'Queer in Microbiology': a Microbiology Society members' endeavour for creating a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ microbiologists.

The past decade has seen growing awareness of the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ scientists, including discrimination in the workplace and the lack of representation. Initiatives such as 500 Queer Scientists, Pride in STEM and the Microbiology Society's LGBTQIA+ events have been instrumental in promoting inclusivity in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM). The Microbiology Society and its members have played a pivotal role in these efforts and summarized here are their initiatives towards safer and more inclusive scientific and research environments. Starting with a series of interviews and blog posts about the experiences of LGBTQIA+ microbiologists in research, the Society has promoted the organization of networking and social events and developed guidelines for creating more inclusive scientific conferences. These initiatives have not only improved the representation and visibility of LGBTQIA+ individuals in microbiology, but have also served as a blueprint for similar efforts in other scientific areas. Nevertheless, despite improvements in some areas, full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ scientists is still hindered by societal and institutional policies around the world. Here, we propose novel measures to support and empower LGBTQIA+ microbiological communities within learned societies.

N-Acetylcysteine Alters Disease Progression and Increases Janus Kinase Mutation Frequency in a Mouse Model of Precursor B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is the most prevalent type of cancer in young children and is associated with high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was tested for its ability to alter disease progression in a mouse model of B-ALL. Mb1-CreΔPB mice have deletions in genes encoding PU.1 and Spi-B in B cells and develop B-ALL at 100% incidence. Treatment of Mb1-CreΔPB mice with NAC in drinking water significantly reduced the frequency of CD19+ pre-B-ALL cells infiltrating the thymus at 11 weeks of age. However, treatment with NAC did not reduce leukemia progression or increase survival by a median 16 weeks of age. NAC significantly altered gene expression in leukemias in treated mice. Mice treated with NAC had increased frequencies of activating mutations in genes encoding Janus kinases 1 and 3. In particular, frequencies of Jak3 R653H mutations were increased in mice treated with NAC compared with control drinking water. NAC opposed oxidization of PTEN protein ROS in cultured leukemia cells. These results show that NAC alters leukemia progression in this mouse model, ultimately selecting for leukemias with high Jak3 R653H mutation frequencies. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: In a mouse model of precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia associated with high levels of reactive oxygen species, treatment with N-acetylcysteine did not delay disease progression but instead selected for leukemic clones with activating R653H mutations in Janus kinase 3.

Bioemulsifier from sponge-associated bacteria reduces staphylococcal biofilm.

Biofilm formation is a major health concern and studies have been pursued to find compounds able to prevent biofilm establishment and remove pre-existing biofilms. While biosurfactants (BS) have been well-known for possessing antibiofilm activities, bioemulsifiers (BE) are still scarcely explored for this purpose. The present study aimed to evaluate the bioemulsifying properties of cell-free supernatants produced by Bacillaceae and Vibrio strains isolated from marine sponges and investigate their antiadhesive and antibiofilm activities against different pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The BE production by the marine strains was confirmed by the emulsion test, drop-collapsing, oil-displacement, cell hydrophobicity and hemolysis assays. Notably, Bacillus cereus 64BHI1101 displayed remarkable emulsifying activity and the ultrastructure analysis of its BE extract (BE64-1) revealed the presence of structures typically observed in macromolecules composed of polysaccharides and proteins. BE64-1 showed notable antiadhesive and antibiofilm activities against Staphylococcus aureus, with a reduction of adherence of up to 100 % and a dispersion of biofilm of 80 %, without affecting its growth. BE64-1 also showed inhibition of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli biofilm formation and adhesion. Thus, this study provides a starting point for exploring the antiadhesive and antibiofilm activities of BE from sponge-associated bacteria, which could serve as a valuable tool for future research to combat S. aureus biofilms.

COVID-19 death risk predictors in Brazil using survival tree analysis: a retrospective cohort from 2020 to 2022.

