Antimicrobial activity of cinnamaldehyde against multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: an in vitro and in vivo study.

The emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae strains have increased worldwide, posing a significant health threat by limiting the therapeutic options. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial potential of cinnamaldehyde against MDR-K. pneumoniae strains in vitro and in vivo assays. The presence of resistant genes in MDR- K. pneumoniae strains were evaluated by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing. Carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae strains show the blaKPC-2 gene, while polymyxin-resistant K. pneumoniae presented blaKPC-2 and alterations in the mgrB gene. Cinnamaldehyde exhibited an inhibitory effect against all MDR- K. pneumoniae evaluated. An infected mice model was used to determine the in vivo effects against two K. pneumoniae strains, one carbapenem-resistant and another polymyxin-resistant. After 24 h of cinnamaldehyde treatment, the bacterial load in blood and peritoneal fluids decreased. Cinnamaldehyde showed potential effectiveness as an antibacterial agent by inhibiting the growth of MDR-K. pneumoniae strains.

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of ethanolic extract from Serjania erecta leaves.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The infusion of Serjania erecta Radlk (Sapindaceae) (popular name "cipó-cinco-folhas") leaves is used in popular medicine to treat back pain. The anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperalgesic and anti-nociceptive properties of the ethanolic extract from S. erecta leaves (EESE) has not been yet completely clarified. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study investigated the anti-hyperalgesic, anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of EESE in experimental models in mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: EESE was fractionated by chromatographic techniques and the compound was identified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared (IR) spectrum, ultraviolet (UV) methods. Mice received a single dose of EESE by oral route (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) and were submitted to nociception induced by formalin, pleurisy induced by carrageenan and peritonitis induced by zymosan models. Mice also received EESE (30 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) for 22 days in Complete Freund Adjuvant (CFA) model and another group received EESE for 7 days (30 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) in pleurisy induced by Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). The cytotoxicity (MTT), phagocytic and chemotactic inhibitory activities of EESE were performed in in vitro assays. RESULTS: The fractionation of EESE led to the identification of kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside. The oral administration of all doses of EESE decreased the nociceptive response induced by formalin. EESE significantly inhibited leukocyte migration in carrageenan-induced pleurisy and zymosan peritonitis models. The daily administration of EESE during for 7 days inhibited the leukocyte migration and the mycobacteria growth of pleural material obtained from animals which received BCG. EESE significantly reduced edema, cold allodynia and mechanical hyperalgesia responses induced by CFA. EESE did not induce cytotoxicity, and also decreased the leukocyte phagocytic activity, as well as, neutrophil chemotaxis. CONCLUSIONS: EESE showed analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties in acute and persistent experimental models in mice. EESE also reduced in vitro leukocyte chemotaxis and phagocytic activity without inducing cytotoxicity. The continuous oral treatment with EESE was effective against hyperalgesia and inflammation and these results could explain the popular use of S. erecta as an analgesic natural agent.

Effects of Music Therapy on Neuroplasticity, Welfare, and Performance of Piglets Exposed to Music Therapy in the Intra- and Extra-Uterine Phases.

The rearing environment of pigs can cause a high level of stress due to the lack of stimuli and the impossibility of carrying out natural behaviors. Music therapy is a way to enrich the environment and promote stress relief. Few studies in swine using environmental enrichers focus on functional benefits, such as stress resilience, improved biological functions, or mental status. The effect of environmental enrichment on neurobiological processes is particularly poorly understood in farm animals. Thus, our study sought to elucidate the influence of music in piglets exposed to music therapy in the intrauterine and extrauterine phase on neuroplasticity, evaluating the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Behavioural responses were also evaluated using fear tests related to stress resilience. The productive performance of these piglets was analysed to relate the possible reduction in stress levels to greater productivity gains. Forty-eight sows were used at 90 days of gestation until the weaning of their piglets. In the gestation phase, the sows were divided into two treatments: control (without music therapy) and music (with music therapy). In the farrowing/lactation phase, the sows were separated into four treatments: control-control (no music in any phase); control-music (music only in farrowing/lactation); music-control (music only during pregnancy); and music-music (music in both reproductive phases). Music therapy did not cause a difference in the BDNF levels of piglets at birth. However, piglets born from sows of the music-music treatment did not show a reduction in BDNF between birth and weaning, unlike the other treatments. Exposure to music in the last 1/3 of pregnancy and farrowing/lactation improved the weight of piglets at birth and at weaning. Musical enrichment during pregnancy and lactation was able to cause changes in the piglets' neuroplasticity and improve their productive performances.

