were chemically characterised. Moreover, their antiparasitic activities were compared to those of semi-synthetic triterpenes. METHODOLOGY: The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by measuring the nitrite production and the TNF-α concentration in the supernatants of LPS-activated macrophages by antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Moreover, the antiparasitic assay was performed by infecting the host cells (THP-1) in a ratio parasite/cell 10:1 (L. amazonensis) and 2:1 (T. cruzi) and then exposed to the samples. The resin was separated in vacuo by liquid chromatography because of its sticky behaviour and the chemical profiles of the obtained fractions (F1-F4) were established by dereplication based on UPLC-ESI-MS2 data while semi-synthetic triterpenes were prepared from α-amyrin by oxidation reactions. RESULTS: Fractions F1-F4 inhibited NO and TNF-α almost similarly. However, only F1, F3 and F4 showed promising antiparasitic activities while F2 was moderately active against both parasites. Hence, F1-F4 were exclusively composed of pentacyclic triterpenes bearing oleanane and ursane skeletons. Semi-synthetic compounds revealed no to moderate antiparasitic activity compared to the fractions. CONCLUSION: Although it will be difficult to prove the interaction resin-spirit, interesting bioactivities were found in the resin fractions.

Human body burden of bisphenol A: a case study of lactating mothers in Florianopolis, Brazil.

Exclusive breast milk is the diet recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) until 6 months of age. However, breastfeeding has the potential of transferring certain toxic chemicals from the mother to the infant. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic chemical used as a monomer in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Information on BPA concentration in the breast milk of lactating mothers is very limited; thus, this study aimed to determine the concentration of BPA in the colostrum of 64 post-partum women at a university-affiliated tertiary hospital in South Brazil. The results showed that all the breast milk samples contained a high concentration of BPA with a median value of 34.18 ng/mL. Furthermore, the concentration of BPA in mothers was influenced by the consumption of foods packaged in plastic packaging, especially when the plastic is heated (p = 0.0182). The total daily intake of BPA in breastfed infants was 19.5 µg/kg/day and 28.5 µg/kg/day was recorded at the 95th percentile of body weight per day, which is higher than the maximum daily intake estimated by the European Authority of Food Safety. These data showed a high concentration of BPA in the breastmilk of the lactating mothers which might be through the use of plastic containers as food/drink packages. This is of public health importance as the high concentration of BPA in their breast milk can be an indicator of potentially serious health problems in these mothers and much more in the babies breastfed with BPA-contaminated breast milk.

Modulation of expression and activity of cytochrome P450s and alteration of praziquantel kinetics during murine schistosomiasis.

In this study, we investigated the expression and activity of liver cytochrome P450s (CYPs) and praziquantel (PZQ) kinetics in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Swiss Webster (SW) mice of both genders were infected (100 cercariae) on postnatal day 10 and killed on post-infection days (PIDs) 30 or 55. Non-infected mice of the same age and sex served as controls. Regardless of mouse sex, infection depressed the activities of CYP1A [ethoxy/methoxy-resorufin-O-dealkylases (EROD/MROD)], 2B9/10 [pentoxy/benzyloxy-resorufin-O-dealkylases (PROD, BROD)], 2E1 [p-nitrophenol-hydroxylase (PNPH)] and 3A11 [erythromycin N-demethylase (END)] on PID 55 but not on PID 30. On PID 55, infection decreased liver CYP mRNA levels (real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction). On PID 30, whereas mRNA levels remained unaltered in males, they were depressed in females. Plasma PZQ (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally) levels were measured (high-performance liquid chromatography) at different post-treatment intervals. In males and females, infection delayed the PZQ clearance on PID 55, but not on PID 30. Therefore, it can be concluded that schistosomiasis down-modulated CYP expression and activity and delayed PZQ clearance on PID 55, when a great number of parasite eggs were lodged in the liver. On PID 30, when egg-laying was initiated by the worms, no change of CYP expression and activity was found, except for a depression of CYP1A2 and 3A11 mRNAs in female mice.