PURPOSE: This study analyses the survival of hospitalized patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) due to COVID-19 and identifies the risk groups for death due to COVID-19 from the identification of potential interactions between its predictors. METHODS: This was a retrospective longitudinal study with data from 1,756,917 patients reported in the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System from 26 February 2020 to 31 December 2022. In this study, all adult and older (≥ 20 years) patients were hospitalized with SARS due to COVID-19, with death as the outcome. Survival tree analysis was used to identify potential interactions between the predictors. A model was built for each year of study. RESULTS: Hospital lethalitywas 33.2%. The worst survival curve was observed among those who underwent invasive mechanical ventilation and were aged 80 years or older in the three years of the pandemic. Black and brown race/color were predictors of deaths in the years 2020 and 2021 when there was greater demand from the health system due to the greater number of cases. CONCLUSION: By applying survival tree analysis we identified several numbers of homogeneous subgroups with different risks for mortality from COVID-19. These findings show the effects of wide inequalities of access by the population, requiring effective policies for the reduction and adequate management of the disease.

Intensive versus less intensive blood pressure targets after mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Hemodynamic management, specifically blood pressure, is essential to reduce mortality and preserve functional capacity. However, the literature is uncertain about the best blood pressure target to be adopted after performing mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Randomized clinical trials that compared blood pressure goals after mechanical thrombectomy were searched in the following databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Biomedcentral, and Cochrane Library. The last search was on September 19, 2023. The results obtained were used to construct network meta-analyses. A total of 1556 participants were enrolled from 4 randomized controlled trials (OPTIMAL-BP, ENCHANTED2/MT, BP-TARGET, BEST-II). The last article was not included in the network meta-analysis because it did not have common blood pressure targets. The outcomes compared were: mRS (modified Rankin scale), eTICI/mTICI scale scores, symptomatic and any intracerebral hemorrhage, post-intervention NIHSS, and post-intervention infarct volume. The outcomes using the mRS scale showed that better outcomes were reached with less intensive blood pressure targets when comparing < 120 mmHg vs. ≤ 180 mmHg, OR: 0.71 (95% CI 0.54 - 0.94), in the outcome of mRS 0-1. And for the mRS 0-2 outcome with comparisons < 120 mmHg vs. ≤ 180 mmHg, with OR: 0.59 (95% CI 0.44 - 0.77) and < 140 mmHg vs. ≤ 180 mmHg, with OR: 0.61 (95% CI 0.41 - 0.89). In patients with large vessel occlusion treated with mechanical thrombectomy and who achieved good reperfusion, intensive blood pressure lowering is not effective and might be harmful respect to non intensive blood pressure control in recanalized patients.

Polyphenols, Antioxidants, and Wound Healing of Lecythis pisonis Seed Coats.

To better use the Lecythis pisonis Cambess. biomass, this study investigates whether Sapucaia seed coats present wound healing properties. We analyzed the antibacterial, antioxidant, and wound healing-promoting potentials, plus cytotoxicity and stimulation of vascular endothelial growth factor-A. The chemical composition was analyzed by positive ion mode electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. A total of 19 compounds were identified, such as proanthocyanidin A1, procyanidins A1, B2, and C1, epigallocatechin, and kaempferol (p-coumaroyl) glycoside. Potent antioxidant strength/index was verified for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (IC50 = 0.99 µg/mL) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (IC50 = 1.09 µg/mL). The extract did not present cytotoxicity and promoted significant cell migration and/or proliferation of fibroblasts (p < 0.05). Vascular endothelial growth factor-A was stimulated dose-dependently at 6 µg/mL (167.13 ± 8.30 pg/mL), 12.5 µg/mL (210.3 ± 14.2 pg/mL), and 25 µg/mL (411.6 ± 29.4 pg/mL). Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) (0.002 µg/mL) was stimulated at 215.98 pg/mL. Staphylococcus aureus was susceptible to the extract, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 31.25 µg/mL. The identified compounds benefit the antioxidant activity, promoting hemostasis for the wound healing process, indicating that this extract has the potential for use in dermatological cosmetics.

