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1.
Bioorg Med Chem ; 108: 117774, 2024 May 26.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38833750

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which remains a significant global health challenge. The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Mtb strains imposes the development of new therapeutic strategies. This study focuses on the identification and evaluation of potential inhibitors against Mtb H37Ra through a comprehensive screening of an in-house chemolibrary. Subsequently, a promising pyrimidine derivative (LQM495) was identified as promising and then further investigated by experimental and in silico approaches. In this context, computational techniques were used to elucidate the potential molecular target underlying the inhibitory action of LQM495. Then, a consensus reverse docking (CRD) protocol was used to investigate the interactions between this compound and several Mtb targets. Out of 98 Mtb targets investigated, the enhanced intracellular survival (Eis) protein emerged as a target for LQM495. To gain insights into the stability of the LQM495-Eis complex, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted over a 400 ns trajectory. Further insights into its binding modes within the Eis binding site were obtained through a Quantum mechanics (QM) approach, using density functional theory (DFT), with B3LYP/D3 basis set. These calculations shed light on the electronic properties and reactivity of LQM495. Subsequently, inhibition assays and kinetic studies of the Eis activity were used to investigate the activity of LQM495. Then, an IC50 value of 11.0 ± 1.4 µM was found for LQM495 upon Eis protein. Additionally, its Vmax, Km, and Ki parameters indicated that it is a competitive inhibitor. Lastly, this study presents LQM495 as a promising inhibitor of Mtb Eis protein, which could be further explored for developing novel anti-TB drugs in the future.

2.
Appl Radiat Isot ; 210: 111366, 2024 Aug.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38796997

A systematic study of the distribution of the Naturally Occurring Radioactivity in stone dust and crushed stone, has been carried out with an objective of establishing reliable baseline data on the radiation level and hence to evaluate hazard indices approach and the production of radioactive heat (RHP) due to radiation exposure to the workers and to the inhabitants of the studied area. Twenty-six samples have been collected from different locations in the State of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). To calculate the specific activity, gamma ray spectrometry and a detector of High Purity Germanium (HPGe; Canberra, 30% relative efficiency) was used. The activity concentration of 238U, 226Ra 232Th and 40K ranged from 29.3 ± 18.6 to 206.8 ± 21.5 Bq kg-1, 30.3 ± 1.0 to 134.3 ± 1.8, 27.9 ± 0.7 to 86.2 ± 0.9 Bq kg-1, and 734.9 ± 35.1 to 1204.8 ± 53.5 Bq kg-1, respectively. The mean values of the Iex, Iin, Iγ, Iα, AUI, IRP112Rn, IPA, IPI and IYu indices were 0.68 ± 0.09, 0.92 ± 0.12, 0.93 ± 0.12, 0.43 ± 0.07, 0.88 ± 0.20, 1.25 ± 0.21, 0.34 ± 0.05, 0.75 ± 0.10, 0.63 ± 0.08 and 34. ± 6.31, respectively. The average radioactive heat production (RHP) of 2.01 ± 0.28 µ Wm-3 was above the values found in the literature, which may contribute to the heat flow in the study area because the raw materials that make up the samples showed a high value of environmental radioactivity. The Brazilian Hazard Index to assess the radiological risk of crushed stone and stone dust was created and the average value was 0.74 ± 0.10, a value below 1, which means only moderate control over the use of these materials, with no indication of restriction to the its use.

