Symptoms of COVID-19 in children.

The aim of this study was to review the symptomatic manifestations of COVID-19 in children in the scientific literature. An integrative review of studies published between December 2019 and September 5, 2021, from the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Web of Science, Scopus, Literatura Latino-Americana em Ciência de Saúde, and Base de Dados de Enfermagem databases, was carried out to answer the following research question: What symptomatic manifestations does COVID-19 cause in children?". Twenty articles were included. The main symptoms described were fever, cough, diarrhea, vomiting, sore throat, dyspnea, headache, abdominal pain, malaise, and weakness or tiredness. The findings of this review can contribute to the diagnosis and clinical decision-making of the health team by providing information that facilitates the identification of COVID-19 in the target population, favoring early identification, better care, and consequently a better prognosis.

Symptoms of COVID-19 in children

The aim of this study was to review the symptomatic manifestations of COVID-19 in children in the scientific literature. An integrative review of studies published between December 2019 and September 5, 2021, from the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Web of Science, Scopus, Literatura Latino-Americana em Ciência de Saúde, and Base de Dados de Enfermagem databases, was carried out to answer the following research question: What symptomatic manifestations does COVID-19 cause in children?". Twenty articles were included. The main symptoms described were fever, cough, diarrhea, vomiting, sore throat, dyspnea, headache, abdominal pain, malaise, and weakness or tiredness. The findings of this review can contribute to the diagnosis and clinical decision-making of the health team by providing information that facilitates the identification of COVID-19 in the target population, favoring early identification, better care, and consequently a better prognosis.

Sticholysin II shows similar immunostimulatory properties to LLO stimulating dendritic cells and MHC-I restricted T cell responses of heterologous antigen.

Induction of CD8+ T cell responses against tumor cells and intracellular pathogens is an important goal of modern vaccinology. One approach of translational interest is the use of liposomes encapsulating pore-forming proteins (PFPs), such as Listeriolysin O (LLO), which has shown efficacy at priming strong and sustained CD8+ T cell responses. Recently, we have demonstrated that Sticholysin II (StII), a PFP from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus, co-encapsulated into liposomes with ovalbumin (OVA) was able to stimulate, antigen presenting cells, antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and anti-tumor activity in mice. In the present study, we aimed to compare StII and LLO in terms of their abilities to stimulate dendritic cells and to induce major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I restricted T cell responses against OVA. Interestingly, StII exhibited similar abilities to LLO in vitro of inducing dendritic cells maturation, as measured by increased expression of CD40, CD80, CD86 and MHC-class II molecules, and of stimulating OVA cross-presentation to a CD8+ T cell line. Remarkably, using an ex vivo Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSpot Assay (ELISPOT) to monitor gamma interferon (INF-γ) producing effector memory CD8+ T cells, liposomal formulations containing either StII or LLO induced comparable frequencies of OVA-specific INF-γ producing CD8+ T cells in mice that were sustained in time. However, StII-containing liposomes stimulated antigen-specific memory CD8+ T cells with a higher potential to secrete IFN-γ than liposomes encapsulating LLO. This StII immunostimulatory property further supports its use for the rational design of T cell vaccines against cancers and intracellular pathogens. In summary, this study indicates that StII has immunostimulatory properties similar to LLO, despite being evolutionarily distant PFPs.

Synthesis of benzoylthiourea derivatives and analysis of their antibacterial performance against planktonic Staphylococcus aureus and its biofilms.

Following the appearance of several antimicrobial agents to control the spread of infections, two major challenges have emerged: (i) the occurrence and blowout of multiresistant bacteria and the increase of chronic diseases and (ii) difficult-to-eradicate infections. In this study, we tested five benzoylthiourea derivatives for their ability to inhibit and stop bacterial growth and evaluated the possible influence of 1,2,4-triazolyl-benzoylthiourea derivative 4 on the formation and eradication of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. Benzoylthiourea derivatives 4, 6, 10, 11 and 13 were obtained in one or two steps with low cost and subjected to tests to identify their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration. In vitro tests were also performed to assess their effects on biofilm formation and in preformed biofilms and scanning electron microscopy was used to visualize the effects on biofilm formation. The 1,2,4-triazolyl-benzoylthiourea derivative 4 showed bacteriostatic activity against the S. aureus HU25 clinical strain with an MIC of 16 µg ml-1 , which is below the toxic concentration (at 2500 µg ml-1 , 62·25% of the cells remained viable). Compound 4 also effectively prevented biofilm formation at the three subinhibitory concentrations tested (1/2 MIC, 1/4 MIC and 1/8 MIC) as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. For breakdown of formed biofilms, the main influence was at a subinhibitory concentration (1/2 MIC). These findings make compound 4 a strong candidate for studies on the development of new antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents.