Improving the knowledge management of marine megafauna strandings.

Although the marine megafauna often strands on beaches around the world, such as sea turtles and whales, stranding data are poorly managed and incorporated into management and conservation strategies. Here we use a knowledge value chain framework to call attention for the urgent need to improve our data architecture and knowledge management on marine megafauna strandings. We use Brazil, a continental megadiverse federative republic, as study model. After describing the main components and identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the current Brazilian data architecture, we propose 10 practical measures for its improvement involving researchers, companies, non-governmental organizations, legislators, policy makers, public agents, citizen scientists, and local communities. Although Brazil has notable strengths such as comprehensive environmental legislation, hundreds of scientists and dozens of prestigious research institutions, stranding data is not translated into technical-scientific knowledge; technical-scientific knowledge is not transformed into effective public regulations; deficient regulations lead to bad decisions and limited actions, which in turn result in ineffective management and conservation strategies. In light of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), we propose (1) expanding standardized beach monitoring projects to the entire Brazilian coast; (2) creating a governmental database with FAIR principles; (3) encouraging the development of broad citizen science initiatives; (4) funding scientists and research institutions; (5) boosting outreach activities among researchers to popularize the scientific knowledge; (6) raising awareness among legislators and policy makers on the problem of strandings; (7) updating the existing legal provisions on the environmental licensing of activities developed at sea; (8) hiring new environmental analysts and inspectors and improving the infrastructure of executing environmental agencies; (9) strengthening existing conservation networks with multiple stakeholders; and (10) making the results of the management and conservation strategies broadly accessible to society. These recommendations may also apply to other coastal countries around the world.

Models for predicting coffee yield from chemical characteristics of soil and leaves using machine learning.

BACKGROUND: Coffee farming constitutes a substantial economic resource, representing a source of income for several countries due to the high consumption of coffee worldwide. Precise management of coffee crops involves collecting crop attributes (characteristics of the soil and the plant), mapping, and applying inputs according to the plants' needs. This differentiated management is precision coffee growing and it stands out for its increased yield and sustainability. RESULTS: This research aimed to predict yield in coffee plantations by applying machine learning methodologies to soil and plant attributes. The data were obtained in a field of 54.6 ha during two consecutive seasons, applying varied fertilization rates in accordance with the recommendations of soil attribute maps. Leaf analysis maps also were monitored with the aim of establishing a correlation between input parameters and yield prediction. The machine-learning models obtained from these data predicted coffee yield efficiently. The best model demonstrated predictive fit results with a Pearson correlation of 0.86. Soil chemical attributes did not interfere with the prediction models, indicating that this analysis can be dispensed with when applying these models. CONCLUSION: These findings have important implications for optimizing coffee management and cultivation, providing valuable insights for producers and researchers interested in maximizing yield using precision agriculture. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Expanding Transition Metal-Mediated Bioorthogonal Decaging to Include C-C Bond Cleavage Reactions.

The ability to control the activation of prodrugs by transition metals has been shown to have great potential for controlled drug release in cancer cells. However, the strategies developed so far promote the cleavage of C-O or C-N bonds, which limits the scope of drugs to only those that present amino or hydroxyl groups. Here, we report the decaging of an ortho-quinone prodrug, a propargylated ß-lapachone derivative, through a palladium-mediated C-C bond cleavage. The reaction's kinetic and mechanistic behavior was studied under biological conditions along with computer modeling. The results indicate that palladium (II) is the active species for the depropargylation reaction, activating the triple bond for nucleophilic attack by a water molecule before the C-C bond cleavage takes place. Palladium iodide nanoparticles were found to efficiently trigger the C-C bond cleavage reaction under biocompatible conditions. In drug activation assays in cells, the protected analogue of ß-lapachone was activated by nontoxic amounts of nanoparticles, which restored drug toxicity. The palladium-mediated ortho-quinone prodrug activation was further demonstrated in zebrafish tumor xenografts, which resulted in a significant anti-tumoral effect. This work expands the transition-metal-mediated bioorthogonal decaging toolbox to include cleavage of C-C bonds and payloads that were previously not accessible by conventional strategies.