3.
Hered Cancer Clin Pract ; 22(1): 6, 2024 May 13.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38741120

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancers (CRCs) in the Lynch syndromes have been assumed to emerge through an accelerated adenoma-carcinoma pathway. In this model adenomas with deficient mismatch repair have an increased probability of acquiring additional cancer driver mutation(s) resulting in more rapid progression to malignancy. If this model was accurate, the success of colonoscopy in preventing CRC would be a function of the intervals between colonoscopies and mean sojourn time of detectable adenomas. Contrary to expectations, colonoscopy did not decrease incidence of CRC in the Lynch syndromes and shorter colonoscopy intervals have not been effective in reducing CRC incidence. The prospective Lynch Syndrome Database (PLSD) was designed to examine these issues in carriers of pathogenic variants of the mis-match repair (path_MMR) genes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the CRC and colorectal adenoma incidences in 3,574 path_MLH1, path_MSH2, path_MSH6 and path_PMS2 carriers subjected to regular colonoscopy with polypectomy, and considered the results based on sojourn times and stochastic probability paradigms. RESULTS: Most of the path_MMR carriers in each genetic group had no adenomas. There was no association between incidences of CRC and the presence of adenomas. There was no CRC observed in path_PMS2 carriers. CONCLUSIONS: Colonoscopy prevented CRC in path_PMS2 carriers but not in the others. Our findings are consistent with colonoscopy surveillance blocking the adenoma-carcinoma pathway by removing identified adenomas which might otherwise become CRCs. However, in the other carriers most CRCs likely arised from dMMR cells in the crypts that have an increased mutation rate with increased stochastic chaotic probabilities for mutations. Therefore, this mechanism, that may be associated with no or only a short sojourn time of MSI tumours as adenomas, could explain the findings in our previous and current reports.

4.
J Pharm Pharmacol ; 2024 May 11.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38733604

OBJECTIVES: This work investigated the acute antinociceptive effect of a synthetic chalcone, 4-dimethylamino chalcone (DMAC), as well as its effects on vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy (VIPN) in mice. METHODS: The inhibitory activity of myeloperoxidase was assessed by measuring HOCl formation. Formalin and hot plate tests were used to study the acute antinociceptive effect of DMAC. VIPN was induced through the administration of vincristine sulphate (0.1 mg/kg, i.p., 14 days). Then, DMSO, DMAC (10 or 30 mg/kg; i.p.), or pregabalin (10 mg/kg, i.p.) were administered for 14 consecutive days. Thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia were evaluated before and after VIPN induction and on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 of treatment. Neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation were assessed through immunohistochemistry for NF200, iNOS, and arginase-1 within the sciatic nerve. KEY FINDINGS: DMAC inhibited myeloperoxidase activity in vitro and presented an acute antinociceptive effect in both formalin and hot plate tests, with the involvement of muscarinic and opioid receptors. Treatment with 30 mg/kg of DMAC significantly attenuated thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia and prevented macrophage proinflammatory polarisation in VIPN mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that DMAC, acting through different mechanisms, effectively attenuates VIPN.

5.
Front Vet Sci ; 11: 1325198, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38605925

Feed additives such as monensin (MON) and virginiamycin (VM) are commonly utilized in feedlot diets to enhance rumen fermentation. Nevertheless, the precise effects of combining MON and VM during specific feedlot periods and the advantages of this combination remain unclear. This study was designed to investigate the effects of withdrawal of MON when associated with VM during the adaptation and finishing periods on ruminal metabolism, feeding behavior, and nutrient digestibility in Nellore cattle. The experimental design was a 5 × 5 Latin square, where each period lasted 28 days. Five rumen-cannulated Nellore yearling bulls were used (414,86 ± 21,71 kg of body weight), which were assigned to five treatments: (1) MON during the entire feeding period; (2) VM during the entire feeding period; (3) MON + VM during the adaptation period and only VM during the finishing period 1 and 2; (4) MON + VM during the entire feeding period; (5) MON + VM during the adaptation and finishing period 1 and only VM during the finishing period 2. For the finishing period 1, animals fed T3 had improved potential degradability of dry matter (p = 0.02). Cattle fed T3 and T5 had the highest crude protein degradability when compared to animals receiving T2 (p = 0.01). Animals fed T2 and T3 had reduced the time (p < 0.01) and area under pH 6.2 (p = 0.02). Moreover, animals fed T4 had greater population of protozoa from the genus Diplodinium (p = 0.04) when compared to those from animals fed T2, T3 and T5. For the finishing period 2, animals fed T3 had greater starch degradability when compared to animals receiving T4 and T5 (p = 0.04). Animals fed T3, T4 and T5 had increased the duration of time in which pH was below 5.6 (p = 0.03). The area under the curve for ruminal pH 5.2 and pH 5.6 was higher for the animals fed T3 (p = 0.01), and the area under pH 6.2 was higher for the animals fed T3 and T5 (p < 0.01) when compared to animals receiving T2. There is no substantial improvement on the rumen fermentation parameters by the concurrent utilization of MON and VM molecules, where the higher starch and protein degradability did not improve the rumen fermentation.