Clinical isolates of Escherichia coli are resistant both to antibiotics and organotin compounds.

Antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli are common causative agents of human urinary tract infections. Organotin compounds (OTCs) are man-made chemicals that may affect the renal function of exposed humans and rodents. OTCs are widely recognized as bactericides. However, many environmental and a few clinically relevant bacteria have been found resistant to high concentrations of some OTCs. We examined the susceptibility from 47 E. coli clinical isolates to 12 antibiotics and 5 OTCs. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined by the fully automated Sensititre™ ARIS™ 2X system, and E. coli strains were classified as resistant, intermediate resistant, or sensitive, according to the M07-A10 and M100-S26 criteria from the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. All 47 E. coli strains were susceptible to amikacin but resistant to imipenem and intermediate resistant to ampicillin, cefuroxime, and chloramphenicol. In addition, 26 strains were resistant and 21 intermediate resistant to aztreonam, 24 strains were resistant and 23 intermediate resistant to ceftazidime, 44 strains were intermediate resistant and 3 sensitive to cephalothin, and 43 strains were intermediate resistant and 4 sensitive to ciprofloxacin. Approximately half of the strains were susceptible to cefepime, cefotaxime, and gentamicin. E. coli strains were also found resistant to triphenyltin, tributyltin, dibutyltin, trimethyltin, or dimethyltin at final concentration between 10 µmol/L and 1 mmol/L, during 72-h in vitro culture. However, higher in vitro growth inhibition was induced by these OTCs in the presence of the efflux pump inhibitor carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenyl hydrazone, which suggests that efflux pumps contribute to making antibiotic-resistant E. coli also resistant to OTCs.

Renal clear cell carcinoma metastasis to submandibular gland: case report and review of the literature.

Metastases from renal clear cell carcinoma (RCCC) to the head and neck (HN) region are rare, representing 8-14% of all RCCC metastases, with the thyroid gland being the most common site of RCCC metastasis in the HN. Metastatic tumors that are located in the salivary glands have a prevalence of 5%, while the submandibular gland is only involved in 1% of the cases. We present the case of a 74-year-old female patient with metastasis to the submandibular gland, 11 years after radical nephrectomy for a RCCC.

Immunopathological evaluation of recombinant mycobacterial antigen Hsp65 expressed in Lactococcus lactis as a novel vaccine candidate.

Bovine tuberculosis (TBB) is a zoonotic disease distributed worldwide and is of great importance for public health and the livestock industry. Several experimental vaccines against this disease have been evaluated in recent years, yielding varying results. An example is the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which has been used extensively in humans and tested in cattle showing mixed results related to protection (0-80%) against Mycobacterium bovis. In this study, we used the food-grade bacterium Lactococcus lactis as an expression system for production of mycobacterial protein Hsp65. For this purpose, the construction of a replicable plasmid in strain NZ9000 L. lactis (pVElepr) was conducted, which expressed the Mycobacterium leprae Hsp65 antigen, and was recognized by traded anti-Hsp65 antibodies. The strain NZ9000-pVElepr was applied to calves that were negative to tuberculin test and the immune response was monitored. The results showed that immune response was not significantly increased in calves with NZ9000-pVElepr with respect to control groups, and no injury was observed in any lung or lymph of the calves. Finally, this study suggest that the recombinant NZ9000 strain of L. lactis may protect against the development of M. bovis infection, although studies with longer exposure to this pathogen are necessary to conclude the matter.

Population Fluctuation of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) as a Function of Altitude in Eastern Guatemala.

Population fluctuations of Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) were evaluated over a period of 12 mo in four altitudinal strata (400-750, 750-1,100, 1,100-1,450, and 1,450-1,800 meters above sea level, masl) in Eastern Guatemala. Within each altitudinal range, sampling plots were established in coffee plantations and adjacent areas, in which Jackson traps were set and baited with Trimedlure. Coffee berries and other host fruits were collected. Population density was lowest at the 400-750 masl stratum and highest at 1,450-1,800 masl. At every altitudinal range, the fluctuations of the pest were associated mainly with the availability of ripe coffee berries as a primary host. From 750-1,450 masl, the pest was also associated with the availability of sweet orange and mandarins in commercial and backyard orchards. The highest densities of the pest were recorded in the dry season. Citrus were the main alternate host where ripe coffee berries were not available. This knowledge on population dynamics of C. capitata will contribute to develop more effective area-wide pest management strategies including the use of sterile insects, natural enemies, and bait sprays.

Evaluation of push-out bond strength of four luting agents and SEM observation of the dentine/fibreglass bond interface.