Up- and down-modulation of liver cytochrome P450 activities and associated events in two murine malaria models.

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms by which malaria up and down-regulates CYP activities are not understood yet. It is also unclear whether CYP activities are modulated during non-lethal malaria infections. This study was undertaken to evaluate the time course of CYP alterations in lethal (Plasmodium berghei ANKA) and non-lethal (Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi) murine malaria. Additionally, hypotheses on the association of CYP depression with enhanced nitric oxide (NO) production, and of CYP2a5 induction with endoplasmic reticulum dysfunction, enhanced haem metabolism and oxidative stress were examined as well. METHODS: Female DBA-2 and C57BL/6 mice were infected with P.berghei ANKA or P. chabaudi and killed at different post-infection days. Infection was monitored by parasitaemia rates and clinical signs. NO levels were measured in the serum. Activities of CYP1a (ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase), 2b (benzyloxyresorufin-O-debenzylase), 2a5 (coumarin-7-hydroxylase) and uridine-diphosphoglucuronyl-transferase (UGT) were determined in liver microsomes. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity and concentrations of gluthatione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were determined in the liver. Levels of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) were evaluated by immunoblotting, while mRNAs of haemoxygenase-1 (HO-1) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were determined by quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: Plasmodium berghei depressed CYP1a and 2b and induced 2a5 in DBA-2 mice. In P.berghei-infected C57BL/6 mice CYP activities remained unaltered. In both strains, GST and UGT were not affected by P.berghei. Plasmodium c. chabaudi depressed CYP1a and 2b and induced 2a5 activities on the day of peak parasitaemia or near this day. CYP2a5 induction was associated with over-expression of HO-1 and enhanced oxidative stress, but it was not associated with GRP78 induction, a marker of endoplasmic reticulum stress. Plasmodium chabaudi increased serum NO on days near the parasitaemia peak in both strains. Although not elevating serum NO, P.berghei enhanced iNOS mRNA expression in the liver. CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of CYP1a and 2b and induction of 2a5 occurred in lethal and non-lethal infections when parasitaemia rates were high. A contribution of NO for depression of CYP2b cannot be ruled out. Results were consistent with the view that CYP2a5 and HO-1 are concurrently up-regulated and suggested that CYP2a5 induction may occur in the absence of enhanced endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Performance of rapid tests for carbapenemase detection among Brazilian Enterobacteriaceae isolates.

The global emergence of carbapenemases led to the need of developing new methods for their rapid detection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the rapid tests for carbapenemase-producing and non-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Carbapenem non-susceptible Enterobacteriaceae from a surveillance study submitted to a multiplex real time PCR for carbapenemase detection were included in this study. The isolates were subjected to the rapid phenotypic tests Carba NP, Blue-Carba and Carbapenem Inactivation Method (CIM). A total of 83 carbapenemase-producing (43) and non-producing (40) isolates were included in the study. The sensitivity/specificity were 62.7%/97.5%, 95.3%/100%, and 74.4%/97.5% for Carba NP, Blue-Carba and CIM, respectively. Both Carba NP and Blue-Carba presented their final results after 75min of incubation; the final results for CIM were obtained only after 8h. Failure to detect OXA-370 carbapenemase was the main problem for Carba NP and CIM assays. As the Blue-Carba presented the highest sensitivity, it can be considered the best screening test. Conversely, CIM might be the easiest to perform, as it does not require special reagents. The early detection of carbapenemases aids to establish infection control measures and prevent carbapenemases to spread reducing the risk of healthcare associated infections and therapeutic failure.