6.
Appl Radiat Isot ; 207: 111266, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38461629

Brazil is the fourth largest cement consumer in the world and the largest producer in Latin America, around 1.3% of global production. The main inputs in the manufacture of cement are limestone and clay. Few studies have been carried out in the country on the risk of these materials used in civil construction. Therefore, the objective of this present work is to evaluate the radiological danger that they can present to society. Gamma spectrometry analysis on 16 samples of different brands of cement used as construction material in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) was performed in this study, using an HPGe detector and the Genie 2000 data acquisition software. Samples were set to count for an accumulation time of 14,400 s (4 h) and all measurements were corrected to eliminate background and backscattering. Activity concentrations are determined for 226Ra was from (41.2 ± 1.6 to 174.9 ± 3.9) Bq kg-1, 232Th was from (15.7 ± 0.5 to 43.1 ± 0.7) Bq kg-1 and 40K was from (82.6 ± 7.2 to 254 ± 17) Bq kg-1. To assess radiological health risks: mean values of Radium Activity Equivalent 150.0 ± 3.4 Bq kg-1, Annual Gonadal Dose Equivalent 468 ± 11 µSv year-1 and Lifetime Excess Cancer Risk (ELCR) 2.42 ± 0.06 were calculated. Total Absorbed Dose Rates ranged from 72.2 ± 1.7 to 225.1 ± 5.2 nGy h-1. The damage to collective health was also estimated from the annual effective dose rates with an estimated total cost of damage to health of US$ 130 million. Values are generally within global limits reported by UNSCEAR.


Radiation Monitoring , Radioactivity , Radium , Soil Pollutants, Radioactive , Potassium Radioisotopes/analysis , Thorium/analysis , Radiation Monitoring/methods , Brazil , Construction Materials/analysis , Radium/analysis , Soil Pollutants, Radioactive/analysis , Spectrometry, Gamma
7.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 5126, 2024 03 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38429337

The utilization of biochar's as soil amendments for enhancing nutrient retention in subsoils present potential limitations. To address this issue, we conducted a greenhouse experiment to assess the effects of various biochar's derived from animal manures (swine manure, poultry litter, cattle manure) and plant residues (rice straw, soybean straw, corn straw) when applied to surface of an acidic soil. Our study focused on wheat crops under a no-tillage system, with a subsequent evaluation of the residual impacts on soybeans. The experimental design involved the application of biochar's at different rates i.e. 10 and 20 Mg ha-1, followed by the assessment of their influence on NPK levels, pH, and exchangeable Al in stratified soil layers (0-5, 5-10, 10-15, and 15-25 cm). Furthermore, we investigated the interplay between biochar doses and the application of nitrogen (N) in the top 5 cm of soil, specifically examining NO 3 - , NH 4 + , P and K levels. Our findings revealed that in the top 5 cm of soil, biochar doses and N application significantly affected NO 3 - , NH 4 + , P and K concentrations. However, in deeper soil layers, no significant differences were observed among biochar doses with or without N application. Interestingly, K levels were impacted throughout all soil depths, regardless of the presence or absence of N application. Moreover, biochar application up to a 5 cm depth induced favorable changes in soil pH and reduced exchangeable Al. In contrast, deeper layers experienced a decrease in soil pH and an increase in exchangeable Al following biochar treatment. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that biochar's can effectively retain NPK nutrients, enhance soil pH, and decrease exchangeable Al, independent of the type and dosage of application under a no-tillage system. Nonetheless, the efficacy of biochar amendments may vary with soil depth and type of nutrient, warranting careful consideration for maximizing their benefits in sustainable agricultural practices.