AIM: To assess the dentine/fibreglass-bonded interface by scanning electron microscopy and the push-out bond strength of four luting cements. METHODOLOGY: Forty root-filled human canines, with similar root lengths, were restored with fibreglass posts and randomly divided into four groups according to the cements employed (CG Gold Label I, RelyX ARC, BisCem and RelyX U100). After standardized post-space preparation, the root dentine was pre-treated for dual-polymerizing resin cements and untreated for the other cements. The mixed luting cement paste was inserted into root canals with a spiral filler and applied to the post-surface that was seated into the root canal. After 7 days, the teeth were sectioned perpendicular to their long axis into 1-mm-thick sections and submitted to a push-out test (1 mm min(-1)). Statistical analyses were carried out by two-way anova and Tukey's tests (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The bond strength was significantly affected by the type of cement (P < 0.001) and by the longitudinal region of the root canal (P < 0.031). All cements exhibited gaps at the dentine/cement interface. CONCLUSIONS: The self-adhesive materials and the glass ionomer cements had the highest push-out bond strength values when compared with the dual-curing resin cement.

Increased coherence among striatal regions in the theta range during attentive wakefulness

The striatum, the largest component of the basal ganglia, is usually subdivided into associative, motor and limbic components. However, the electrophysiological interactions between these three subsystems during behavior remain largely unknown. We hypothesized that the striatum might be particularly active during exploratory behavior, which is presumably associated with increased attention. We investigated the modulation of local field potentials (LFPs) in the striatum during attentive wakefulness in freely moving rats. To this end, we implanted microelectrodes into different parts of the striatum of Wistar rats, as well as into the motor, associative and limbic cortices. We then used electromyograms to identify motor activity and analyzed the instantaneous frequency, power spectra and partial directed coherence during exploratory behavior. We observed fine modulation in the theta frequency range of striatal LFPs in 92.5 ± 2.5% of all epochs of exploratory behavior. Concomitantly, the theta power spectrum increased in all striatal channels (P < 0.001), and coherence analysis revealed strong connectivity (coefficients >0.7) between the primary motor cortex and the rostral part of the caudatoputamen nucleus, as well as among all striatal channels (P < 0.001). Conclusively, we observed a pattern of strong theta band activation in the entire striatum during attentive wakefulness, as well as a strong coherence between the motor cortex and the entire striatum. We suggest that this activation reflects the integration of motor, cognitive and limbic systems during attentive wakefulness.

Increased coherence among striatal regions in the theta range during attentive wakefulness.

The striatum, the largest component of the basal ganglia, is usually subdivided into associative, motor and limbic components. However, the electrophysiological interactions between these three subsystems during behavior remain largely unknown. We hypothesized that the striatum might be particularly active during exploratory behavior, which is presumably associated with increased attention. We investigated the modulation of local field potentials (LFPs) in the striatum during attentive wakefulness in freely moving rats. To this end, we implanted microelectrodes into different parts of the striatum of Wistar rats, as well as into the motor, associative and limbic cortices. We then used electromyograms to identify motor activity and analyzed the instantaneous frequency, power spectra and partial directed coherence during exploratory behavior. We observed fine modulation in the theta frequency range of striatal LFPs in 92.5 ± 2.5% of all epochs of exploratory behavior. Concomitantly, the theta power spectrum increased in all striatal channels (P < 0.001), and coherence analysis revealed strong connectivity (coefficients >0.7) between the primary motor cortex and the rostral part of the caudatoputamen nucleus, as well as among all striatal channels (P < 0.001). Conclusively, we observed a pattern of strong theta band activation in the entire striatum during attentive wakefulness, as well as a strong coherence between the motor cortex and the entire striatum. We suggest that this activation reflects the integration of motor, cognitive and limbic systems during attentive wakefulness.

Evaluation of a lateral flow assay for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis infection in dairy cattle.

A commercially available multi-antigen lateral flow assay (LFA) for detection of antibodies to Mycobacterium bovis was evaluated by testing dairy cattle in Baja California, México. Sera and tissue samples were obtained from 268 dairy cattle at a slaughterhouse and were tested by LFA, bacteriological culture, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Of 107 culture positive samples, 70 (65.4%) were positive by PCR and 49 (45.8%) were positive by LFA. The PCR and LFA gave positive results with an additional 59 (36.6%) and 77 (47.8%) of the 161 culture negative samples, respectively. The false negative rate for the PCR was 34.6% and 54.2% for the LFA. Due to the high false positive rate for both PCR and LFA observed in this study, the LFA cannot be a useful test, even in combination with PCR.

Cys mutants in functional regions of Sticholysin I clarify the participation of these residues in pore formation.

