Proteomic Profiles of Staphylococcus aureus Strains Associated with Subclinical Bovine Mastitis.

Staphylococcus aureus is the main pathogen associated with bovine mastitis, an intramammary inflammation that leads to significant economic losses in dairy herds. Efforts have been made to identify the bacterial determinants important to the infective process but most of the studies are focused on surface and secreted proteins. Considering that virulence is affected by metabolism, in this study we contrasted the proteome of strains of S. aureus causing persistent subclinical (Sau302 and Sau340) and clinical bovine mastitis (RF122). Protein expressions from cytosolic fractions of bacteria grown under conditions mimicking the mastitic mammary glands are reported. A total of 342 proteins was identified, 52 of which were differentially expressed. Among those down-regulated in the subclinical strains were the two-component sensor histidine kinase SaeS and PurH, both involved in bacterial virulence. The ribosome hibernation promotion factor and the 50S ribosomal protein L13 were up-regulated suggesting that Sau302 and Sau340 modulate protein translation, a condition that may contribute to bacterial survival under stressful conditions. TRAP, a regulator possibly involved in pathogenesis, was expressed only in RF122 while proteins from the Isd system, involved in heme acquisition, were exclusive to Sau302 and Sau340. In summary, the metabolic differences suggest a reduced virulence of the strains causing subclinical mastitis which may contribute to the persistent infection seen in the animals.

In silico evaluation of pharmacokinetics properties of withanolides and simulation of their biological activities against Alzheimer's disease.

The withanolides are naturally occurring steroidal lactones found mainly in plants of the Solanaceae family. The subtribe Withaninae includes species like Withania sominifera, which are a source of many bioactive withanolides. In this work, we selected and evaluate the ADMET-related properties of 91 withanolides found in species of the subtribe Withaninae computationally, to predict the relationship between their structures and their pharmacokinetic profiles. We also evaluated the interaction of these withanolides with known targets of Alzheimer's disease (AD) through molecular docking and molecular dynamics. Withanolides presented favorable pharmacokinetic properties, like high gastrointestinal absorption, lipophilicity (logP ≤ 5), good distribution and excretion parameters, and a favorable toxicity profile. The specie Withania aristata stood out as an interesting source of the promising withanolides classified as 5-ene with 16-ene or 17-ene. These withanolides presented a favourable pharmacokinetic profile and were also highlighted as the best candidates for inhibition of AD-related targets. Our results also suggest that withanolides are likely to act as cholinesterase inhibitors by interacting with the catalytic pocket in an energy favorable and stable way.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Can the post-ruminal urea release impact liver metabolism, and nutritional status of beef cows at late gestation?

We aimed to evaluate the effects of post-ruminal supply of urea (PRU) on nutritional status, and liver metabolism of pregnant beef cows during late gestation. Twenty-four Brahman dams, pregnant from a single sire, and weighing 545 kg ± 23 kg were confined into individual pens at 174 ± 23 d of gestation, and randomly assigned into one of two dietary treatments up to 270 d of gestation: Control (CON, n = 12), consisting of a basal diet supplemented with conventional urea, where the cows were fed with diets containing 13.5 g conventional urea per kg dry matter; and PRU (PRU, n = 12), consisting of a basal diet supplemented with a urea coated to extensively prevent ruminal degradation while being intestinally digestible, where the cows were fed with diets containing 14,8 g urea protected from ruminal degradation per kg dry matter. Post-ruminal supply of urea reduced the urine levels of 3-methylhistidine (P = 0.02). There were no differences between treatments for dry matter intake (DMI; P = 0.76), total digestible nutrient (TDN) intake (P = 0.30), and in the body composition variables, such as, subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT; P = 0.72), and rib eye area (REA; P = 0.85). In addition, there were no differences between treatments for serum levels of glucose (P = 0.87), and serum levels of glucogenic (P = 0.28), ketogenic (P = 0.72), glucogenic, and ketogenic (P = 0.45) amino acids, neither for urea in urine (P = 0.51) as well as urea serum (P = 0.30). One the other hand, enriched pathways were differentiated related to carbohydrate digestion, and absorption, glycolysis, pyruvate metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, pentose phosphate pathway, and biosynthesis of amino acids of the exclusively expressed proteins in PRU cows. Shifting urea supply from the rumen to post-ruminal compartments decreases muscle catabolism in cows during late gestation. Our findings indicate that post-ruminal urea supplementation for beef cows at late gestation may improve the energy metabolism to support maternal demands. In addition, the post-ruminal urea release seems to be able to trigger pathways to counterbalance the oxidative stress associated to the increase liver metabolic rate.