Charcoal , Manure , Animals , Cattle , Swine , Charcoal/chemistry , Soil/chemistry , Nutrients , Glycine max
8.
Anim Nutr ; 16: 395-408, 2024 Mar.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38371472

The present study was to evaluate the effect of trace minerals (Zn, Mn, and Cu) from complexed amino acid minerals (ZMCAA) and bis-glycinate chelated minerals (ZMCGly) in laying hen diets on performance, internal and external egg quality, yolk mineral deposition, intestinal morphometry, and bone characteristics. From 78 to 98 weeks of age, 400 White LSL-Lite strain laying hens were distributed in a randomized design with 4 treatments with 10 replicates per treatment. Treatments were distributed in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement using either Zn, Mn, and Cu of ZMCAA or ZMCGly source at 2 levels: low (20, 20, and 3.5 mg/kg of Zn, Mn, and Cu, respectively) or high (40, 40, and 7 mg/kg of Zn, Mn, and Cu, respectively). The analysis of variance was performed, and in cases where differences were observed, the means were compared using Tukey's test (P < 0.05). The source and level of trace mineral supplementation had a significant impact on the performance of laying hens. Hens fed ZMCAA had higher egg production (P = 0.01), egg weight (P = 0.02), egg mass (P = 0.01), and lower feed conversion ratio (P = 0.05) compared to those fed ZMCGly. The ZMCAA supplementation showed higher albumen height (P = 0.01), albumen weight (P = 0.01), and eggshell thickness (P < 0.01). The deposition of Zn (P < 0.01), Mn (P < 0.01), and Cu (P < 0.01) in the egg yolk was greater for hens received ZMCAA. Tibia weight (P = 0.04) and bone densitometry (P < 0.01) in the tibia were higher with ZMCAA supplementation. In the small intestine, ZMCAA resulted in longer villi (P = 0.02) and shorter crypt depth (P = 0.01) in the duodenum. Jejunum and ileum measurements were influenced by the level and source of trace minerals (P < 0.05). Laying hens fed ZMCAA exhibited superior performance, egg quality, deposition of trace minerals in the egg yolk, and bone density compared to hens fed ZMCGly. In this study, older laying hens supplemented with ZMCAA at lower levels demonstrated adequate levels of supplementation.

9.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 4682, 2024 02 26.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38409185

Malaria can have severe long-term effects. Even after treatment with antimalarial drugs eliminates the parasite, survivors of cerebral malaria may suffer from irreversible brain damage, leading to cognitive deficits. Angiotensin II, a natural human peptide hormone that regulates blood pressure, has been shown to be active against Plasmodium spp., the etiologic agent of malaria. Here, we tested two Ang II derivatives that do not elicit vasoconstriction in mice: VIPF, a linear tetrapeptide, which constitutes part of the hydrophobic portion of Ang II; and Ang II-SS, a disulfide-bridged derivative. The antiplasmodial potential of both peptides was evaluated with two mouse models: an experimental cerebral malaria model and a mouse model of non-cerebral malaria. The latter consisted of BALB/c mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA. The peptides had no effect on mean blood pressure and significantly reduced parasitemia in both mouse models. Both peptides reduced the SHIRPA score, an assay used to assess murine health and behavior. However, only the constrained derivative (Ang II-SS), which was also resistant to proteolytic degradation, significantly increased mouse survival. Here, we show that synthetic peptides derived from Ang II are capable of conferring protection against severe manifestations of malaria in mouse models while overcoming the vasoconstrictive side effects of the parent peptide.


Antimalarials , Malaria, Cerebral , Animals , Mice , Humans , Malaria, Cerebral/drug therapy , Malaria, Cerebral/prevention & control , Malaria, Cerebral/parasitology , Angiotensin II/pharmacology , Angiotensin II/therapeutic use , Disease Models, Animal , Antimalarials/pharmacology , Antimalarials/therapeutic use , Peptides/pharmacology , Peptides/therapeutic use , Plasmodium berghei/physiology , Mice, Inbred C57BL
10.
Appl Radiat Isot ; 205: 111157, 2024 Mar.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38176332