Problemas na cultura de segurança do paciente em uma unidade de pronto atendimento: análise causal / Problemas en la cultura de seguridad del paciente en una unidad de emergencia: análisis de la cadena causal / Problems in the patient safety culture in an emergency care unit: causal analysis

Objetivo: construir uma matriz de análise para identificação dos problemas relacionados à cultura de segurança do paciente em uma unidade de pronto atendimento no sul do Brasil. Método: a primeira etapa, com delineamento transversal descritivo, ocorreu de julho a agosto de 2018, com enfermeiros, por meio da autoaplicação do instrumento "Safety Attitudes Questionaire - SAQ Short Form 2006". Na segunda etapa, com delineamento exploratório descritivo, as questões do SAQ passaram por análise interpretativa, realizada por enfermeiras dedicadas ao estudo da temática, em abril de 2021. Resultados: os problemas na cultura de segurança do paciente na unidade de pronto atendimento relacionaram-se à estrutura, processos de gestão e processos clínicos, principalmente de caráter organizacional. Conclusão: a utilização da análise de cadeia causal permitiu a construção de uma matriz de análise, facilitando a identificação dos principais problemas relacionados à cultura de segurança do paciente na unidade de pronto atendimento.

Objetivo: to develop an analysis matrix to identify problems related to the patient safety culture in an emergency care unit in southern Brazil. Método: the first stage, with a descriptive cross-sectional design, occurred from July to August 2018, with nurses, through the self-application of the instrument "Safety Attitudes Questionaire - SAQ Short Form 2006". In the second stage, with a descriptive exploratory design, the SAQ questions underwent an interpretative analysis, carried out by nurses dedicated to the study of the subject, in April 2021. Resultados: the problems in the patient safety culture in the emergency care unit were related to the structure, management processes and clinical processes, mainly of an organizational nature. Conclusión: the use of causal chain analysis allowed the construction of an analysis matrix, facilitating the identification of the main problems related to the patient safety culture in the emergency care unit.

Objective: to evaluate the clinical predictors for dry eye and the nursing diagnosis Risk of dry eye in postoperative patients in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit. Method: cross-sectional study conducted between May and August, 2017. The sample was 157 adult patients undergoing elective surgical procedures. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: the clinical diagnosis of dry eye prevailed in 85.35% of patients, and the nursing diagnosis Risk of dry eye in 14.65%. Statistical differences were observed between hyperemia, excessive tearing and insufficient Schirmer test with the diagnosis of ocular dryness in the right eye and with the diagnosis Risk of dry eye. In the left eye the Schirmer test was insufficient. Conclusão: hyperemia, excessive tearing and insufficient Schirmer test are relevant perioperative clinical predictors to promote preventive measures and/or early detection of dry eye.

Genomic analysis and immune response in a murine mastitis model of vB_EcoM-UFV13, a potential biocontrol agent for use in dairy cows.

Bovine mastitis remains the main cause of economic losses for dairy farmers. Mammary pathogenic Escherichia coli (MPEC) is related to an acute mastitis and its treatment is still based on the use of antibiotics. In the era of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), bacterial viruses (bacteriophages) present as an efficient treatment or prophylactic option. However, this makes it essential that its genetic structure, stability and interaction with the host immune system be thoroughly characterized. The present study analyzed a novel, broad host-range anti-mastitis agent, the T4virus vB_EcoM-UFV13 in genomic terms, and its activity against a MPEC strain in an experimental E. coli-induced mastitis mouse model. 4,975 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) were assigned between vB_EcoM-UFV13 and E. coli phage T4 genomes with high impact on coding sequences (CDS) (37.60%) for virion proteins. Phylogenetic trees and genome analysis supported a recent infection mix between vB_EcoM-UFV13 and Shigella phage Shfl2. After a viral stability evaluation (e.g pH and temperature), intramammary administration (MOI 10) resulted in a 10-fold reduction in bacterial load. Furthermore, pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF-α, were observed after viral treatment. This work brings the whole characterization and immune response to vB_EcoM-UFV13, a biocontrol candidate for bovine mastitis.

