Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia in a Portuguese Bronchiectasis Outpatient Clinic.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare hereditary condition characterized by decreased mucociliary clearance of the airways and a compromised reproductive system, resulting in male and female infertility. Several mutations with varied clinical and pathological features have been documented, making diagnosis a challenging process. The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical and pathological features of Portuguese patients with PCD and to examine their genetic variants. A retrospective observational analysis was conducted with patients who were being monitored at a bronchiectasis outpatient clinic in 2022 and had a confirmed or high-likelihood diagnosis of PCD. In total, 17 patients were included in the study, with 12 (66.7%) having PCD confirmed and 5 (29.4%) having a high-likelihood diagnosis. Furthermore, 12 patients were subjected to transmission electron microscopy (TEM), with 7 (58.3%) exhibiting one hallmark defect. Genetic test data was obtained for all 17 patients, with 7 of them (41.2%) displaying a pathogenic/likely pathogenic mutation in homozygosity. To summarize, PCD is an uncommon but significant hereditary illness with consequences regarding morbidity and mortality. Despite the lack of a specific treatment, it is critical to confirm the diagnosis with genetic testing in order to effectively manage the disease and its accompanying disorders.

Degradation of textile dyes by cyanobacteria

Abstract Dyes are recalcitrant compounds that resist conventional biological treatments. The degradation of three textile dyes (Indigo, RBBR and Sulphur Black), and the dye-containing liquid effluent and solid waste from the Municipal Treatment Station, Americana, São Paulo, Brazil, by the cyanobacteria Anabaena flos-aquae UTCC64, Phormidium autumnale UTEX1580 and Synechococcus sp. PCC7942 was evaluated. The dye degradation efficiency of the cyanobacteria was compared with anaerobic and anaerobic-aerobic systems in terms of discolouration and toxicity evaluations. The discoloration was evaluated by absorption spectroscopy. Toxicity was measured using the organisms Hydra attenuata, the alga Selenastrum capricornutum and lettuce seeds. The three cyanobacteria showed the potential to remediate textile effluent by removing the colour and reducing the toxicity. However, the growth of cyanobacteria on sludge was slow and discoloration was not efficient. The cyanobacteria P. autumnale UTEX1580 was the only strain that completely degraded the indigo dye. An evaluation of the mutagenicity potential was performed by use of the micronucleus assay using Allium sp. No mutagenicity was observed after the treatment. Two metabolites were produced during the degradation, anthranilic acid and isatin, but toxicity did not increase after the treatment. The cyanobacteria showed the ability to degrade the dyes present in a textile effluent; therefore, they can be used in a tertiary treatment of effluents with recalcitrant compounds.

Optimization of lipids production by Cryptococcus laurentii 11 using cheese whey with molasses

This study aimed the optimization of culture condition and composition for production of Cryptococcus laurentii 11 biomass and lipids in cheese whey medium supplemented with sugarcane molasses. The optimization of pH, fermentation time, and molasses concentration according to a full factorial statistical experimental design was followed by a Plackett-Burman experimental design, which was used to determine whether the supplementation of the culture medium by yeast extract and inorganic salts could provide a further enhancement of lipids production. The following conditions and composition of the culture medium were found to optimize biomass and lipids production: 360 h fermentation, 6.5 pH and supplementation of (g L-1): 50 molasses, 0.5 yeast extract, 4 KH2PO4, 1 Na2HPO4, 0.75 MgSO4•7H2O and 0.002 ZnSO4•H2O. Additional supplementation with inorganic salts and yeast extract was essential to optimize the production, in terms of product concentration and productivity, of neutral lipids by C. laurentii 11. Under this optimized condition, the production of total lipids increased by 133% in relation to control experiment (from 1.27 to 2.96 g L-1). The total lipids indicated a predominant (86%) presence of neutral lipids with high content of 16- and 18- carbon-chain saturated and monosaturated fatty acids. This class of lipids is considered especially suitable for the production of biodiesel.

Comparison of two lipid extraction methods produced by yeast in cheese whey

This work aimed to evaluate nine strains of yeast, previously identified as good producers of lipids in honey medium, for selecting the most suitable strain for the production of lipids in cheese whey medium and compared two well known extraction methods of lipids from the culture medium. The highest yield of total lipids was 1.27 g.L-1 produced by Cryptococcus laurentii 11. A comparison was made between the two culture media: cheese whey and liquid YEPG, and two lipid extraction methods: Bligh and Dyer and Folch et al. for C. laurentii. The experiments were performed with 2² full factorial design using two factors and two levels. Lipid content was higher in cheese whey and there was no difference in the extraction methods statistically. The method of Bligh and Dyer was used in preference to Folch et al. as it resulted in larger mean of total lipids.