Impact of Maternal Feed Restriction at Different Stages of Gestation on the Proteomic Profile of the Newborn Skeletal Muscle.

We aimed to investigate the effects of the maternal plane of nutrition during gestation on the proteome profile of the skeletal muscle of the newborn. Pregnant goats were assigned to the following experimental treatments: restriction maintenance (RM) where pregnant dams were fed at 50% of their maintenance requirements from 8−84 days of gestation, and then feed of 100% of the maintenance requirements was supplied from 85­parturition (n = 6); maintenance restriction (MR) where pregnant dams were fed at 100% of their maintenance requirements from 8−84 days of gestation, and then experienced feed restriction of 50% of the maintenance requirements from 85­parturition (n = 8). At birth, newborns were euthanized and samples of the Longissimus dorsi muscle were collected and used to perform HPLC-MS/MS analysis. The network analyses were performed to identify the biological processes and KEGG pathways of the proteins identified as differentially abundant protein and were deemed significant when the adjusted p-value (FDR) < 0.05. Our results suggest that treatment RM affects the energy metabolism of newborns' skeletal muscle by changing the energy-investment phase of glycolysis, in addition to utilizing glycogen as a carbon source. Moreover, the RM plane of nutrition may contribute to fatty acid oxidation and increases in the cytosolic α-KG and mitochondrial NADH levels in the skeletal muscle of the newborn. On the other hand, treatment MR likely affects the energy-generation phase of glycolysis, contributing to the accumulation of mitochondrial α-KG and the biosynthesis of glutamine.

Withalutin, a new cytotoxic withanolide from Athenaea velutina (Sendtn.) D'Arcy.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of dichloromethane extract from Athenaea velutina leaves led to the isolation of three withanolides, all being reported for the first time in this species. They were identified as withacnistin (1), withacnistin acetate (2) and a new withanolide, designated as withalutin (3). The structures were established by spectral data analysis, including MS, 1D and 2D NMR. In addition, in silico ADMET studies were employed to understand the pharmacokinetic properties of these withanolides. The withanolides isolated from A. velutina reduced cancer cell viability with IC50 values ranging from 1.52 to 5.39 µM. In silico prediction revealed that withanolides have good gastrointestinal absorption or oral bioavailability properties; and are not likely to be mutagenic or hepatotoxic. These findings revealed that A. velutina is an important source of cytotoxic withanolides.

Does BCR-ABL transcript type influence the prognosis of patients in chronic myelogenous leukemia chronic phase?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated the influence of the transcript type on hematological and clinical parameters, as well as the event-free survival of 50 patients in the Chronic myeloid leukemia chronic phase. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 55 patients with Chronic myeloid leukemia. The eligibility criteria were based on the availability of hematological and clinical baseline data in the medical records. Data on BCR-ABL transcripts were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (36%) had the b2a2 transcript, 24 (48%) had b3a2 and 8 (16%) had b2a2/b3a2. The median platelet count for transcripts b2a2, b3a2 and b2a2/b3a2 was 320.65×103/L, 396×103/L, and 327.05×103/L, respectively (p=0.896). We could not find any differences in relation to the other hematological parameters, when compared to the transcript type. Comparison between spleen and liver size and type of transcript did not differ inside the groups (p=0.395 and p=0.647, respectively) and the association between risk scores and transcript type did not show statistical significance (p>0.05). The 21-month probability for event-free survival was 21%, 48% and 66% for the transcripts b2a2, b3a2 and b2a2/b3a2 respectively (p=0.226) CONCLUSION: We conclude that the expression BCR-ABL transcripts have no influence on hematological, clinical and event-free survival parameters of patients in the Chronic myeloid leukemia chronic phase.