The presence of naturally occurring radioactivity in sand and other building materials results in indoor and outdoor exposure to the public. Sand is one of the main components in civil construction alongside cement, crushed stone and bricks. Thus, this research was carried out in twenty sand samples with the objective of investigating the hazard indices of natural radiation, due to the presence of 238U, 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in sand samples collected in some locations in the state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), analyzing by gamma spectrometry and using an HPGe detector. The technique used for gamma analysis was gamma spectrometry, and the software used to analyze peaks and obtain counts was LabSOCS. In this context, the average activity concentration values of 226Ra (66.7 ± 1.2) and 40K (647 ± 31) Bq kg-1 are higher than the world mean activity concentration of 50, 50 and 500 Bq kg-1 for these three radionuclides. However, the value of 232Th (40.6 ± 0.7) Bq kg-1 and Raeq (175 ± 5) Bq kg-1 are less than the world average of 50 Bq kg-1 and 370 Bq kg-1, respectively. The estimation of the average values for Annual Effective Dose (0.51 ± 0.01) and Dutch Radiation Performance Index (0.52 ± 0.01) was carried out, with values below the maximum recommended limit for the public. Only one sample had a higher value and the other samples are within the levels required for environmental control. However, the mean values found in this present study, when compared to those of other authors mentioned here, showed higher values. Therefore, most samples have safe values to be used by people in building their homes.

11.
Poult Sci ; 103(3): 103394, 2024 Mar.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38194830

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency and capacity of the probiotic composed of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, in improving the zootechnical performance of broiler chickens challenged with Eimeria spp. and Clostridium perfringens. The broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design in poultry isolators (12 birds each), resulting in 3 treatments: T1 (control, no challenge and no Bacillus in diet), T2 (challenged with Eimeria spp., followed by Clostridium perfringens infection and no Bacillus in the diet), and T3 (challenged with Eimeria spp., Clostridium perfringens and treated with Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens). They were evaluated for a period of 29 d, divided into preinitial (1-7 d of age), initial (8-21 d), and growth (22-29 d) phases. Assessments of body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion were conducted, along with the classification of the scores and optical microscopy of the tract gastrointestinal. The animals challenged and treated with the probiotic containing Bacillus spp. showed improved indicators of zootechnical performance. Additionally, the animals challenged and treated (T3) had a better score for intestinal lesions compared to the other treatment groups. Therefore, the probiotic consisting of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens could be considered an effective option for disease prevention and improving the zootechnical performance of broiler chickens.


Bacillus amyloliquefaciens , Bacillus , Eimeria , Enteritis , Animals , Bacillus subtilis , Chickens , Clostridium perfringens , Enteritis/veterinary
12.
Curr Protein Pept Sci ; 25(1): 12-26, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37653631

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common type of cancer that affects the central nervous system (CNS). It currently accounts for about 2% of diagnosed malignant tumors worldwide, with 296,000 new cases reported per year. The first-choice treatment consists of surgical resection, radiotherapy, and adjuvant chemotherapy, which increases patients' survival by 15 months. New clinical and pre-clinical research aims to improve this prognosis by proposing the search for new drugs that effectively eliminate cancer cells, circumventing problems such as resistance to treatment. One of the promising therapeutic strategies in the treatment of GBM is the inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, which is closely related to the process of tumor carcinogenesis. This review sought to address the main scientific studies of synthetic or natural drug prototypes that target specific therapy co-directed via the PI3K pathway, against human glioblastoma.


Brain Neoplasms , Glioblastoma , Humans , Glioblastoma/drug therapy , Glioblastoma/genetics , Glioblastoma/metabolism , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism , Signal Transduction , Brain Neoplasms/drug therapy , Brain Neoplasms/genetics , Brain Neoplasms/pathology
13.
Brain Res ; 1822: 148669, 2024 01 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37951562

Cerebral malaria (CM) pathogenesis is described as a multistep mechanism. In this context, monocytes have been implicated in CM pathogenesis by increasing the sequestration of infected red blood cells to the brain microvasculature. In disease, endothelial activation is followed by reduced monocyte rolling and increased adhesion. Nowadays, an important challenge is to identify potential pro-inflammatory stimuli that can modulate monocytes behavior. Our group have demonstrated that bradykinin (BK), a pro-inflammatory peptide involved in CM, is generated during the erythrocytic cycle of P. falciparum and is detected in culture supernatant (conditioned medium). Herein we investigated the role of BK in the adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells of blood brain barrier (BBB). To address this issue human monocytic cell line (THP-1) and human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMECs) were used. It was observed that 20% conditioned medium from P. falciparum infected erythrocytes (Pf-iRBC sup) increased the adhesion of THP-1 cells to hBMECs. This effect was mediated by BK through the activation of B2 and B1 receptors and involves the increase in ICAM-1 expression in THP-1 cells. Additionally, it was observed that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, captopril, enhanced the effect of both BK and Pf-iRBC sup on THP-1 adhesion. Together these data show that BK, generated during the erythrocytic cycle of P. falciparum, could play an important role in adhesion of monocytes in endothelial cells lining the BBB.