Experimental evidence shows that the mechanism of pore formation by actinoporins is a multistep process, involving binding of the water-soluble monomer to the membrane and subsequent oligomerization on the membrane surface, leading to the formation of a functional pore. However, as for other eukaryotic pore-forming toxins, the molecular details of the mechanism of membrane insertion and oligomerization are not clear. In order to obtain further insight with regard to the structure-function relationship in sticholysins, we designed and produced three cysteine mutants of recombinant sticholysin I (rStI) in relevant functional regions for membrane interaction: StI E2C and StI F15C (in the N-terminal region) and StI R52C (in the membrane binding site). The conformational characterization derived from fluorescence and CD spectroscopic studies of StI E2C, StI F15C and StI R52C suggests that replacement of these residues by Cys in rStI did not noticeably change the conformation of the protein. The substitution by Cys of Arg5² in the phosphocholine-binding site, provoked noticeable changes in rStI permeabilizing activity; however, the substitutions in the N-terminal region (Glu², Phe¹5) did not modify the toxin's permeabilizing ability. The presence of a dimerized population stabilized by a disulfide bond in the StI E2C mutant showed higher pore-forming activity than when the protein is in the monomeric state, suggesting that sticholysins pre-ensembled at the N-terminal region could facilitate pore formation.

[Cemented stems in hip arthroplasty: history and evolution]. / Vástagos cementados en la artroplastía de cadera: historia y evolución.

Despite the favorable results in cemented femoral fixation, there is a growing tendency to use uncemented stems. Due to the successful results of cementless acetabular fixation, the most versatile and easy implantation technique, to the misinformation about the "cement disease" and the poor performance of cemented stems with a rough surface. However, the advantages of cemented femoral fixation are numerous: it can be implemented successfully in femurs of diverse morphology and quality of bone, the surgeon can position the implant with the desired femoral anteversion, without it being determined by th natural femoral anteversion, very low incidence of intraoperative and postoperative fractures, allows the addition of antibiotics in patients with a history or predisposition to infection and minimal risk of postoperative leg pain during walking.

Field evaluation of the protective efficacy of Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccine against bovine tuberculosis.

The protective efficacy of Mycobacterium bovis BCG (1 x 10(6) single dose) was evaluated under field conditions. A total of 140 male Holstein Friesian calves, one to two week-old were selected. Two groups of 70 each were formed, one group was vaccinated and the other was injected with a placebo during their second week of age and followed until 12 months of age. The study considered a positive case of tuberculosis to be an animal that had a positive reaction to the three following tests in a row: tuberculin, IFNgamma PPD-B and IFNgamma ESAT6-CFP10 during the 12 months of exposure. The results showed a 59.4% efficacy (IC95%: 47.64-71.16). The non-vaccinated calves were 2.4 times more at risk of becoming infected (IC95%: 1.07-5.68) compared to vaccinated animals. As a complementary test a PCR test was performed using nasal exudates in some animals from both groups using a Mycobacterium complex detection kit. All the positive PCR reactions (5/44) were found in the non-vaccinated animals. These findings suggest that the use of the BCG vaccine, even though it is not capable of protecting 100%, does prevent TB vaccinated animals from excreting bacilli in their nasal secretions at their first year of age.

Terbinafine (250 mg/day): an effective and safe treatment of cutaneous sporotrichosis.

BACKGROUND: There are a few studies on the treatment of sporotrichosis. The standard drug used is itraconazole. However, the use of itraconazole is limited by its interaction with other drugs. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of 250 mg terbinafine for the treatment of cutaneous sporotrichosis in patients in whom itraconazole use is not possible. METHODS: We performed a descriptive study of cutaneous sporotrichosis cases treated with 250 mg terbinafine for which itraconazole was contraindicated or resulted in severe or moderate pharmacological interactions. Sporotrichosis was diagnosed based on the isolation of S. schenckii. RESULTS: Fifty patients seen between July 2005 and September 2007 were included. Forty-five (92%) patients reported contact with a sick cat and 47 (94%) presented comorbidities (high blood pressure: 64.0%; diabetes mellitus: 30.0%; dyslipidemia: 16.7%; depression: 10.0%; migraine: 2.1%; Parkinsonís disease: 2.1%; peptic ulcer disease: 2.1%; heart failure: 2.1%, and arrhythmia: 2.1%). All patients used some medication interacting with itraconazole (psycholeptics: 36.0%; antidiabetic agents: 28.0%; hypolipemiant agents: 18.0%; calcium-channel blockers: 16.0%; anticonvulsants: 8.0%; cardiotropic drugs: 6.3%; antacids: 6.3%, and antiparkinsonian agent: 2.1%). Most patients (96%) were cured within a mean period of 14 weeks. The drug was discontinued due to a skin rash in one patient. There were no cases of recurrence of the mycosis within a mean follow-up period of 37 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that 250 mg/day terbinafine is an effective and well-tolerated alternative to drug therapy of cutaneous sporotrichosis in a population in which itraconazole use is not possible.