Estratégias para o desenvolvimento da liderança de enfermeiros nos serviços de saúde: revisão de escopo / Strategies for the development of nurses' leadership in health services: a scoping review

OBJETIVO: mapear as estratégias de desenvolvimento da competência de liderança de enfermeiros nos serviços de saúde. MÉTODO: revisão de escopo desenvolvida conforme proposto pelo Instituto Joanna Briggs. Estabeleceram-se como critérios de inclusão: artigos científicos originados de pesquisas de fontes primárias e secundárias, relatos de experiência, estudos de casos e artigos de reflexão com conteúdo completo disponível, sem restrição de idioma ou ano de publicação, que descrevessem estratégias para o desenvolvimento da competência de liderança direcionada aos profissionais enfermeiros nos serviços de saúde. RESULTADOS: doze artigos compuseram a amostra, os quais apresentaram como estratégias os programas de desenvolvimento de líderes, os programas com foco no planejamento de sucessão, os processos de tutorias como o coaching e mentoring e a inovação. CONCLUSÃO: observou-se que, embora os estudos reconheçam a liderança de enfermagem como competência essencial para a prática profissional dos enfermeiros, poucos trazem estratégias de desenvolvimento, especialmente em serviços de saúde.

OBJECTIVE: to map the strategies for developing the leadership competence of nurses in health services. METHOD: a scoping review was developed as proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. The following inclusion criteria were established: scientific articles originating from primary and secondary sources, experience reports, case studies, and reflection articles with full content available, with no language or date restriction, which described strategies for the development of nurses' leadership competence, in health services. RESULTS: twelve articles made up the sample, which presented as strategies the leadership development programs, programs focused on succession planning, mentoring and coaching processes, and innovation. CONCLUSION: it was observed that, although studies recognize nursing leadership as an essential competence for the professional practice of nurses, few have approached development strategies, especially in health services.

Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber Posts Subjected to Laser Surface Treatments.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of laser irradiation on flexural strength, elastic modulus, and surface roughness and morphology of glass fiber posts (GFPs). BACKGROUND DATA: Laser treatment of GFPs has been introduced to improve its adhesion properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 GFPs were divided into 4 groups according to the irradiation protocol: GC-no irradiation, GYAG-irradiation with erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet [Er:YAG], GCR-irradiation with erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG), and GDI-irradiation with diode laser. The GFP roughness and morphology were evaluated through laser confocal microscopy before and after surface treatment. Three-point bending flexural test measured flexural strength and elastic modulus. Data about elastic modulus and flexural strength were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni test (p < 0.05). The effect of roughness was evaluated using the linear mixed effects model and Bonferroni test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Laser treatment changed surface roughness in the groups GCR (p = 0.000) and GDI (p = 0.007). The mean flexural strength in GYAG (995.22 MPa) was similar to that in GC (980.48 MPa) (p = 1.000) but different from that in GCR (746.83 MPa) and that in GDI (691.34 MPa) (p = 0.000). No difference was found between the groups GCR and GDI (p = 0.86). For elastic modulus: GYAG (24.47 GPa) was similar to GC (25.92 GPa) (p = 1.000) but different from GCR (19.88 GPa) (p = 0.002) and GDI (17.20 GPa) (p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The different types of lasers, especially Er,Cr:YSGG and 980 ηm diode, influenced the mechanical properties of GFPs.

Avaliação da função cardíaca por métodos ecocardiográficos em pacientes assintomáticos com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico / Assessment of cardiac function by echocardiographic methods in asymptomatic patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

O lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES) é doença autoimune crônica. Uma das suas importantes complicações é o dano cardiovascular. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a prevalência de disfunção cardíaca em uma população local com LES e verificar se o grau de disfunção está associado com o a atividade da doença medida pelo SLEDAI (Systemic Lupus erythematosus activity index). Foram selecionados 19 pacientes assintomáticos do ponto de vista cardiovascular com diagnóstico de LES e que preenchiam os critérios classificatórios. A atividade de doença foi medida pelo SLEDAI e a função cardíaca por ecocardiografia transtorácica. Em conclusão, não foi possível identificar disfunção cardíaca na amostra estudada. Pontuações mais altas no índice de atividade do lúpus demonstraram correlação com aumento de massa de ventrículo esquerdo e fração de ejeção.