Acupuntura no controle de náuseas e vômitos em pacientes oncológicos / Acupuncture in the control of nausea and vomiting in oncology patients / Acupuntura en el control de náuseas y vómitos en pacientes oncológicos

Objetivo: verificar o efeito da acupuntura no controle de náuseas e vômitos em pacientes submetidos à quimioterapia. Método: trata-se de um estudo bibliográfico, descritivo, tipo revisão integrativa da literatura, entre 2008 a 2018, na BVS (Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde) e na MEDLINE via PUBMED. Analisaram-se os artigos pela leitura reflexiva e criteriosa acerca das principais informações e elementos que compõem a temática nos estudos. Resultados: resultaram-se 15 artigos em inglês, espanhol e português. Percebeu-se que o efeito da acupuntura no controle de náuseas e vômitos induzidos pela quimioterapia foi satisfatório em 13 dos 15 estudos que compuseram esta revisão, mostrando uma diminuição desses sintomas durante e após o tratamento. Destacaram-se, entre os métodos evidenciados nos estudos, a acupuntura clássica e a eletroacupuntura. Conclusão: avalia-se que a acupuntura é uma prática integrativa e complementar aos tratamentos convencionais na oncologia, pois melhora a qualidade de vida dos pacientes em tratamento quimioterápico.(AU)

Objective: to verify the effect of acupuncture on the control of nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Method: this is a bibliographic, descriptive, integrative literature review type study, between 2008 and 2018, at the VHL (Virtual Health Library) and at MEDLINE via PUBMED. The articles were analyzed by a reflexive and careful reading about the main information and elements that make up the theme in the studies. Results: the result was 15 articles in English, Spanish and Portuguese. It was noticed that the effect of acupuncture in the control of nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy was satisfactory in 13 of the 15 studies that composed this review, showing a decrease in these symptoms during and after treatment. Among the methods evidenced in the studies, classical acupuncture and electroacupuncture were highlighted. Conclusion: acupuncture is considered an integrative practice and complementary to conventional treatments in oncology, because it improves the quality of life of patients in chemotherapy treatment.

Objetivo: verificar el efecto de la acupuntura en el control de náuseas y vómitos en pacientes sometidos a quimioterapia. Método: se trata de una revisión bibliográfica, descriptiva, integradora de la literatura, entre 2008 y 2018, en la BVS (Virtual Health Library) y MEDLINE vía PUBMED. Los artículos fueron analizados mediante una lectura reflexiva y atenta sobre las principales informaciones y elementos que componen el tema de los estudios. Resultados: se publicaron 15 artículos en inglés, español y portugués, se notó que el efecto de la acupuntura en el control de náuseas y vómitos inducidos por quimioterapia fue satisfactorio en 13 de los 15 estudios que componen esta revisión, mostrando una disminución de estos síntomas durante y después del tratamiento. Entre los métodos evidenciados en los estudios se destacaron la acupuntura clásica y la electroacupuntura. Conclusión: se evalúa que la acupuntura es una práctica integradora y complementaria a los tratamientos convencionales en oncología, ya que mejora la calidad de vida de los pacientes sometidos a quimioterapia.(AU)

Association of oxidative stress and DNA damage with grafting time in patients with multiple myeloma and lymphoma submitted to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between oxidative stress and DNA damage with grafting time in patients submitted to autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). The study included 37 patients submitted to autologous HSCT diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (MM) and lymphoma (Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's). Biomarkers of oxidative stress and DNA damage index (DI) were performed at baseline (pre-CR) of the disease and during the conditioning regimen (CR), one day after the HSCT, ten days after HSCT and twenty days after HSCT, as well as in the control group consisting of 30 healthy individuals. The outcomes showed that both groups of patients had an hyperoxidative state with high DI when compared to baseline and to the control group and that the CR exacerbated this condition. However, after the follow-up period of the study, this picture was re-established to the baseline levels of each pathology. The study patients with MM showed a mean grafting time of 10.75 days (8 to 13 days), with 10.15 days (8 to 15 days) for the lymphoma patients. In patients with MM, there was a negative correlation between the grafting time and the basal levels of GPx (r = -0.54; p = 0.034), indicating that lower levels of this important enzyme are associated with a longer grafting time. For the DI, the correlation was a positive one (r = 0.529; p = 0.030). In the group with lymphoma, it was observed that the basal levels of NOx were positively correlated with grafting time (r = 0.4664, p = 0.032). The data indicate the potential of these biomarkers as predictors of toxicity and grafting time in patients with MM and Lymphomas submitted to autologous HSCT.