Antimicrobial resistance and biotechnological potential of plastic-associated bacteria isolated from an urban estuary.

Plastics have quickly become one of the major pollutants in aquatic environments worldwide and solving the plastic pollution crisis is considered a central goal of modern society. In this study, 10 different plastic samples, including high- and low-density polyethylene and polypropylene, were collected from a deeply polluted urban estuary in Brazil. By employing different isolation and analysis approaches to investigate plastic-associated bacteria, a predominance of potentially pathogenic bacteria such as Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, and Vibrio was observed throughout all plastic samples. Bacteria typically found in the aquatic environment harboured clinically relevant genes encoding resistance to carbapenems (blaKPC ) and colistin (such as mcr-3 and mcr-4), along with genetic determinants associated with potentially active gene mobilization. Whole genome sequencing and annotation of three plastic-associated Vibrio strains further demonstrated the carriage of mobile genetic elements and antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes. On the other hand, bacteria isolated from the same samples were also able to produce esterases, lipases, and bioemulsifiers, thus highlighting that the plastisphere could also be of special interest from a biotechnological perspective.

Unravelling the sponge microbiome as a promising source of biosurfactants.

Microbial surfactants are particularly useful in bioremediation and heavy metal removal from soil and aquatic environments, amongst other highly valued uses in different economic and biomedical sectors. Marine sponge-associated bacteria are well-known producers of bioactive compounds with a wide array of potential applications. However, little progress has been made on investigating biosurfactants produced by these bacteria, especially when compared with other groups of biologically active molecules harnessed from the sponge microbiome. Using a thorough literature search in eight databases, the purpose of the review was to compile the current knowledge on biosurfactants from sponge-associated bacteria, with a focus on their relevant biotechnological applications. From the publications between the years 1995 and 2021, lipopeptides and glycolipids were the most identified chemical classes of biosurfactants. Firmicutes was the dominant phylum of biosurfactant-producing strains, followed by Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. Bioremediation led as the most promising application field for the studied surface-active molecules in sponge-derived bacteria, despite the reports endorsed their use as antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents. Finally, we appoint some key strategies to instigate the research appetite on the isolation and characterization of novel biosurfactants from the poriferan microbiome.

Effects of chemotherapeutic drugs on the antioxidant capacity of human erythroleukemia cells with MDR phenotype.

In this work, we identified that different chemotherapeutic drugs may select cells with different antioxidant capacities. For this, we evaluated the sensitivity of two multidrug-resistant (MDR) erythroleukemia cell lines: Lucena (resistant to vincristine, VCR) and FEPS (resistant to daunorubicin, DNR) derived from the same sensitive cell K562 (non-MDR) to hydrogen peroxide. In addition, we evaluated how the cell lines respond to the oxidizing agent in the absence of VCR/DNR. In absence of VCR, Lucena drastically decreases cell viability when exposed to hydrogen peroxide, while FEPS is not affected even without DNR. To analyze whether selection by different chemotherapeutic agents may generate altered energetic demands, we analyzed the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the relative expression of the glucose transporter 1 gene (glut1). We observed that the selection through DNR apparently generates a higher energy demand than VCR. High levels of transcription factors genes expression (nrf2, hif-1α, and oct4) were kept even when the DNR is withdrawn from the FEPS culture for one month. Together, these results indicate that DNR selects cells with greater ability to express the major transcription factors related to the antioxidant defense system and the main extrusion pump (ABCB1) related to the MDR phenotype. Taking into account that the antioxidant capacity of tumor cells is closely related to resistance to multiple drugs, it is evident that endogenous antioxidant molecules may be targets for the development of new anticancer drugs.

Uncovering the Microbial Diversity of Two Exotic Calcareous Sponges.