Evaluation of the safety of ethanolic extract from Piper amalago L. (Piperaceae) leaves in vivo: Subacute toxicity and genotoxicity studies.

Piper amalago L. (Piperaceae) is traditionally used due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, diuretic, and antiparasitic properties. However, few studies have focused on its adverse effects, compromising its safe use. This study evaluated the toxicological safety of ethanolic extract from Piper amalago leaves (EEPA), through subacute toxicity and genotoxicity assays in rodents. In subacute toxicity, 100, 200 or 300 mg/kg of EEPA were tested in female Wistar rats, by gavage, for 28 days. For genotoxicity test, female Swiss mice were orally treated with 17.5, 175 or 1750 mg/kg of EEPA and the comet, micronucleus, and splenic phagocytic assays were evaluated. In subacute toxicity, the extract induced an increase in the food and water intakes, as well as in the liver absolute weight, and in the heart and kidney relative weights. EEPA also provoked alterations in histopathological analysis of liver and in hemato-biochemical parameters, evidenced by a decrease in hematocrit levels and albumin levels, and an increase in the number of platelets and in alkaline phosphatase and cholesterol levels. However, EEPA did not presented genotoxic nor mutagenic properties. EEPA showed hemato-biochemical toxicity profile in rats and should be used with caution, especially when for prolonged period.

Anti-inflammatory properties of ethanolic extract from Vatairea macrocarpa leaves.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In Brazilian traditional folk medicine, the leaves and heartwood from Vatairea macrocarpa (Benth) Ducke (Angelim-of-Cerrado) (Fabaceae family) are used as remedy after cold maceration for the treatment of the condition popularly known as rheumatism, as well as for the general inflammatory aspects such as pains, injury and swelling. The rheumatological and rheumatic diseases affect 0.3-1.0% of the world population and all long-term treatment with conventional medications lead to adverse effects. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the chemical composition and the anti-inflammatory properties and of the ethanolic extract from V. macrocarpa leaves (EEVM) in experimental models. MATERIAL AND METHODS: EEVM was chemically analyzed by spectrophotometry and the compounds characterization was performed by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. EEVM was evaluated in methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) (3, 10, 30, and 90 µg/ml) and neutrophils phagocytic activity (1, 3, and 10 µg/ml) tests. For in vivo models, the EEVM (10, 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg) was orally administered (p.o.) for inflammatory evaluation in carrageenan-induced pleurisy in Swiss mice. The EEVM (30 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) was tested against the Complete Freund Adjuvant (CFA)-induced paw persistent inflammation and Mycobacterium bovis (bacillus Calmette-Guerin - BCG)-induced pleurisy in C57bL6 mice. RESULTS: The chemical composition of EEVM showed 157.06 mg (GAE)/g in relation to phenolic compounds, 82.13 mg (RUE)/g in relation to flavonoids and 48.99 mg (TAE)/g in relation to tannins. The flavonoid compounds identified were catechin, epicatechin and kaempferol-3-O-a-l-rhamnopyranoside. EEVM did not present cytotoxicity in MTT assay, however EEVM reduced phagocytic neutrophils activity at all tested concentration. EEVM significantly inhibited leukocytes migration/proteins exudation in carrageenan-induced pleurisy model. The daily administration of EEVM inhibited the inflammatory parameters in BCG and CFA models. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed anti-inflammatory features of EEVM (V. macrocarpa) as a natural agent against inflammatory diseases.