A craniopuntura japonesa como instrumento para o tratamento da dor não específica em profissionais de saúde / The japanese scalp acupuncture as an instrument for non- specific pain treatment in health professionals / La craniopuntura japonesa como instrumento para el tratamiento del dolor no específico en profesionales de salud

Objetivo: Caracterizar a técnica de craniopuntura japonesa como instrumento para o tratamento da dor não específica em profissionais de saúde. Método: Estudo do tipo antes e depois. O cenário foi uma instituição pública de saúde, de assistência em nível primário. O processo de coleta dos dados ocorreu por um período de 4 semanas, totalizando 8 sessões. Foi utilizada a Escala Visual/verbal Numérica antes e após a sessão. Os dados foram analisados com auxílio do programa Bioestat 5.3. Resultados: Foi composto por 7 sujeitos, aproximadamente 41% do total dos profissionais da equipe que compõem o cenário do estudo. A técnica de craniopuntura japonesa auxiliou na redução da dor (p=0,009) em 100% dos participantes deste estudo. Conclusão: A craniopuntura japonesa foi eficaz em todas as sessões, na redução da dor não específica dos sujeitos do estudo

Objective: The study's goal has been to characterize the Japanese scalp acupuncture technique as an instrument for non-specific pain treatment in health professionals. Methods: It is a controlled before-and-after study. The scenario was a public health institution, which performs health assistance at the primary level. The data collection process was carried out over a period of 4 weeks, totaling 8 sessions. The Visual/Verbal Numeric Scale was used both before and after each session. Data were analyzed using the Bioestat 5.3 program. Results: It was encompassed by 7 subjects, approximately 41% of the total of the professionals of the team that comprises the studied scenario. The Japanese scalp acupuncture technique helped reduce pain (p=0.009) in 100% of the participants of this study. Conclusion: Japanese scalp acupuncture was effective in all sessions, therefore, reducing non-specific pain events in the participants under study

Objetivo: Caracterizar la técnica de craneofaringe japonés como instrumento para el tratamiento del dolor no específico en los profesionales de la salud. Método: Estudio del tipo antes y después. El escenario fue una institución pública de salud, de asistencia a nivel primario. El proceso de recolección de datos ocurrió por un período de 4 semanas, totalizando 8 sesiones. Se utilizó la Escala Visual / verbal Numérica antes y después de la sesión. Los datos se analizaron con ayuda del programa Bioestat 5.3. Resultados: Fue compuesto por 7 sujetos, aproximadamente el 41% del total de los profesionales del equipo que componen el escenario del estudio. La técnica de craneoparatil japonesa ayudó en la reducción del dolor (p = 0,009) en el 100% de los participantes de este estudio. Conclusión: La cranealuntura japonesa fue eficaz en todas las sesiones, en la reducción del dolor no específico de los sujetos del estudio

Does BCR-ABL transcript type influence the prognosis of patients in chronic myelogenous leukemia chronic phase?

ABSTRACT Introduction and objective: In this study, we evaluated the influence of the transcript type on hematological and clinical parameters, as well as the event-free survival of 50 patients in the Chronic myeloid leukemia chronic phase. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 55 patients with Chronic myeloid leukemia. The eligibility criteria were based on the availability of hematological and clinical baseline data in the medical records. Data on BCR-ABL transcripts were obtained from medical records. Results: Eighteen patients (36%) had the b2a2 transcript, 24 (48%) had b3a2 and 8 (16%) had b2a2/b3a2. The median platelet count for transcripts b2a2, b3a2 and b2a2/b3a2 was 320.65 × 103/L, 396 × 103/L, and 327.05 × 103/L, respectively (p = 0.896). We could not find any differences in relation to the other hematological parameters, when compared to the transcript type. Comparison between spleen and liver size and type of transcript did not differ inside the groups (p = 0.395 and p = 0.647, respectively) and the association between risk scores and transcript type did not show statistical significance (p > 0.05). The 21-month probability for event-free survival was 21%, 48% and 66% for the transcripts b2a2, b3a2 and b2a2/b3a2 respectively (p = 0.226) Conclusion: We conclude that the expression BCR-ABL transcripts have no influence on hematological, clinical and event-free survival parameters of patients in the Chronic myeloid leukemia chronic phase.

Evidências científicas brasileiras acerca da infecção primária da corrente sanguínea em pediatria / Brazilian scientific evidences about primary bloodstream infection in pediatrics

Objetiva-se analisar as evidências científicas brasileiras mais recentes sobre prevenção e controle da Infecção Primária de Corrente Sanguínea (IPCS) em pediatria. Tratou-se de uma revisão integrativa de literatura de artigos publicados nos últimos dez anos na base de dados Literatura Latino-Americana do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) e nas bibliotecas virtuais Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) e Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SciELO). Foram combinados os descritores em português "Cateteres" AND "Infecções relacionadas a cateter" AND "Infecção Hospitalar AND Pediatria". Foram selecionados 11 artigos após aplicação dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão. As evidências apontam para a prevalência de IPCS, contudo, estas podem ser prevenidas quando ocorre a adoção de boas práticas pelos serviços de saúde. Concluí-se que a pesar das medidas de prevenção e controle da IPCS estarem bem estabelecidas, as evidências apontam níveis de desempenho insatisfatórios pelos profissionais de saúde na implementação das mesmas