Systemic lupus erythesis (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease. One of the important complications of this disease is the cardiovascular damage The objective of this work was to study the prevalence of cardiac dysfunction in a local population with SLE and to verify whether the degree of dysfunction is associated with the disease activity measured by SLEDAI (Systemic Lupus erythematosus activity index). Were selected 19 patients asymptomatic from cardiovascular point of view diagnosed with SLE and who met the classification criteria for SLE. Disease activity was measured by SLEDAI and cardiac function was evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography. In conclusion, cardiac dysfunction could not be identified in the sample studied. Higher scores in the lupus activity index showed a correlation with increased left ventricle mass and ejection fraction.

Segurança do paciente em uma unidade de pronto atendimento: planejamento de ações estratégicas / Patient safety in an emergency care unit: planning strategic actions / Seguridad del paciente en una unidad de atención de emergencia: planificación de acciones estratégicas

Objetivo: planejar ações estratégicas para a melhoria da qualidade do cuidado e segurança do paciente em Unidade de Pronto Atendimento. Método: pesquisa descritiva, de abordagem qualitativa, desenvolvida em uma Unidade de Pronto Atendimento de um município do sul do Brasil, entre setembro de 2018 e fevereiro de 2019, tendo como participantes os enfermeiros dessa unidade. Utilizou-se como referencial metodológico a Pesquisa Convergente Assistencial, a logicidade do Planejamento Estratégico Situacional e a ferramenta 5W3H. Foram realizadas oficinas com os participantes, para escolha de problemas na segurança do paciente, proposição de melhorias, adequação e aprovação de planos de ação. Para análise dos dados utilizou-se o software R e grafos de similitude. Resultados: os problemas "comunicação" e "número insuficiente de profissionais" foram escolhidos por 24 enfermeiros, sugerindo cinco propostas, detalhadas em seis planos de ação. Conclusão: o planejamento estratégico situacional permitiu planejar ações estratégicas de melhoria na assistência que são de governabilidade dos enfermeiros.

Objective: to plan strategic actions to improve the quality of care and patient safety in the Emergency Care Unit. Method: this qualitative, descriptive, exploratory study was conducted in an Emergency Care Unit in a municipality in south Brazil, from September 2018 to February 2019, with the unit's nurses as participants. The methodological frame of reference was given by Convergent Care Research, the logic of Situational Strategic Planning, and the 5W3H tool. Workshops were held with the participants to choose problems in patient safety, propose improvements, and adaptation and approval of action plans. Data were analyzed using R software and similarity graphs. Results: nurses chose the problems "communication" and "too few staff" and made five proposals, detailed in six action plans. Conclusion: by situational strategic planning, strategic actions under nurses' governance were planned to improve care.

Objetivo: planificar acciones estratégicas para mejorar la calidad de la atención y la seguridad del paciente en la Unidad de Atención de Emergencias. Método: investigación descriptiva, con un enfoque cualitativo, desarrollada en una Unidad de Atención de Emergencias de una ciudad del sur de Brasil, entre septiembre de 2018 y febrero de 2019, cuyas participantes fueron las enfermeras de esta unidad. El marco metodológico utilizado fue la Investigación Convergente de Atención, la lógica de la Planificación Estratégica Situacional y la herramienta 5W3H. Se llevaron a cabo talleres con los participantes para elegir problemas en la seguridad del paciente, proponer mejoras, adecuación y aprobación de planes de acción. El software R y los gráficos similares se utilizaron para el análisis de datos. Resultados: los problemas de "comunicación" e "número insuficiente de profesionales" fueran elegidos por 24 enfermeras; se sugieren entonces cinco propuestas, detalladas en seis planes de acción. Conclusión: la planificación estratégica situacional permitió planificar acciones estratégicas para mejorar la atención que rigen las enfermeras.

Epicoccum nigrum and Cladosporium sp. for the treatment of oily effluent in an air-lift reactor.