In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity assays of carvacrol: A candidate for development of innovative treatments against KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Dissemination of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae poses a threat to the successful treatment of bacterial diseases and increases the need for new antibacterial agents development. The objective of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of carvacrol against multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae. Carbapenemase production was detected by MALDI-TOF. The PCR and sequencing showed that the blaKPC-2, blaOXA-48, blaNDM-1, blaCTX-M-8 genes were present in carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae strains. The polymyxin-resistant K. pneumoniae strain exhibited alterations in mgrB gene. The antimicrobial activity of carvacrol was evaluated in vitro using broth microdilution and time-kill methods. For this, carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae and polymyxin-resistant strains, were evaluated. The in vitro results showed that carvacrol had antimicrobial activity against all isolates evaluated. The survival curves showed that carvacrol eradicated all of the bacterial cells within 4 h. The antimicrobial effect of carvacrol in vivo was determined using a mouse model of infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC). The treatment with carvacrol was associated with increased survival, and significantly reduced bacterial load in peritoneal lavage. In addition, groups treated with carvacrol, had a significant reduction in the total numbers of white cell and significantly increased of platelets when compared to the untreated group. In vivo and in vitro studies showed that carvacrol regimens exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against KPC-producing K. pneumoniae, making it an interesting candidate for development of alternative treatments.

Antissaliva Antibodies of Lutzomyia Longipalpis in area of Visceral Leishmaniasis.

The aim of the present study was to assess the presence of antissaliva antibodies of Lutzomyia longipalpis in human hosts living in area of visceral leishmaniasis, located in the Center-West region of Brazil. The presence of antissaliva antibodies of L. longipalpis exhibited a strong correlation with the protection and development of antibodies against Leishmania sp. Of the 492 children studied, elevated antissaliva antibodies of L. longipalpis were detected in 38.4% of the participants. There was a higher percentage of positivity (64.7%) among children who exhibited anti-Leishmania sp. antibodies and among those who were positive in the delayed hypersensitivity test (34.8%).

Isolamento de Aeromonas hydrophila em Bettas plendens – alterações histopatológicas nas brânquias / Isolation of Aeromonas hydrophila in Bettas plendens - histopathologic changes in gills / Aislamiento de Aeromonas hydrophila en Bettas plendens - alteraciones histopatológicas en las branquias

O objetivo deste estudo foi isolar e caracterizar Aeromonas hydrophila, causadora de mortalidade em peixes descrever as alterações histopatológicas provocadas nas brânquias de machos de beta Bettas plendens. Foram utilizados dez peixes que apresentavam característica de alteração de comportamento como anorexia, letalidade e apatia. Amostras de água, muco e brânquias foram inoculadas em meio de cultura Agar sangue a 25ºC por 48 horas. Foi caracterizado A. hidrófila como principal causa do surto de mortalidade. Foram observadas alterações histopatológicas nas brânquias desde fusão lamelar secundária e necrose do tecido. A. hidrophila prejudica o órgão respiratório de forma irreversível, comprometendo as trocas gasosas levando o peixe ao óbito.

The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize Aeromonas hydrophila, a cause of mortality, and to describe the histopathological changes caused in the gills of Bettas plendens. Ten fish presenting change behavior such as anorexia, lethality and apathy were used in this study. Water, mucus and gill samples were inoculated in blood agar culture medium at 25°C for 48 hours. Aeromonas hidrophila was characterized as the main cause of mortality outbreak. Histopathological changes were observed in the gills, from secondary lamellar fusion to tissue necrosis. A. hidrophila irreversibly harms the respiratory organ, compromising the gaseous exchanges, which leads to the death of the fish.

El objetivo de este estudio fue aislar y caracterizar Aeromonas hydrophila, causante de mortalidad en peces, y describir las alteraciones histopatológicas causadas en las branquias de machos de beta Bettas plendens. Se utilizó 10 peces que presentaban características de cambio de comportamiento como anorexia, mortalidad y apatía. Las muestras de agua, moco y branquias fueron inoculadas en medio de cultivo Agar sangre a 25° C durante 48 horas. Fue caracterizado A. hidrófila como principal causa del surto de mortalidad. Se ha observado cambios histopatológicos en las branquias, desde fusión lamelar secundaria y necrosis de los tejidos. A. hidrophila compromete el órgano respiratorio de forma irreversible, comprometiendo los cambios gaseosos y llevando los peces a la muerte.