The aim is to analyze the latest Brazilian scientific evidence on control and prevention of Primary Bloodstream Infection (IPCS) in pediatrics. Integrative literature review of articles published in the last ten years in the Latin American Database Caribbean Health Sciences (LILACS) and virtual libraries Virtual Health Library (VHL) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO). The descriptors were combined in Portuguese "Catheters" AND "infections related to catheter" AND "Hospital Infection AND Pediatrics". 11 articles were selected after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria's. Evidence points to the prevalence of IPCS; however, these can be prevented when you apply best practices for health services. It concludes that despite the prevention measures and control of IPCS being well established, evidence shows unsatisfactory performance levels by the health professionals in the implementation

Association of oxidative stress and DNA damage with grafting time in patients with multiple myeloma and lymphoma submitted to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / Associação do estresse oxidativo e dano ao DNA com o tempo de enxertia em pacientes com mieloma múltiplo e linfomas submetidos a transplante autólogo de células-tronco hematopoéticas

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to investigate the association between oxidative stress and DNA damage with grafting time in patients submitted to autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). The study included 37 patients submitted to autologous HSCT diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (MM) and lymphoma (Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s). Biomarkers of oxidative stress and DNA damage index (DI) were performed at baseline (pre-CR) of the disease and during the conditioning regimen (CR), one day after the HSCT, ten days after HSCT and twenty days after HSCT, as well as in the control group consisting of 30 healthy individuals. The outcomes showed that both groups of patients had an hyperoxidative state with high DI when compared to baseline and to the control group and that the CR exacerbated this condition. However, after the follow-up period of the study, this picture was re-established to the baseline levels of each pathology. The study patients with MM showed a mean grafting time of 10.75 days (8 to 13 days), with 10.15 days (8 to 15 days) for the lymphoma patients. In patients with MM, there was a negative correlation between the grafting time and the basal levels of GPx (r = -0.54; p = 0.034), indicating that lower levels of this important enzyme are associated with a longer grafting time. For the DI, the correlation was a positive one (r = 0.529; p = 0.030). In the group with lymphoma, it was observed that the basal levels of NOx were positively correlated with grafting time (r = 0.4664, p = 0.032). The data indicate the potential of these biomarkers as predictors of toxicity and grafting time in patients with MM and Lymphomas submitted to autologous HSCT.

RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi investigar a associação entre estresse oxidativo e dano ao DNA com o tempo de enxertia em pacientes submetidos ao transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas autólogo (TCTH). Participaram do estudo 37 pacientes submetidos ao TCTH autólogo com diagnóstico de mieloma múltiplo (MM) e Linfomas (Hodgkin e não Hodgkin). Biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo e índice de dano ao DNA (ID) foram determinados no estado basal (Pré-RC) das doenças e durante o regime de condicionamento (RC), um dia após o TCTH, dez dias após o TCTH e vinte dias após o TCTH e no grupo controle composto por 30 individuos saudáveis. Os resultados demonstraram que os dois grupos de pacientes apresentaram um estado hiperoxidativo com elevado ID quando comparados ao estado basal e ao grupo controle e que o RC exacerbou essa condição. No entanto, após o tempo de acompanhamento do estudo, esse quadro foi reestabelecido ao estado basal de cada patologia. Os pacientes do estudo com MM apresentaram uma média do tempo de enxertia de 10,75 dias (8 a 13 dias), e de 10,15 dias (8 a 15 dias) para o grupo Linfoma. Nos pacientes com MM houve uma correlação negativa entre o tempo de enxertia e os níveis basais de GPx (r=-0,54; p=0,034), indicando que níveis mais baixos de GPx estão relacionados a um maior tempo de enxertia, e para o ID, a correlação foi positiva (r=0,529; p=0,030). No grupo com Linfoma, observou-se que os níveis basais de NOx correlacionaram-se positivamente com o tempo de enxertia (r= 0,4664; p=0,032). Os dados apontam para o potencial desses biomarcadores como preditores da toxicidade e do tempo de enxertia em pacientes com MM e Linfomas submetidos ao TCTH autólogo