Atividade antibacteriana de nanopartículas de polipirrol diante de Staphylococcus aureus isolados de amostras de leite de vacas e cabras com mastite / Antibacterial behavior of polypyrrole nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus isolated from cows and goats with mastitis

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial behavior of polypyrrole nanoparticles (PPy-NPs) in water against biofilm producer or not S. aureus isolated from cows and goats with mastitis. One hundred and thirty-eight isolates of S. aureus were initially evaluated for biofilm formation by spectrophotometry in microplates. In addition, the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of PPy-NPs in water for planktonic S. aureus were determined. From the bovine samples analyzed, 5 (4.46%) S. aureus isolates showed a strong biofilm production, 17 (15.18%) moderate production, 36 (32.14%) with weak production and 54 (48.21%) did not produce biofilms. Strains from goats (26) showed no biofilm production in 18 (69.23%) strains and weak biofilm production in 8 (30.76%) strains. The MIC and MBC of S. aureus to PPy-NPs were found in the same concentration (125搭/mL) in all strains tested, regardless of biofilm production or not. This finding provides a new insight into the interaction between PPy-NPs and S. aureus, and will offer potential benefits for the control of mastitis.(AU)

Moraxella bovis, Moraxella ovis and Moraxella bovoculi: biofilm formation and lysozyme activity.

AIMS: This study aimed to verify the formation of biofilms by Moraxella bovis, Moraxella ovis and Moraxella bovoculi isolates from ruminants. In addition, the lysozyme activity against the isolates of M. bovis, M. ovis and M. bovoculi in free form and in biofilms was determined. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, 54 isolates of Moraxella sp. obtained from bovine and ovine clinical samples were evaluated in vitro for capacity of biofilm formation and lysozyme susceptibility in planktonic and sessile cells. In addition, biofilms produced by four Moraxella sp. isolates were visualized under scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was possible to demonstrate, for the first time, the ability to form biofilms by M. ovis and M. bovoculi. The isolates of Moraxella sp. have the capacity to form biofilms in different intensities, varying among weak, moderate and strong. It was verified that the lysozyme shows activity on Moraxella sp. in planktonic form. However, on biofilms there was a reduction in the production, but without impairing its formation, and on consolidated biofilms the lysozyme did not have the capacity to eradicate the preformed biofilms. CONCLUSIONS: This work shows the capacity of biofilm formation by Moraxella sp. of veterinary importance. The lysozyme susceptibility of Moraxella sp. in planktonic form shows that this enzyme has bacteriostatic activity on this micro-organism and it reduced the production of biofilms. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Based on the results, it is possible to infer that the biofilm formation capacity by Moraxella sp. and the resistance to lysozyme concentrations equal to or greater than the physiological levels of the ruminant tear may be linked not only to the capacity to colonize the conjunctiva, but also to remain in this place even after healing of the lesions, being a reservoir of Moraxella sp. in a herd.

Atividade antimicrobiana in vitro de extratos de plantas do bioma caatinga em isolados de Escherichia coli de suínos / Antimicrobial activity in vitro extracts from caatinga plants in isolated Escherichia coli from pigs

RESUMO A suinocultura é uma atividade pecuária bem consolidada no Brasil. Por outro lado a colibacilose neonatal, cujo patógeno é Escherichia coli, pode diminuir a produtividade nas granjas e causar prejuízos aos produtores. O tratamento baseia-se na utilização de drogas antimicrobianas. Todavia, o uso indiscriminado dessas substâncias tem levado a seleção de cepas resistentes. Diante disso, a busca por alternativas terapêuticas, como as plantas medicinais, tem se tornado cada vez mais comum. Dessa maneira, objetivou-se determinar a atividade antimicrobiana de cinco extratos etanólicos de plantas do bioma caatinga: Amburana cearensis (Fr. Allem) A.C. Smith, Encholirium spectabile Mart., Hymenaea courbaril L, Neoglaziovia variegata Mez e Selaginella convoluta Spring frente a 43 isolados de Eschericha coli coletados de suínos. Para o teste de sensibilidade in vitro foi realizada a técnica da Concentração Bactericida Mínima (CBM) pelo método da microdiluição em microplaca. Os extratos apresentaram atividade antimicrobiana nas seguintes médias 138,75 175,28, 128,36, 127,71 e 129,33 μg/mL, respectivamente. Essa atividade antibacteriana pode estar relacionada a ação de metabólitos secundários presentes nos extratos dessas plantas. Dessa forma, nosso estudo pode contribuir para o desenvolvimento de alternativas terapêuticas no tratamento de infecções, como a colibacilose neonatal em suíno, bem como para o conhecimento acerca das plantas medicinais da Caatinga.

ABSTRACT Swine production is a well-established livestock activity in Brazil. On the other hand, the Neonatal Colibacillosis, whose pathogen is Escherichiacoli, can decrease the productivity on farms and cause losses to producers. The treatment of the disease is based on the use of antimicrobial drugs. However, the free use of these substances has led to the selection of resistant strains. Thus, the search for alternative therapies such as medicinal plants has become becoming increasingly common. In this context, we aimed to determine the antimicrobial activity of ethanol extracts of five plants from the caatinga biome: A. cearensis (Fr. Allem) AC Smith, Encholirium spectabile Mart, Hymenaea courbaril L, Neoglaziovia variegata Mez and Selaginella convoluta Spring in face of isolates of Eschericha coli collected from pigs. For the in vitro susceptibility testing, the method of Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) was chosen The extracts showed antimicrobial activity in the following averages 138.75 175.28, 128.36, 127.71 and 129.33 mg / mL, respectively. This antibacterial activity could be related to the action of secondary metabolites in the extracts of these plants. Thus, the current study can contribute to the development of alternative therapies for the treatment of infections such as swine Colibacillosis Neonatal, as well as to the knowledge of Caatinga medicinal plants.