The metalworking industry is responsible for one of the most complex and difficult to handle oily effluents. These effluents consist of cutting fluids, which provide refrigeration and purification of metallic pieces in the machining system. When these effluents are biologically treated, is important to do this with autochthonous microorganisms; the use of these microorganisms (bioaugmentation) tends to be more efficient because they are already adapted to the existing pollutants. For this purpose, this study aimed to use two indigenous microorganisms, Epicoccum nigrum and Cladosporium sp. for metalworking effluent treatment using an air-lift reactor; the fungus Aspergillus niger (laboratory strain) was used as a reference microorganism. The original effluent characterization presented considerable pollutant potential. The color of the effluent was 1495 mg Pt/L, and it contained 59 mg/L H2O2, 53 mg/L total phenols, 2.5 mgO2/L dissolved oxygen (DO), and 887 mg/L oil and grease. The COD was 9147 mgO2/L and the chronic toxicity factor was 1667. Following biotreatment, the fungus Epicoccum nigrum was found to be the most efficient in reducing (effective reduction) the majority of the parameters (26% COD, 12% H2O2, 59% total phenols, and 40% oil and grease), while Cladosporium sp. was more efficient in color reduction (77%).

Performance of rapid tests for carbapenemase detection among Brazilian Enterobacteriaceae isolates

ABSTRACT The global emergence of carbapenemases led to the need of developing new methods for their rapid detection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the rapid tests for carbapenemase-producing and non-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Carbapenem non-susceptible Enterobacteriaceae from a surveillance study submitted to a multiplex real time PCR for carbapenemase detection were included in this study. The isolates were subjected to the rapid phenotypic tests Carba NP, Blue-Carba and Carbapenem Inactivation Method (CIM). A total of 83 carbapenemase-producing (43) and non-producing (40) isolates were included in the study. The sensitivity/specificity were 62.7%/97.5%, 95.3%/100%, and 74.4%/97.5% for Carba NP, Blue-Carba and CIM, respectively. Both Carba NP and Blue-Carba presented their final results after 75 min of incubation; the final results for CIM were obtained only after 8 h. Failure to detect OXA-370 carbapenemase was the main problem for Carba NP and CIM assays. As the Blue-Carba presented the highest sensitivity, it can be considered the best screening test. Conversely, CIM might be the easiest to perform, as it does not require special reagents. The early detection of carbapenemases aids to establish infection control measures and prevent carbapenemases to spread reducing the risk of healthcare associated infections and therapeutic failure.

Societal perceptions of dentofacial appearances of patients with malocclusion: a systematic review / Percepção da sociedade sobre a aparência dento-facial de pacientes com má oclusão: revisão sistemática

Aim: This systematic review aimed to evaluate whether or not there is evidence enough to support the hypothesis that society promotes judgments on the facial aesthetics of individuals with malocclusion. Methods: Searches were conducted in the PubMed, Bireme, BBO, LILACS, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and SciELO databases, supplemented by an additional manual search. Results: The present study included all articles that appeared in each of these databases between January 1965 and February 2015. Inclusion criteria were based on the articles whose primary focus was the societal perception of dentofacial appearances, written in English; observational and experimental epidemiological studies (Cross-sectional, Longitudinal, Cohort, Randomized Clinical Trial, Case-Control); and systematic reviews. Review articles, clinical case reports, laboratorial experiment studies, and abstracts were excluded. This search identified 2,530 articles, of which four fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of these, only one study showed a high level of scientific evidence. The main flaws found included blind assessment of the measurement, validity of the measurement methods, error analysis of the method, and confounding factors not reported in all articles. Conclusion: According to this systematic review, it could be concluded that there is a need for further studies with more efficient methodological qualities.(AU)