Sponges-associated microorganisms play important roles in their health and ecology; consequently, they may be crucial in the successful adaptation of exotic species to novel environments. However, few studies have focused on the microbial diversity of exotic sponges, especially those with calcium carbonate spicules (class Calcarea). Therefore, this is the first in situ characterization of the microbiota of the exotic calcareous sponges Sycettusa hastifera and Paraleucilla magna. Our results suggest that S. hastifera has a more stable microbiota than P. magna, as there were no differences in its beta diversity among sampling sites. Conversely, P. magna showed significant differences in its microbial communities, perhaps related to its adhesion to artificial substrate and/or shellfish mariculture activities. Each sponge species presented a single dominant proteobacterial OTU potentially active in the nitrogen cycle, which could help sponge detoxification, especially in polluted areas where exotic species usually establish. Our results show the importance of assessing the microbial diversity to unveil host-microorganism relationships and suggest that these associated nitrogen-cycling microorganisms could favor the success of exotic sponges in new environments.

Self-selected or fixed: is there an optimal rest interval for controlling intensity in high-intensity interval resistance training?

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effects of different rest interval strategies during high-intensity interval resistance training (HIRT) on cardiorespiratory, perceptual, and enjoyment responses among trained young men. METHODS: Sixteen men experienced with HIRT underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing and were familiarized with the exercises and HIRT protocol. On the subsequent three visits, interspaced 48-72 h, participants performed HIRT sessions with different rest intervals in a randomized order: 10 s and 30 s fixed rest intervals (FRI-10 and FRI-30), and self-selected rest interval (SSRI). Oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), and recovery perception (Total Quality Recovery Scale) were measured during HIRT, while enjoyment responses (Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale) were assessed immediately after the sessions. RESULTS: The VO2 during exercise was greater in FRI-10 than FRI-30 (55% VO2max and 47% VO2max, respectively, p = 0.01), while no difference occurred between SSRI and bouts performed with fixed intervals (52% VO2max vs. FRI, p > 0.05). HR, excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), recovery perception, and enjoyment responses were similar across conditions (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Exercise intensity was not affected by the rest interval strategy. High exercise intensity was maintained in sessions performed with FRI or SSRI, without negative repercussions on the duration of training sessions and enjoyment responses after exercise sessions.

[COVID-19 mortality in metropolitan areas vs. other regions of Brazil, 2020 to 2021Mortalidad por COVID-19 en las regiones metropolitanas y en el interior de Brasil, 2020-2021]. / Mortalidade por covid-19 no interior e em regiões metropolitanas do Brasil, 2020 a 2021.

Objective: To compare hospital mortality rates (HMR) due to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) associated with COVID-19 recorded in metropolitan areas and other regions (interior) of Brazil in 2020 and 2021. Method: This ecological study used public data available on OpenDataSUS. The information was accessed in May 2022. The following variables were considered: age, sex, hospitalization, presence of a risk factor, ICU stay, use of ventilatory support, and final classification in the individual registration form of SARS cases due to COVID-19. Cases and deaths were stratified into five age groups (0-19 years, 20-39 years, 40-59 years, 60-79 years, and ≥80 years) and by place of residence (metropolitan area or interior). The HMR had as numerator the absolute number of deaths by SARS associated with covid-19; and, as a denominator, the absolute number of cases of SARS due to covid-19 according to the year of occurrence, area of residence, age bracket, sex, hospitalization, presence of a risk factor, ICU admission, and use of ventilatory support. Results: There was a significant increase in HMR due to SARS associated with COVID-19 in 2021 in all age groups, except 0-19 years and ≥80 years, as well as among individuals admitted to an ICU and who used invasive ventilatory support, both in metropolitan areas as well as in the interior. Conclusions: There was a worsening of the epidemiological scenario in 2021 with an increase in HMR. However, no differences were identified between the metropolitan regions and the interior of the country.