Blood-Brain Barrier , Bradykinin , Cell Adhesion , Malaria, Cerebral , Malaria, Falciparum , Plasmodium falciparum , Humans , Bradykinin/metabolism , Cell Adhesion/physiology , Culture Media, Conditioned/pharmacology , Endothelial Cells/drug effects , Endothelial Cells/physiology , Erythrocytes/parasitology , Malaria, Cerebral/metabolism , Malaria, Cerebral/parasitology , Malaria, Falciparum/metabolism , Malaria, Falciparum/parasitology , Monocytes/physiology , Plasmodium falciparum/physiology , Blood-Brain Barrier/physiopathology
14.
Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg ; 41(12): 674-682, 2023 Dec.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38085187

Background: Melasma results from the imbalance of the mechanisms that regulate skin pigmentation, causing the appearance of hyperpigmented patches. Treatment includes topical and oral agents, chemical peelings, microneedling, and laser therapy. The picosecond laser was developed to minimize pain and skin discoloration, which can sometimes be associated with laser treatments. It emits short pulses of energy that last from 300 to 500 picoseconds, leading to a more significant fragmentation of melanin, with miniminal risk of scarring and thermal lesions in the surrounding skin. Objective: The authors aimed to review the use of picosecond laser in the treatment of melasma and further provide an overview of the other current available options. Conclusions: While the use of picosecond laser for the treatment of melasma has yielded good results, further studies with longer follow-up periods and a higher number of patients are needed.


Laser Therapy , Lasers, Solid-State , Low-Level Light Therapy , Melanosis , Humans , Lasers, Solid-State/therapeutic use , Melanosis/radiotherapy , Skin , Low-Level Light Therapy/methods
15.
BrJP ; 6(4): 465-468, Oct.-Dec. 2023.
Article En | LILACS-Express | LILACS | ID: biblio-1527977

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a rare form of chronic inflammatory disease involving large vessels, with uncertain etiology, with chest pain as a common and challenging symptom, resulting from inflammation in the aortic root or arch, pulmonary artery or coronary arteries. The objective of this study was to describe the use of intravenous lidocaine to treat severe and refractory chest pain secondary to TA. CASE REPORT: A 33-year-old female patient diagnosed with TA, with severe chest pain that was difficult to manage, was admitted after consulting an emergency department. The pain was unresponsive to traditional treatment after a week of drug adjustments. As a therapeutic option, a Sympathetic Venous Blockade (SVB) with lidocaine was chosen, achieving a reduction in pain from 10 to 3 on the Visual Analog Scale. Infliximab was administered before discharge. The patient was re-evaluated at an outpatient appointment after 30 days. CONCLUSION: This strategy for the treatment of severe chest pain allowed for pain reduction and relief.


RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A arterite de Takayasu (AT) é uma forma rara de doença inflamatória crônica envolvendo grandes vasos, com etiologia incerta, tendo a dor torácica como um sintoma comum e desafiador, consequente à inflamação na raiz ou arco aórtico, artéria pulmonar ou coronárias. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar a utilização da lidocaína por via endovenosa na abordagem da dor torácica intensa e refratária secundária à AT. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo feminino, 33 anos, com diagnóstico de AT, dor torácica intensa de difícil manejo, internada após consulta em serviço de emergência. Dor não responsiva ao tratamento tradicional após uma semana de ajustes em fármacos. Como opção terapêutica, foi escolhido o Bloqueio Simpático Venoso (BSV) com lidocaína, obtendo redução da dor de 10 para 3 na Escala Analógica Visual. Antes da alta hospitalar foi administrado infliximabe. Paciente foi reavaliada em consulta ambulatorial após 30 dias. CONCLUSÃO: Esta estratégia fora tratamento da dor torácica intensa permitiu redução e alívio da dor.