Qualitative validation of the FACIT-fatigue scale in systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: Fatigue in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is burdensome and must be assessed using validated scales. Although the psychometric properties of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue) scale in SLE have been evaluated previously, its content validity in this disease remains to be evaluated. The study objective was, therefore, to evaluate content validity of the FACIT-Fatigue in SLE. METHODS: Three SLE focus groups (n=21) in the United States were conducted using semi-structured interviews. Participant comments were categorized by response type, and relative response strength was qualitatively assessed. RESULTS: Participants were mostly female (90%; n=19), white (57%; n=12) with a mean age of 43.7 years (range=28-70). Most scale items were considered relevant with the exception of four items for which participant interpretations varied. Consistent with the scale's measurement model, "listless" on item 3 ("I feel listless ('washed out')") was interpreted as physical or mental impairment. Participant responses to item 8 ("I am able to do my usual activities") sometimes included influence of other health conditions, which is acceptable because it is difficult to separate disease-specific and general fatigue. Some participants found item 7 ("I have energy") irrelevant and most could not relate to item 10 ("I am too tired to eat"). However, both items were intended to capture the extreme ends of fatigue (item 7, ceiling; item 10, floor). CONCLUSIONS: From a content perspective, items of the FACIT-Fatigue scale were relevant for measuring fatigue in SLE.

Resource utilization and direct medical costs in adult systemic lupus erythematosus patients from a commercially insured population.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to estimate annual health care resource use and medical costs associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a large US managed care health plan. METHODS: Subjects at least 18 years of age and with claims-based evidence of SLE (ICD-9-CM 710.0x) were identified from a health plan database. Subjects were matched on the basis of demographic and clinical characteristics to unaffected controls. Resource use and costs were determined during a fixed 12-month period. A generalized linear model (GLM) was used to adjust costs for demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: In total, 1278 newly diagnosed SLE subjects were matched to 3834 controls, and 10,152 subjects with existing SLE were matched to 30,456 controls. Health care resource use was significantly higher among SLE subjects than matched controls, including average annual numbers of ambulatory visits, specialist visits, and inpatient hospital stays (all p < 0.001). SLE subjects had significantly higher overall mean annual medical costs than matched controls (newly diagnosed: $19,178 vs. $4909; existing: $15,487 vs. $5156; both p < 0.001). Evidence of specific organ involvement including renal failure and central nervous system complications, were each associated with increased costs (both p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with SLE have high resource use and medical costs relative to controls.

Incidence and prevalence of adult systemic lupus erythematosus in a large US managed-care population.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to determine the incidence and prevalence of adult systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a large US managed-care population. METHODS: Subject inclusion in the incidence cohort required a medical claim with an SLE diagnosis and a service date from 2003 to 2008 that satisfied the following criteria: 1) ≥18 years on service date; 2) continuously enrolled for 24 months before and 12 months after service date; 3) in the 12 months after service date, ≥ one inpatient claim or ≥ two office or ER visits with an SLE diagnosis; 4) no SLE diagnosis 24 months prior to service date; and 5) no SLE medications 12 months prior to service date. Prevalence cohort subjects were identified using a similar algorithm and were not required to satisfy criteria 4) and 5). RESULTS: A total of 1,557 subjects were included in the incidence cohort, and 15,396 were included in the prevalence cohort. The overall age- and gender-adjusted SLE incidence rate (2003-2008) was 7.22 cases per 100,000 person-years. The annual prevalence of SLE (per 100,000 individuals) varied from 81.07 in 2003 to 102.94 in 2008. CONCLUSION: The SLE incidence in this large managed-care plan with geographic diversity was slightly higher than previous estimates, and the prevalence was within the range of previous estimates.

Pioglitazone in a subgroup of patients with type 2 diabetes meeting the criteria for metabolic syndrome.

Pioglitazone monotherapy and combinations were assessed in patients with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome (Adult Treatment Panel III criteria) from four worldwide randomised, multicentre, double-blind studies. Patients were treated for 52 weeks with pioglitazone (PIO, n = 1040), sulphonylurea (SU, n = 535) or metformin (MET, n = 500) PIO + SU (n = 277) or MET + SU (n = 273); or PIO + MET (n = 286) or SU + MET (n = 275). Pooled week 52 glycaemic and lipid changes were compared using analysis of covariance. Haemoglobin A(1c) decreased significantly with pioglitazone compared with sulphonylurea (p < 0.05). Fasting, 2- and 3-h plasma glucose, insulin and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance decreased significantly with pioglitazone compared with other monotherapies (p < 0.05) and decreased significantly with PIO + MET compared with SU + MET (p < 0.05). Pioglitazone, alone and with metformin, improved lipid components of diabetic dyslipidaemia more than did their respective comparison groups. Pioglitazone was associated with weight increase. In conclusion, pioglitazone provided effective glycaemic control and lipid profile improvements in patients with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.