Objetivo: Comparar las tasas de mortalidad hospitalaria por el síndrome respiratorio agudo grave relacionado con la COVID-19 registradas en las regiones metropolitanas y el interior de Brasil en el período 2020-2021. Método: Se realizó un estudio ecológico con datos públicos disponibles en el sistema OpenDataSUS. La información se consultó en mayo del 2022. Se tomaron en cuenta las siguientes variables: edad, sexo, hospitalización, presencia de factores de riesgo, ingreso en la unidad de cuidados intensivos, uso de apoyo ventilatorio y clasificación final en la hoja de registro individual de casos del síndrome respiratorio agudo grave por COVID-19. Los casos y las defunciones se estratificaron en cinco grupos etarios (0-19 años, 20-39 años, 40-59 años, 60-79 años y ≥80 años) y por ubicación del municipio de residencia (región metropolitana o interior). El numerador de la tasa de mortalidad hospitalaria fue el número absoluto de defunciones por el síndrome respiratorio agudo grave relacionado con la COVID-19, y el denominador, el número absoluto de casos del mismo síndrome relacionado con la COVID-19 según el año de aparición, la residencia en una región metropolitana o en el interior, el grupo etario, el sexo, la hospitalización, la presencia de factores de riesgo, el ingreso en la unidad de cuidados intensivos y el uso de apoyo ventilatorio. Resultados: Se comprobó un aumento significativo de la tasa de mortalidad hospitalaria por el síndrome respiratorio agudo grave relacionado con la COVID-19 en el 2021 en todos los grupos etarios, excepto en los grupos de 0-19 años y ≥80 años, así como entre las personas internadas en la unidad de cuidados intensivos que recibieron apoyo respiratorio invasivo, tanto en las regiones metropolitanas como en el interior. Conclusiones: La situación epidemiológica empeoró en el 2021 con el aumento de la tasa de mortalidad hospitalaria, pero no se observaron diferencias entre las regiones metropolitanas y el interior del país.

Remote Monitoring System of Dynamic Compression Bracing to Correct Pectus Carinatum.

Pectus carinatum (PC) is a chest deformity caused by disproportionate growth of the costal cartilages compared with the bony thoracic skeleton, pulling the sternum forwards and leading to its protrusion. Currently, the most common non-invasive treatment is external compressive bracing, by means of an orthosis. While this treatment is widely adopted, the correct magnitude of applied compressive forces remains unknown, leading to suboptimal results. Moreover, the current orthoses are not suitable to monitor the treatment. The purpose of this study is to design a force measuring system that could be directly embedded into an existing PC orthosis without relevant modifications in its construction. For that, inspired by the currently commercially available products where a solid silicone pad is used, three concepts for silicone-based sensors, two capacitive and one magnetic type, are presented and compared. Additionally, a concept of a full pipeline to capture and store the sensor data was researched. Compression tests were conducted on a calibration machine, with forces ranging from 0 N to 300 N. Local evaluation of sensors' response in different regions was also performed. The three sensors were tested and then compared with the results of a solid silicon pad. One of the capacitive sensors presented an identical response to the solid silicon while the other two either presented poor repeatability or were too stiff, raising concerns for patient comfort. Overall, the proposed system demonstrated its potential to measure and monitor orthosis's applied forces, corroborating its potential for clinical practice.

Augmented Reality-Assisted Ultrasound Breast Biopsy.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the world and the fifth-leading cause of cancer-related death. Treatment is effective in the early stages. Thus, a need to screen considerable portions of the population is crucial. When the screening procedure uncovers a suspect lesion, a biopsy is performed to assess its potential for malignancy. This procedure is usually performed using real-time Ultrasound (US) imaging. This work proposes a visualization system for US breast biopsy. It consists of an application running on AR glasses that interact with a computer application. The AR glasses track the position of QR codes mounted on an US probe and a biopsy needle. US images are shown in the user's field of view with enhanced lesion visualization and needle trajectory. To validate the system, latency of the transmission of US images was evaluated. Usability assessment compared our proposed prototype with a traditional approach with different users. It showed that needle alignment was more precise, with 92.67 ± 2.32° in our prototype versus 89.99 ± 37.49° in a traditional system. The users also reached the lesion more accurately. Overall, the proposed solution presents promising results, and the use of AR glasses as a tracking and visualization device exhibited good performance.