16.
J Fungi (Basel) ; 9(11)2023 Nov 16.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37998914

Soybean sudden death syndrome (SDS) is a destructive disease that causes substantial yield losses in South and North America. Whereas four Fusarium species were identified as the causal agents, F. virguliforme is the primary SDS-causing pathogen in North America and it also contributes substantially to SDS in Argentina. In this study, we comparatively analyzed genome assemblies of four F. virguliforme strains and identified 29 informative microsatellite markers. Sixteen of the 29 markers were used to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of this pathogen in a collection of 90 strains from Argentina and the USA. A total of 37 multilocus genotypes (MLGs) were identified, including 10 MLGs in Argentina and 26 in the USA. Only MLG2, the most dominant MLG, was found in both countries. Analyses with three different approaches showed that these MLGs could be grouped into three clusters. Cluster IA consisting of four MLGs exclusively from the USA has much higher genetic diversity than the other two clusters, suggesting that it may be the ancestral cluster although additional data are necessary to support this hypothesis. Clusters IB and II consisted of 13 and 21 MLGs, respectively. MLGs belonging to these two clusters were present in all four sampled states in Argentina and all five sampled states in the USA.

17.
Anal Methods ; 15(42): 5683-5691, 2023 Nov 02.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37861715

In the present work, we report the development of a novel cotton thread-based colorimetric sensor modified by carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and cuprizone (CPZ) with smartphone detection and its application for the quantitative determination of cupric ions in water and cachaça. The cotton thread/smartphone detection-based colorimetric method is an easily affordable, low-cost technique which allows one to perform real-time and on-field determination analyses, especially with limited financial resources. The method involves the complexation of Cu(II) with CPZ, which causes a change in the coloration of the cotton thread from a shade of white to blue in the detection zone of the colorimetric sensor. The immobilization of CPZ on CMC in the cotton thread leads to the pre-concentration of Cu(II) via a complexation mechanism with colorimetric reaction. The application of the colorimetric sensor allows the quantification of copper in the range from 1 to 12 mg L-1, with a low limit of detection of 0.21 mg L-1. In addition, the recovery assays conducted in samples of water and cachaça resulted in recovery percentages ranging from 84.9% to 107%, which is indicative of a precise method. To validate the precision of the proposed colorimetric method, the values obtained from the quantification analysis were compared with those of the flame atomic absorption spectrometry and a good agreement at the 95% confidence level was obtained.

18.
Hered Cancer Clin Pract ; 21(1): 19, 2023 Oct 11.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37821984

The recognition of dominantly inherited micro-satellite instable (MSI) cancers caused by pathogenic variants in one of the four mismatch repair (MMR) genes MSH2, MLH1, MSH6 and PMS2 has modified our understanding of carcinogenesis. Inherited loss of function variants in each of these MMR genes cause four dominantly inherited cancer syndromes with different penetrance and expressivities: the four Lynch syndromes. No person has an "average sex "or a pathogenic variant in an "average Lynch syndrome gene" and results that are not stratified by gene and sex will be valid for no one. Carcinogenesis may be a linear process from increased cellular division to localized cancer to metastasis. In addition, in the Lynch syndromes (LS) we now recognize a dynamic balance between two stochastic processes: MSI producing abnormal cells, and the host's adaptive immune system's ability to remove them. The latter may explain why colonoscopy surveillance does not reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer in LS, while it may improve the prognosis. Most early onset colon, endometrial and ovarian cancers in LS are now cured and most cancer related deaths are after subsequent cancers in other organs. Aspirin reduces the incidence of colorectal and other cancers in LS. Immunotherapy increases the host immune system's capability to destroy MSI cancers. Colonoscopy surveillance, aspirin prevention and immunotherapy represent major steps forward in personalized precision medicine to prevent and cure inherited MSI cancer.