Isolamento de Aeromonas hydrophila EM Bettas plendens – alterações histopatológicas nas brânquias / Isolation of Aeromonas hydrophila in Bettas plendens - histopathologic changes in gills / Aislamiento de Aeromonas hydrophila EN Bettas plendens - alteraciones histopatológicas en las branquias

O objetivo deste estudo foi isolar e caracterizar Aeromonas hydrophila, causadora de mortalidade em peixes descrever as alterações histopatológicas provocadas nas brânquias de machos de beta Bettas plendens. Foram utilizados dez peixes que apresentavam característica de alteração de comportamento como anorexia, letalidade e apatia. Amostras de água, muco e brânquias foram inoculadas em meio de cultura Agar sangue a 25ºC por 48 horas. Foi caracterizado A. hidrófila como principal causa do surto de mortalidade. Foram observadas alterações histopatológicas nas brânquias desde fusão lamelar secundária e necrose do tecido. A. hidrophila prejudica o órgão respiratório de forma irreversível, comprometendo as trocas gasosas levando o peixe ao óbito...

The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize Aeromonas hydrophila, a cause of mortality, and to describe the histopathological changes caused in the gills of Bettas plendens. Ten fish presenting change behavior such as anorexia, lethality and apathy were used in this study. Water, mucus and gill samples were inoculated in blood agar culture medium at 25°C for 48 hours. Aeromonas hidrophila was characterized as the main cause of mortality outbreak. Histopathological changes were observed in the gills, from secondary lamellar fusion to tissue necrosis. A. hidrophila irreversibly harms the respiratory organ, compromising the gaseous exchanges, which leads to the death of the fish...

El objetivo de este estudio fue aislar y caracterizar Aeromonas hydrophila, causante de mortalidad en peces, y describir las alteraciones histopatológicas causadas en las branquias de machos de beta Bettas plendens. Se utilizó 10 peces que presentaban características de cambio de comportamiento como anorexia, mortalidad y apatía. Las muestras de agua, moco y branquias fueron inoculadas en medio de cultivo Agar sangre a 25° C durante 48 horas. Fue caracterizado A. hidró- fila como principal causa del surto de mortalidad. Se ha observado cambios histopatológicos en las branquias, desde fusión lamelar secundaria y necrosis de los tejidos. A. hidrophila compromete el órgano respiratorio de forma irreversible, comprometiendo los cambios gaseosos y llevando los peces a la muerte...

Polymerase chain reaction of peripheral blood as a tool for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in children.

The diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) generally requires the use of invasive tests for the collection of infected tissue (aspirates of bone marrow, spleen, liver or lymph nodes). This difficulty has led to the search for safer and less painful techniques to confirm the occurrence of the disease in children. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a method that is advantageous in that it allows the use of peripheral blood samples for diagnosis. This paper reports the utilisation of PCR on peripheral blood samples to diagnose VL in 45 children in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. This technique is compared with methods carried out using tissue collected by invasive procedures, including direct microscopy, culture and detection of Leishmania DNA by PCR in bone marrow aspirates. The results show that PCR of peripheral blood provides great sensitivity (95.6%) that is similar to that from the PCR of bone marrow aspirates (91.1%) and higher than that achieved with microscopy (80%) or culture (26.7%) methods. PCR of peripheral blood proved to be a suitable tool for the diagnosis of VL in children because it is highly sensitive and safe, with tissue collection being less invasive than in traditional tests.

Polymerase chain reaction of peripheral blood as a tool for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in children

The diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) generally requires the use of invasive tests for the collection of infected tissue (aspirates of bone marrow, spleen, liver or lymph nodes). This difficulty has led to the search for safer and less painful techniques to confirm the occurrence of the disease in children. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a method that is advantageous in that it allows the use of peripheral blood samples for diagnosis. This paper reports the utilisation of PCR on peripheral blood samples to diagnose VL in 45 children in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. This technique is compared with methods carried out using tissue collected by invasive procedures, including direct microscopy, culture and detection of Leishmania DNA by PCR in bone marrow aspirates. The results show that PCR of peripheral blood provides great sensitivity (95.6 percent) that is similar to that from the PCR of bone marrow aspirates (91.1 percent) and higher than that achieved with microscopy (80 percent) or culture (26.7 percent) methods. PCR of peripheral blood proved to be a suitable tool for the diagnosis of VL in children because it is highly sensitive and safe, with tissue collection being less invasive than in traditional tests.