Delving into the Mechanisms of Sponge-Associated Enterobacter against Staphylococcal Biofilms.

Staphylococci are one of the most common causes of biofilm-related infections. Such infections are hard to treat with conventional antimicrobials, which often lead to bacterial resistance, thus being associated with higher mortality rates while imposing a heavy economic burden on the healthcare system. Investigating antibiofilm strategies is an area of interest in the fight against biofilm-associated infections. Previously, a cell-free supernatant from marine-sponge-associated Enterobacter sp. inhibited staphylococcal biofilm formation and dissociated the mature biofilm. This study aimed to identify the chemical components responsible for the antibiofilm activity of Enterobacter sp. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the aqueous extract at the concentration of 32 µg/mL could dissociate the mature biofilm. Liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry revealed seven potential compounds in the aqueous extract, including alkaloids, macrolides, steroids, and triterpenes. This study also suggests a possible mode of action on staphylococcal biofilms and supports the potential of sponge-derived Enterobacter as a source of antibiofilm compounds.

Anticancer Activity of Chalcones and Its Derivatives: Review and In Silico Studies.

Chalcones are direct precursors in the biosynthesis of flavonoids. They have an α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl system which gives them broad biological properties. Among the biological properties exerted by chalcones, their ability to suppress tumors stands out, in addition to their low toxicity. In this perspective, the present work explores the role of natural and synthetic chalcones and their anticancer activity in vitro reported in the last four years from 2019 to 2023. Moreover, we carried out a partial least square (PLS) analysis of the biologic data reported for colon adenocarcinoma lineage HCT-116. Information was obtained from the Web of Science database. Our in silico analysis identified that the presence of polar radicals such as hydroxyl and methoxyl contributed to the anticancer activity of chalcones derivatives. We hope that the data presented in this work will help researchers to develop effective drugs to inhibit colon adenocarcinoma in future works.

Bio-Prospecting of Crude Leaf Extracts from Thirteen Plants of Brazilian Cerrado Biome on Human Glioma Cell Lines.

(1) Background: Malignant gliomas are aggressive tumors characterized by fast cellular growth and highly invasive properties. Despite all biological and clinical advances in therapy, the standard treatment remains essentially palliative. Therefore, searching for alternative therapies that minimize adverse symptoms and improve glioblastoma patients' outcomes is imperative. Natural products represent an essential source in the discovery of such new drugs. Plants from the cerrado biome have been receiving increased attention due to the presence of secondary metabolites with significant therapeutic potential. (2) Aim: This study provides data on the cytotoxic potential of 13 leaf extracts obtained from plants of 5 families (Anacardiaceae, Annonaceae, Fabaceae, Melastomataceae e Siparunaceae) found in the Brazilian cerrado biome on a panel of 5 glioma cell lines and one normal astrocyte. (3) Methods: The effect of crude extracts on cell viability was evaluated by MTS assay. Mass spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR MS) was performed to identify the secondary metabolites classes presented in the crude extracts and partitions. (4) Results: Our results revealed the cytotoxic potential of Melastomataceae species Miconia cuspidata, Miconia albicans, and Miconia chamissois. Additionally, comparing the four partitions obtained from M. chamissois crude extract indicates that the chloroform partition had the greatest cytotoxic activity against the glioma cell lines. The partitions also showed a mean IC50 close to chemotherapy, temozolomide; nevertheless, lower toxicity against normal astrocytes. Analysis of secondary metabolites classes presented in these crude extracts and partitions indicates the presence of phenolic compounds. (5) Conclusions: These findings highlight M. chamissois chloroform partition as a promising component and may guide the search for the development of additional new anticancer therapies.