19.
Appl Radiat Isot ; 201: 111020, 2023 Nov.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37729724

The term "commercial ornamental stones" comprises different natural stones with different mineralogical components and the distribution and amount of natural radionuclides depended on the mineralogy. Few studies on natural radioactivity in ornamental stones carried out in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and the present work were carried out in order to analyze the distribution of activity concentration in these materials. The activity concentration of 238U, 235U, 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in Ornamental Stones measured using γ-ray spectrometry to estimate the radiation hazard as well as establishing a database for radioactivity levels. Samples were collected in stores in Rio de Janeiro, carefully transported, weighed, packed with PVC film and left to rest for at least 45 days to reach secular equilibrium. Samples analyzed by gamma spectrometry using a hyper pure germanium detector (HPGE). Detection efficiency for each sample was obtained using LabSOCS software. The activity concentrations for samples were within the ranges (0.83 ± 0.15 to 39.96 ± 1.19, 8.04 ± 2.54 to 111.36 ± 13.33, 0.43 ± 0.03 to 264.58 ± 0.98, BDL to 8.17± 0.65 and 1.30 ± 0.57 to 1567.01 ± 65.08) Bq⋅kg-1 for 238U, 226Ra, 232Th, 235U and 40K, respectively. The world average for building materials is 50 Bq⋅kg-1 for 238U, 50 Bq.kg-1 for 232Th and 500 Bq⋅kg-1 for 40K. In the present work, the average for granite was 19.43 ± 0.39 Bq⋅kg-1 for 238U, 56.70 ± 1.13 Bq⋅kg-1 for 232Th and 1113.28 ± 20.27 Bq⋅kg-1 for 40K, thus the values for 232Th and 238U are above the world average. Analyzing for the granite that showed the highest concentrations of activity the average values of Transport Rate was 3.12 ± 0.04 Bq⋅m-2⋅s-1, Emanation Rate was 0.16 ± 0.00 Bq⋅kg-1⋅s-1, Exhalation Flow was 530.26 ± 6.05 Bq⋅m-3, Effective Equivalent Dose Due to Radon Exposure was 0.78 ± 0.01 WLM⋅year-1 and Annual Effective Dose Due to Radon and Thoron was 7.02 ± 0.10 mSv⋅year-1. Annual Effective Dose Due to Radon and Thoron it is above the annual limit for public individuals which is 1 mSv⋅year-1 and below the occupationally exposed individual, which is 20 mSv⋅year-1 in an average of 5 years, it does not exceed the maximum level recommended by ICRP-60.

20.
Front Psychiatry ; 14: 1210155, 2023.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37671290

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) may significantly impact the well-being of patients and their families. The therapeutic use of cannabis for ASD has gained interest due to its promising results and low side effects, but a consensus on treatment guidelines is lacking. In this study, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 20 patients with autistic symptoms who were treated with full-spectrum cannabis extracts (FCEs) in a response-based, individually-tailored dosage regimen. The daily dosage and relative proportions of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were adjusted based on treatment results following periodic clinical evaluation. Most patients (80%) were treated for a minimum of 6 months. We have used a novel, detailed online patient- or caregiver-reported outcome survey that inquired about core and comorbid symptoms, and quality of life. We also reviewed patients' clinical files, and no individual condition within the autistic spectrum was excluded. This real-life approach enabled us to gain a clearer appraisal of the ample scope of benefits that FCEs can provide for ASD patients and their families. Eighteen patients started with a CBD-rich FCE titrating protocol, and in three of them, the CBD-rich (CBD-dominant) FCE was gradually complemented with low doses of a THC-rich (THC-dominant) FCE based on observed effects. Two other patients have used throughout treatment a blend of two FCEs, one CBD-rich and the other THC-rich. The outcomes were mainly positive for most symptoms, and only one patient from each of the two above-mentioned situations displayed important side effects one who has used only CBD-rich FCE throughout the treatment, and another who has used a blend of CBD-Rich and THC-rich FCEs. Therefore, after FCE treatment, 18 out of 20 patients showed improvement in most core and comorbid symptoms of autism, and in quality of life for patients and their families. For them, side effects were mild and infrequent. Additionally, we show, for the first time, that allotriophagy (Pica) can be treated by FCEs. Other medications were reduced or completely discontinued in most cases. Based on our findings, we propose guidelines for individually tailored dosage regimens that may be adapted to locally available qualified FCEs and guide further clinical trials.

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