Cerebral tuberculomas - A clinical challenge.

Cerebral tuberculomas are a rare and serious form of tuberculosis (TB) due to the haematogenous spread of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (MT). Symptoms and radiologic features are nonspecific, leading sometimes to misdiagnosis. Anti-TB drugs are essential for the successful treatment of cerebral tuberculomas but there is no agreement regarding the duration of therapy. The authors present a case of a 55 years old male, presented to the emergency room with sudden onset of diplopia. Cerebral computerized tomography revealed multiple brain lesions, with contrast enhancement and peri-lesional oedema. The patient was HIV negative and because of previous malignancy the first suspicion was metastatic disease. Cultural exam of the bronchial wash showed MT sensitive to all first-line drugs. The patient started antituberculosis treatment with 4 drugs (HRZE) for 2 months, followed by maintenance therapy (HR). Treatment was prolonged for 24 months because at 12th and 18th months of treatment one of the brain lesions, although significantly smaller, still showed contrast enhancement. Even though it is not clear if contrast enhancement lesions represent active lesions or just inflammation, continuing treatment until total resolution of the tuberculomas is probably prudent.

Tracheal bronchus with metachronous tumor.

Tracheal bronchus, a bronchus arising from the lateral wall of the trachea, is a rare congenital anomaly. It is usually asymptomatic but symptoms could occur with relatively poor local drainage. There are a few cases of lung cancer within the tracheal bronchus reported in the literature; however, none of them were reported to be metachronous. A metachronous tumor is a second primary malignancy diagnosed >6 months after the diagnosis of the index tumor. We present a case of a squamous cell carcinoma originating in a tracheal bronchus of a 53-year-old patient previously diagnosed with a supraglottic malignancy.

Papel do preceptor da atenção primária em saúde na formação da graduação e pós-graduação da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco: um termo de referência / The primary health care preceptor in undergraduate and graduate training at Pernambuco Federal University: a reference term

O objetivo principal deste artigo é apresentar uma orientação teórica e prática aos preceptores da atenção primária à saúde vinculados à Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Pressupõe a atenção primária à saúde como um cenário de prática para estudantes de diferentes graduações e pós-graduações com características próprias. Aborda aspectos importantes do processo ensino-aprendizagem no ambiente comunitário, articulando os diferentes atores deste, entre os quais o conceito de conhecimento na atenção primária; a relação preceptor-estudante; a correlação teoria e prática; a avaliação processual; o ensino e a pesquisa no trabalho; a inserção político-social da aprendizagem; a interdisciplinaridade; o trabalho em equipe e a interinstitucionalidade na integração ensino-serviço. Por fim, propõe a reintegração do espaço da educação, da pesquisa e do trabalho.

This article aims to present a theoretical and practical guideline to primary health care preceptors connected to the Pernambuco Federal University. Primary health care is presumed as a practical setting for students of different undergraduate and graduate courses, with their own characteristics. Important aspects of the teaching-learning process in the community are addressed, including the concept of knowledge in primary care; the preceptor-student relationship; theory-practice correlation; procedural assessment; education and research at work; socio-political context of learning; interdisciplinarity; teamwork and cross-institutional service-learning integration. Finally, it proposes the reintegration of the learning, research and work space.

Enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse pretreated with acid or alkali

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of enzymatic hydrolysis of acid or alkali pretreated sugarcane bagasse for the production of fermentable sugars. The first step consisted of selection of commercial enzymes presenting the highest cellulolytic activities. After selection of four enzymes: HPL, CL, P1 and P4, their performances were tested in the bagasse pretreated with acid and alkali. The sugar content of the hydrolysates was analyzed by anion exchange liquid chromatography. Data showed that the joint action of 0.5 percent acid pretreatment, 121ºC, 30 minutes and enzyme CL provides the best results, 67.25 g of hexose and 148.13g of pentose per kg of dry bagasse.