Objetivo: Avaliar se existem evidências que suportam a hipótese de que a sociedade promove julgamentos considerando a estética facial de indivíduos com má oclusão. Material e Métodos: Foram realizadas buscas nas bases de dados PubMed, Bireme, BBO, LILACS, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library e Scielo, complementando por uma busca manual. Resultados: Foram incluídos todos os artigos que apareceram em cada uma destas bases de dados de janeiro de 1965 a fevereiro de 2015. Critérios de inclusão foram os artigos cujo foco principal era a percepção da sociedade em relação à aparência dento-facial, publicados em inglês, estudos epidemiológicos observacionais e experimentais (Transversal, Longitudinal, Coorte, Ensaio Clínico Randomizado e Caso-Controle) e revisão sistemática. Artigos de revisão, relatos de caso clínico, estudos laboratoriais e resumos foram excluídos. A busca bibliográfica identificou 2530 artigos e 4 preencheram os critérios de inclusão. Destes somente um estudo apresentou elevado grau de evidência científica. A avaliação cega da medição, a validade dos métodos de medição, a análise de erro de método e os fatores de confusão não declarados em todos os artigos, foram as principais falhas encontradas. Conclusão: De acordo com esta revisão sistemática, concluiu-se que há a necessidade de estudos com qualidades metodológicas mais eficientes.(AU)

Epicoccum nigrum and Cladosporium sp. for the treatment of oily effluent in an air-lift reactor

The metalworking industry is responsible for one of the most complex and difficult to handle oily effluents. These effluents consist of cutting fluids, which provide refrigeration and purification of metallic pieces in the machining system. When these effluents are biologically treated, is important to do this with autochthonous microorganisms; the use of these microorganisms (bioaugmentation) tends to be more efficient because they are already adapted to the existing pollutants. For this purpose, this study aimed to use two indigenous microorganisms, Epicoccum nigrum and Cladosporium sp. for metalworking effluent treatment using an air-lift reactor; the fungus Aspergillus niger (laboratory strain) was used as a reference microorganism. The original effluent characterization presented considerable pollutant potential. The color of the effluent was 1495 mg Pt/L, and it contained 59 mg/L H2O2, 53 mg/L total phenols, 2.5 mgO2/L dissolved oxygen (DO), and 887 mg/L oil and grease. The COD was 9147 mgO2/L and the chronic toxicity factor was 1667. Following biotreatment, the fungus Epicoccum nigrum was found to be the most efficient in reducing (effective reduction) the majority of the parameters (26% COD, 12% H2O2, 59% total phenols, and 40% oil and grease), while Cladosporium sp. was more efficient in color reduction (77%).

Modulation of expression and activity of cytochrome P450s and alteration of praziquantel kinetics during murine schistosomiasis

In this study, we investigated the expression and activity of liver cytochrome P450s (CYPs) and praziquantel (PZQ) kinetics in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Swiss Webster (SW) mice of both genders were infected (100 cercariae) on postnatal day 10 and killed on post-infection days (PIDs) 30 or 55. Non-infected mice of the same age and sex served as controls. Regardless of mouse sex, infection depressed the activities of CYP1A [ethoxy/methoxy-resorufin-O-dealkylases (EROD/MROD)], 2B9/10 [pentoxy/benzyloxy-resorufin-O-dealkylases (PROD, BROD)], 2E1 [p-nitrophenol-hydroxylase (PNPH)] and 3A11 [erythromycin N-demethylase (END)] on PID 55 but not on PID 30. On PID 55, infection decreased liver CYP mRNA levels (real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction). On PID 30, whereas mRNA levels remained unaltered in males, they were depressed in females. Plasma PZQ (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally) levels were measured (high-performance liquid chromatography) at different post-treatment intervals. In males and females, infection delayed the PZQ clearance on PID 55, but not on PID 30. Therefore, it can be concluded that schistosomiasis down-modulated CYP expression and activity and delayed PZQ clearance on PID 55, when a great number of parasite eggs were lodged in the liver. On PID 30, when egg-laying was initiated by the worms, no change of CYP expression and activity was found, except for a depression of CYP1A2 and 3A11 mRNAs in female mice.

