Stieleria tagensis sp. nov., a novel member of the phylum Planctomycetota isolated from Tagus River in Portugal.

A bacterial strain was isolated from a brackish water sample of Tagus river, Alcochete, Portugal and was designated TO1_6T. It forms light pink colonies on M13 medium supplemented with N-acetylglucosamine. Cells are pear-shaped to spherical, form rosettes and divide by budding. Strain TO1_6T presents a mesophilic and neutrophilic profile, with optimum growth at 20 to 25 °C and pH 7.0 to 7.5, and vitamin supplementation is not required to promote its growth. The genome of the novel isolate is 7.77 Mbp in size and has a DNA G + C content of 56.3%. Based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence, this strain is affiliated with the phylum Planctomycetota. Further taxonomic characterization using additional phylogenetic markers, namely rpoB gene sequence (encoding the ß-subunit of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase), as well as Percentage of conserved proteins, average nucleotide identity and average amino acid identity, suggest the affiliation of strain TO1_6T to the genus Stieleria, a recently described taxon in the family Pirellulaceae, order Pirellulales and class Planctomycetia. Based on the genotypic, phylogenetic and physiological characterization, we here describe a new species represented by the type strain TO1_6T (= CECT 30432T, = LMG 32465T), for which the name Stieleria tagensis sp. nov. is proposed.

The anti-Leishmania potential of bioactive compounds derived from naphthoquinones and their possible applications. A systematic review of animal studies.

Leishmaniasis affects millions of people worldwide, and available treatments have severe limitations. Natural and derivative products are significant sources of innovative therapeutic agents. Naphthoquinones are natural or synthetic chemical compounds with broad biological activity. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the potential anti-Leishmania activity of bioactive compounds derived from naphthoquinones in animal models. Conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, two blocks of MeSH terms were assembled: group I, Leishmania OR Leishmaniasis; group II, Atovaquone OR Lapachol OR Beta lapachone OR Naphthoquinones. The search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Lilacs databases. Twenty-four articles were retrieved and submitted for quality assessment using the SYRCLE critical appraisal tool. The in vivo anti-Leishmania potential of naphthoquinones was evaluated in visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis using several measurement parameters. Analyzed compounds varied in structure, association with reference drugs, and encapsulation using a drug delivery system. The study design, including treatment protocol, differed between studies. The findings of the studies in this systematic review indicate the anti-Leishmania potential of naphthoquinones in vivo, with different treatment regimens directed against different Leishmania species. The employed drug delivery systems improve the results concerning selectivity, distribution, and required therapeutic dose. The immunomodulatory action was shown to be beneficial to the host, favoring an adequate immune response against infection by Leishmania parasites since it favored Th1 responses. All studies presented a moderate to high risk of bias. These findings suggest that more studies are needed to assess the overall effectiveness and safety of these treatments.

Microbiological quality, antibiotic resistant bacteria and relevant resistance genes in ready-to-eat Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas).

Oysters are a highly valued seafood but can endanger public health, if they are eaten raw or barely cooked. We evaluated the microbiological quality of Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas) by international standard methods in four groups (each with four to five animals) acquired from supermarkets and directly from a farm producer. Most of the groups presented satisfactory microbiological quality. In two groups of oysters, 'questionable' or 'unsatisfactory' quality was observed for the coagulase-positive Staphylococcus parameter. Culture-based methods did not detect Salmonella spp. or enteropathogenic Vibrio spp., but Vibrio alginolyticus, a potential foodborne pathogen, was identified by molecular analysis. Fifty strains, belonging to 19 species, were isolated in antibiotic-supplemented media, and their antibiotic susceptibility profile was evaluated. Genes coding for ß-lactamases were searched by PCR in bacteria showing resistance phenotype. Decreased susceptibility or resistance to distinct antibiotics were observed for bacteria from depurated and non-depurated oysters. The blaTEM gene was identified in Escherichia fergusonii and Shigella dysenteriae strains, which showed multidrug-resistant phenotypes. The possibility that oysters might be a source of antibiotic-resistant bacteria/antibiotic resistance genes is of great concern and highlights the need for stricter controls and preventative measures to mitigate and counteract the dissemination of antibiotic resistance across the food chain.

Mental Health of Brazilians Heart Surgeons: Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Over the past few years, we have seen some signs of change in mental health among cardiovascular surgeons. Suicide cases, troubled professional relationships, separations, and treatment of depression and anxiety are common occurrences in this group of surgeons. With this in mind, we decided to perform an analysis of the mental health of Brazilian cardiovascular surgeons. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional qualitative study. Thirty-seven validated questionnaires (from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition) were collected at the 46th Congress of the Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Cardiovascular, in April 2019. It was authorized by the Faculdade da Saúde e Ecologia Humana Ethics Committee (CAAE-09479519.7.0000.5101). The questionnaires were analyzed by a psychiatrist who grouped the individuals with signs suggestive of some mental disorder. RESULTS: The questions that pointed out signs and symptoms of possible anxiety, depression, alcohol or drug abuse, and burnout were selected in the questionnaire. Seventeen individuals (45.95%) did not score for any disorder. Twenty individuals (54.05%) in our sample had one or more disorders, with 43.24% (16 individuals) showing signs or symptoms compatible with anxiety - the World Health Organization data for Brazil show a 9.3% incidence of anxiety in the general population. We found signs of depression in 21.62% of our sample (5.8% in the general population), of alcohol or drug abuse in 27.03% (19.4% in the general population), and of burnout in 40.54% (32% in the general population). CONCLUSION: Mental disorders are present in most cardiovascular surgeons studied.

Mental Health of Brazilians Heart Surgeons: Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Introduction: Over the past few years, we have seen some signs of change in mental health among cardiovascular surgeons. Suicide cases, troubled professional relationships, separations, and treatment of depression and anxiety are common occurrences in this group of surgeons. With this in mind, we decided to perform an analysis of the mental health of Brazilian cardiovascular surgeons. Methods: This is a cross-sectional qualitative study. Thirty-seven validated questionnaires (from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition) were collected at the 46th Congress of the Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Cardiovascular, in April 2019. It was authorized by the Faculdade da Saúde e Ecologia Humana Ethics Committee (CAAE-09479519.7.0000.5101). The questionnaires were analyzed by a psychiatrist who grouped the individuals with signs suggestive of some mental disorder. Results: The questions that pointed out signs and symptoms of possible anxiety, depression, alcohol or drug abuse, and burnout were selected in the questionnaire. Seventeen individuals (45.95%) did not score for any disorder. Twenty individuals (54.05%) in our sample had one or more disorders, with 43.24% (16 individuals) showing signs or symptoms compatible with anxiety - the World Health Organization data for Brazil show a 9.3% incidence of anxiety in the general population. We found signs of depression in 21.62% of our sample (5.8% in the general population), of alcohol or drug abuse in 27.03% (19.4% in the general population), and of burnout in 40.54% (32% in the general population). Conclusion: Mental disorders are present in most cardiovascular surgeons studied.