Use of vinasse and sugarcane bagasse for the production of enzymes by lignocellulolytic fungi

In this present work, three strains of Pleurotus and Trichoderma reesei were cultivated in media with pre-treated bagasse and vinasse. Cellulolytic and lignolytic activities and biomass production were analyzed. The treatment of the bagasse with 2 percent H2O2 + 1.5 percent NaOH + autoclave resulted in a greater fiber breakage increasing the cellulose level up to 1.2 times and decreasing 8.5 times the hemicellulose content. This treatment also resulted in a high lignolytic activity for all cultures utilized. T. reesei produced laccase, peroxidase and manganese-peroxidase in all the treatments, having its manganese-peroxidase activity raging from 1.9 to 4.8 times higher than the basidiomycetes.

Recentemente o uso de material lignocelulolítico tem mostrado um importante avanço na produção de biocombustíveis. O bagaço e a vinhaça são resíduos oriundos do processamento da cana de açúcar e contem um alto teor de carbono, que geralmente é usado na co-geração de energia e ração animal. Três linhagens de Pleurotus e um ascomiceto, Trichoderma reesei, foram cultivados em bagaço pré-tratado e vinhaça. As atividades lignolíticas e celulolíticas foram analisadas, tanto quanto a produção de biomassa. Foi observado que o tratamento no bagaço com 2 por cento H2O2 + 1.5 por cento NaOH + autoclave resultou numa maior quebra da fibra, aumentando o teor de celulose em 1.2 vezes mais e diminuiu em 8.5 vezes o conteúdo de hemicelulose. Este tratamento também resultou numa alta atividade lignolítica pelos fungos utilizados. O ascomiceto T. reesei produziu lacase, peroxidase e manganês-peroxidase em todos os tratamentos, tendo uma atividade de manganês-peroxidase variando entre 1.9 a 4.8 vezes mais que nos basidiomicetos.

Isolation of diuron-degrading bacteria from treated soil

A degradação do herbicida diuron foi estudada em solo com e sem histórico de aplicação obtendo-se aproximadamente degradação sete vezes maior no solo com histórico de aplicação, após 64 dias de incubação. Houve um aumento no número de bactérias no solo com histórico de aplicação de 3.3 x 10 elevado a 6 potência para 1.9 x 10 elevado a 8 potência UFC. g-1 solo. Não houve aumento na biomassa após a incubação, porém foi encontrado significante resíduo de 14C-diuron na biomassa. Um consórcio de três bactérias foi isolado, Acinetobacter johnsonii e duas espécies de Bacillus sp., em meio contendo diuron como única fonte de carbono. Somente A. johnsonnii foi capaz de crescer sozinha em meio contendo diuron como única fonte de carbono.

Biodegradação de Glifosato em dois solos brasileiros / Biodegradation of Glyphosate in two brazilian soils

Avaliou-se a biodegradação de Glifosato em amostras de dois solos brasileiros, ambos com e sem histórico de uso prévio do herbicida. Aplicou-se o Glifosato em 75 g de cada amostra de solo (tres repetições) na dosagem recomendada para condição de campo (2,16 kg i.a/ha). A biodegradação foi avaliada monitorando-se a liberação de CO2 pelos microorganismos no período de 32 dias. Durante esse período foram quantificados os resíduos de Glifosato e seu principal metabólito por meio de extração, seguida de análise por Cromatografia a Líquido de Alta Eficiência. Os resultados mostraram que o Glifosato foi degradado pelos microorganismos do solo, com formação de seu metabólito ácido aminometilfosfônico (AMPA). A degradação mostrou-se ligeiramente superior em Argissolo que em Latossolo

Lixiviaçäo do inseticida C-endosulfan em solos do Estado de Säo Paulo / Percolation of insecticides C-endosulfan in soils of the Parana State, Brazil

A lixiviaçäo do C-Endosulfan foi estudada em tres solos do Estado de Säo Paulo, com diferentes propriedades físico-químicas. Foram montadas tres colunas de lixiviaçäo para cada tipo de solo, com 28 cm de altura, 5 cm de diâmetro e fluxo de água de 0,14 mL/min, simulando 48 horas de precipitaçäo com intensidade de 200 mm de chuva. Coletou-se o lixiviado a cada 12 horas, determinando-se seu volume e radioatividade. Cerca de 78 por cento da radioatividade aplicada permaneceu nos primeiros 2 cm para os tres solos. O solo com menor teor de matéria orgânica e argila (Areia Quartzosa - AQ) foi o que teve maior quantidade do inseticida lixiviado. O solo com maior teor de matéria orgânica apresentou menor teor de inseticida na soluçäo do solo para ser lixiviado. A quantidade acumulada de Endosulfan encontrada nos lixiviados, após 48 horas, foi relativamente baixa, tendo o solo AQ apresentado 0,17 por cento do total aplicado