Efeito da pentoxifilina sobre as enzimas demetabolismo de xenobióticos na malária murina causadapelo Plasmodium berghei ANKA e no modelo de sepsecausada pelo LPS de Escherichia coli / Pentoxifylline effect on xenobiotic metabolism enzymes in the murine malaria caused by Plasmodium berghei ANKA and model of sepsis caused by Escherichia coli LPS

Os citocromos P450 (CYP) são enzimas envolvidas no metabolismo dexenobióticos e de substâncias endógenas. Quando expostas a uma grande diversidade deagentes químicos ou biológicos, os CYPs podem ser modulados positiva ou negativamente. Os mecanismos pelos quais a regulação de CYP é alterada na malária ainda não foram completamente esclarecidos. Desse modo, este trabalho tem por objetivo elucidar os mecanismos que participam da regulação das atividades das CYP hepáticas 1a, 2b e 2a5 no modelo de malária murina letal provocada pelo Plasmodium berghei ANKA em camundongos da linhagem DBA-2. Também estudamos a participação das citocinas e do óxido nítrico como mediadores inflamatórios na modulação das atividades enzimáticas. Nesse sentido, a produção desses mediadores foi inibida pela PTX em duas doses 1,7 e 7mg/kg por cinco ou nove dias de tratamento. Um modelo murino de sepse causado pelo lipopolissacarídeo (LPS) de Escherichia coli foi usado como estímulo do sistema imune para elevar os níveis séricos de óxido nítrico (NO). As atividades hepáticas de Cyp1a,Cyp2b e Cyp2a5 foram quantificadas em ensaios espectrofluorimétricos. O TNF no soro dos animais foi quantificado por citometria de fluxo e o NO foi quantificado pelo método de Griess. Os resultados mostraram que no dia 13 de infecção (DI13) não foi vista depressão de Cyp1a e Cyp2b e indução de Cyp2a5 na malária. Porém, a dose de 1,7 mg/kg restituiu aos valores constitutivos as atividades de Cyp2b. O TNF foi aumentado na malária murina, o tratamento com a PTX não foi capaz de diminuir o TNF no soro de animais maláricos. Posteriormente, as atividades hepáticas de Cyp1a e 2b foram deprimidas no dia17 de infecção (DI17) na malária murina e Cyp2a5 foi induzida nos animais maláricos que receberam o tratamento com a PTX. Na sepse, apenas foi observada a depressão de Cyp2b...

A administração do LPS aumentou os níveis séricos de NO, o tratamento com a PTX na dose de 7 mg/kg não diminuiu o processo inflamatório na sepse.

Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP) are involved in the metabolism of xenobioticsand endogenous substances. When exposed to a wide variety of chemical and biologicalagents, CYPs can be positively or negatively modulated. The mechanisms by which theregulation of CYP is modulted in malaria have not been fully clarified. Thus, this workaims to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the regulation of hepatic activities of Cyp1a,2b and 2a5 in lethal murine malaria by Plasmodium berghei ANKA in DBA-2 mice. Wealso study the involvement of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and nitric oxide inmodulation of enzymatic activities. Accordingly, these mediators was inhibited by PTX intwo doses 1.7 and 7 mg/kg for five or nine days treatment. A murine model of sepsiscaused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli was used as stimulating theimmune system to raise serum levels of nitric oxide (NO). Hepatic activities of Cyp1a,Cyp2b and Cyp2a5 were quantified in espectrofluorimétricos trials. TNF in serum of theanimals was measured by flow cytometry and NO was measured by Griess method. Theresults showed that on day 13 of infection (DI13) Cyp1a and Cyp2b were not depressed andno induction of Cyp2a5 was seen in malaria. However, a dose of 1.7 mg / kg restored theactivities of the constituent values of Cyp2b. TNF has been increased in the murine malaria,but the treatment with PTX was not able to reduce TNF in sick animals. Subsequently, thehepatic activities of Cyp1a and 2b were depressed in day 17 of infection (DI17) andCyp2a5 was induced in infected animals that received treatment with PTX. In sepsis, onlydepression of Cyp2b was observed. The LPS administration increased the serum levels ofNO, treatment with PTX at the dose of 7 mg/kg did not decrease inflammation in sepsis...